Staff Attorney – Detention & Removal Defense

National Legal Aid & Defender Association; Edison (NJ); Hybrid; USD 74,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision insurance

Generous 403(b) monthly employer/con t

Paid time off

In-house trainings that offer CLE

Job summary

Legal Services of New Jersey (LSNJ) in Edison seeks candidates to provide free civil legal services to low-income New Jerseyans and to improve access to justice. The strongest candidates will have some removal/detention defense experience, and bar admission flexibility for New Jersey or District of New Jersey is preferred.

Full-time and part-time staff (25+ hours weekly) receive a comprehensive benefits package (medical, dental, vision, 403(b) monthly employer contribution, paid time off) and

Qualifications

• States and years of all bar admissions must be listed
• Strong candidate experience in removal and detention defense is preferred but not required

Job description

Position Description

Legal Services of New Jersey (LSNJ) is an Edison-based non-profit law firm that provides free civil legal assistance to low-income New Jerseyans. LSNJ seeks candidates that are interested in making a difference in our client’s lives. Our staff is diverse, including a wide variety of backgrounds, bringing varied perspectives, work experiences, life styles and cultures. Whether you’ve been in private practice or public interest, join us and help build a more just legal system for New Jersey’s most vulnerable populations. While not required, the strongest candidates will have some level of experience in removal and detention defense and related federal practice. If not admitted in New Jersey, the ability to waive into the New Jersey bar or ability to apply for admission to the District of New Jersey is strongly preferred. LSNJ offers a positive workplace among colleagues who enjoy and are passionate about their work. We encourage a supportive, collaborative and team work environment. At LSNJ, offering a comprehensive and competitive benefits package is one way we recognize our staff’s contribution to the firm and the lives of our clients.

Full-time and part-time employees who are regularly scheduled to work 25 hours or more per week are eligible for LSNJ's competitive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous 403(b) monthly employer contribution, paid time off, and in-house trainings that offer CLE credit (for licensed staff).

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision insurance
• Generous 403(b) monthly employer contribution
• Paid time off
• In-house trainings that offer CLE credit (for licensed staff)

Compensation: 2026 salary scale for this position starts at $82,000, commensurate with skill, knowledge and experience; hybrid work option after completion of 90-day assessment period.

Qualified Candidates Should Submit The Following To Be Considered

• Cover Letter describing the reasons for your interest in the position and related legal background
• Resume including the states and years of all bar admissions
• Two (2) recent legal writing samples

LSNJ is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment opportunities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristics or activity protected by law. LSNJ will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would result in an undue hardship.