Law Clerk - Compliance

The New York Immigration Coalition; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) seeks a Senior Paralegal to support a network of legal services across New York State, focusing on vulnerable immigrant communities. You will assist licensed attorneys, manage complex projects, and help onboarding and training Legal Assistants and contract staff.

Responsibilities include direct client services, intake screenings, preparing declarations and applications, organizing clinics, and improving workflow. Strong bilingual English-Spanish required.

Qualifications

• 2–4 years of immigration legal work experience under the supervision of a licensed attorney.
• Ability to collaborate with immigration attorneys and legal support staff.
• Attention to detail in preparing applications and documents to be filed with various immigration agencies.
• Familiarity with Google Workspace and Asana is a plus.
• Bilingual English- and Spanish-language speaker required.

Responsibilities

• Direct services: complete screenings/intakes; request and research client records; draft declarations and applications.
• Provide administrative support: filing, proofreading, managing supplies; support Legal Assistants.
• Support complex projects: organize legal clinics; design administrative workflows; audit data.

Skills

Attention to detail

Collaboration with attorneys

Communications management

Bilingual English-Spanish

Ability to manage inquiries

Education

Bachelor's Degree or post-secondary program recommended

Tools

Google Workspace

Asana

Job description

Legal

Team: Legal

Permanent, Full Time/Exempt (40 hours/week)

Position will require regular travel within New York State, including the regions listed above and other parts of New York State. This position is mostly on-site, with a requirement of being in the office 4 days per week and remote 1 day per week.

The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) is an umbrella policy and advocacy organization for nearly 200 groups in New York State. We represent the collective interests of New York’s diverse immigrant communities and organizations and devise solutions to advance them; advocate for laws, policies, and programs that lead to justice and opportunity for all immigrant groups; The Senior Paralegal will assist in playing a critical role in contributing to a network of legal services across several regions of New York State, with a focus on vulnerable immigrant populations and emerging legal services needs. The Senior Paralegal will contribute to the onboarding, training, and support of Legal Assistants and other full-time or contract support staff. The Senior Paralegal will report to the Senior/Staff Attorney and will work closely with internal teams as well as external partners, including legal service providers and community-based organizations.

NYIC Legal delivers limited scope legal services via legal clinics (in-person, remote, or hybrid) and remote 1:1 legal assistance. NYIC Legal also develops special projects and rapid response initiatives to serve clients caught in the midst of changing immigration laws, policies, and practice. The Senior Paralegal will ensure that the legal support services provided through this program are high quality and culturally responsive. Duties include direct services (completing screenings/intakes, requesting and researching client records, drafting declarations and applications, etc.), providing administrative support (filing, proofreading, managing supplies), and supporting the services provided by Legal Assistants. Duties also include supporting complex projects such as organizing and participating in legal clinics, designing new administrative workflows to improve efficiency and client services, and conducting audits to ensure accurate data of legal services completed.

Coordination & Provision of Legal Support Services

In coordination with their supervisor and Legal leadership, manage and/or support complex projects that expand clients’ access to legal services. Examples include organizing legal clinics, conducting trainings, creating resource materials, and implementing improved administrative workflows.

Under the supervision of a licensed attorney, meet with clients in-person and remotely to assist them in completing pro se applications or motions for relief (e.g. applications for asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), Temporary Protected Status (TPS), immigration court motions, habeas, etc.). Assistance includes collecting relevant information and documents, acting as a notary, and other related tasks.

Address rapid response needs and support special projects aimed at combating challenges arising from adverse changes in immigration law, policy, and practice.

Engage in thorough case management, including gathering, organizing, preparing, and managing the translation of client documents in advance of hearings, interviews, filing deadlines, or other appointments.

Organize applications and legal documents for review and filing.

Ensure that clients agree to a limited scope of services and consent to information sharing for the purposes of assisting with consultations and application preparation.

Pay attention to and maintain consistency across legal support services in communication with clients, document organization, and filing procedures.

Contribute to the onboarding, training, and support of other full-time or contract support staff.

Data Collection

Ensure that data is tracked and reported accurately following internal protocols. Conduct regular audits to ensure support staff across the team are entering accurate data regarding legal services completed.

Communicate regularly with data management personnel to ensure efficient and accurate tracking of legal services provided and adherence to protocols.

Adhere to, and if applicable, suggest policies and procedures to enhance the protection of personal identifying information and data privacy.

Comply with all policies and procedures designed to prevent the unauthorized practice of law, including obtaining final approval by an authorized licensed attorney before submission of any legal documents.

In coordination with Legal leadership and other program staff, ensure that clients receive legal services that are ethically sound, trauma-informed, and adhere to best practices.

Work outside of regular business hours on occasion, including evenings and weekends.

May occasionally move or carry materials weighing 50 pounds or less.

2 to 4 years of immigration legal work experience under the supervision of a licensed attorney.

• Ability to collaborate with immigration attorneys and legal support staff.


• Attention to detail, particularly in preparing applications and documents to be filed with various immigration agencies.


• Ability to manage communications and inquiries, and gather required information and documents from program participants.


• Bilingual English- and Spanish-language speaker required.


• Bachelor's Degree or post-secondary program strongly recommended.


• Familiarity with Google Workspace and Asana is a plus.


• The NYIC has a transparent and equitable salary structure. In addition to a competitive salary, the NYIC offers a full benefit plan, unlimited vacation time after 90 days of employment, paid sick time, commuter benefits and a comprehensive retirement plan.

All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination based on race, creed, color, national origin, immigration status or citizenship, sex, age, disability or marital status.