Senior Immigration & Civil Rights Attorney

New York Civil Liberties Union; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 102,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

The NYCLU seeks a senior staff attorney (6+ years of legal experience) to conduct litigation and related advocacy in the legal department, with a focus on immigration and immigrants’ rights and on combating systemic racism.

The role collaborates across programs, mentors law students and staff, and advances the NYCLU’s mission for civil liberties, equality, and justice for all New Yorkers.

Qualifications

• Excellent writing, research, analytical, and communication skills.
• Six or more years of legal experience, with a preference for significant public-interest litigation experience.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and advocate effectively, including coordination with teams.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a diverse public-interest setting and to foster DEI.
• Demonstrated commitment to NYCLU goals.
• Prior experience with immigration, impact litigation, civil rights or constitutional law is a significant plus.
• Admission to the New York Bar.
• Fluency in Spanish is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Conduct litigation in federal/state courts and administrative forums; draft pleadings and briefs.
• Perform pre-litigation analysis, factual investigations, and legal analyses; FOIL/FOIA work; draft demand letters.
• Participate in public education through speaking engagements and publications.
• Collaborate across NYCLU departments to ensure integrated civil rights advocacy.
• Supervise and mentor law students in the NYCLU summer internship program.
• Mentor NYCLU staff attorneys.
• Develop relationships with pro bono partners and networks.

Skills

Legal writing

Legal research

Analytical ability

Communication skills

Public-interest litigation

Strategic thinking

Advocacy

DEI focus

Immigration law

Impact litigation

Civil rights

Constitutional law

Bar admission NY

Spanish language

Job description

The NYCLU seeks a senior staff attorney (6+ years of legal experience) to conduct litigation and related advocacy in the legal department, with a focus on immigration and immigrants’ rights and on combating systemic racism.

The role collaborates across programs, mentors law students and staff, and advances the NYCLU’s mission for civil liberties, equality, and justice for all New Yorkers.