Staff Attorney - Unaccompanied Children and Youth

Project Rousseau; New York (NY); On-site; USD 73,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ICHRA health benefit

Job summary

Justworks, in partnership with Project Rousseau, is seeking a Staff Attorney (Unaccompanied Children and Youth) for its New York program. This in-person, full-time role is based at 1560 Broadway, Manhattan, NY 10036, and will focus on SIJS and related immigration matters for vulnerable immigrant youth.

The attorney will advocate in New York Family Court, prepare petitions, coordinate with caregivers and service providers, and ensure trauma-informed, client-centered representation.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Active license and good standing with the New York State Bar.
• Demonstrated experience in New York Family Court and related custody/guardianship matters.
• Experience with SIJS or immigration law is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Represent youth in New York Family Court to obtain SIJS findings and custody orders.
• Develop case strategy and prepare petitions, motions, affidavits, orders, and evidence.
• Appear in Family Court and manage cases through resolution.
• Prepare clients for court appearances using trauma-informed practices.
• File I-360 SIJS petitions and related immigration applications.

Skills

Legal writing

Oral advocacy

Problem solving

Organizational skills

Communication

Collaboration

Spanish

Pulaar

Education

J.D.

NY Bar

Job description

Staff Attorney - Unaccompanied Children and Youth

Employment type Full-time employee Department Legal Services Work location 1560 Broadway Compensation $72,500 – $95,000 annually
Final compensation will depend on the location and level at which the candidate is hired

About this job

Important: This is an in-person position in New York.

Staff Attorney (Special Immigrant Juvenile Status)

About Project Rousseau

Project Rousseau is a nonprofit organization that empowers young people in communities with the greatest need to excel in higher education. Many of the young people we serve are homeless and/or asylum seekers. Project Rousseau works at the forefront of the humanitarian migrant crisis in New York City.

Position Overview

Through Project Rousseau’s Immigration Legal Services Program, we provide high-quality, compassionate legal representation to some of New York City’s most vulnerable immigrant young people, including unaccompanied children, youth experiencing homelessness, and young people who have fled violence, persecution, abuse, or neglect. Many of the young people we serve have navigated extraordinary challenges, often arriving in the United States alone and without the family support or resources needed to navigate a complex immigration system. We believe that every young person, regardless of their circumstances or immigration status, deserves the opportunity to live in safety, pursue their education, and build a future with dignity and hope.

Project Rousseau seeks a dedicated and compassionate Staff Attorney (Unaccompanied Children and Youth) to join our growing Immigration Legal Services team. This is a full-time, on-site position based in Manhattan, New York, offering the opportunity to make a direct and lasting difference in the lives of vulnerable immigrant youth, particularly unaccompanied children.

The Staff Attorney will represent young people in New York Family Court proceedings to obtain the findings and orders necessary to pursue Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), a critical pathway to stability and lawful permanent residence for eligible youth who have experienced abuse, abandonment, or neglect. The attorney will also guide clients through related immigration proceedings, including representation in removal proceedings where applicable, helping young people navigate the legal system during some of the most consequential moments of their lives.

We are looking for an attorney who combines strong New York Family Court experience with a commitment to working with vulnerable young people. The successful candidate will be comfortable navigating complex family circumstances, building trusting relationships with young clients, and providing thoughtful, trauma-informed representation. Working closely with clients, caregivers, and Project Rousseau’s multidisciplinary team, the attorney will develop case strategies, prepare filings and evidence, and advocate for young people in both family and immigration court.

Depending on organizational needs, the attorney may also have opportunities to represent unaccompanied children in other immigration matters, including affirmative asylum applications before USCIS.

This role is particularly well suited to an attorney who is passionate about protecting the rights of immigrant children and wants to be part of a collaborative, mission-driven team committed to ensuring that vulnerable young people have the legal protection and support they need to thrive.

Responsibilities include:

Represent young people in New York Family Court proceedings related to SIJS, including seeking appropriate custody or guardianship orders and SIJS predicate findings.

Develop case strategy and prepare petitions, motions, affidavits, proposed orders, and supporting evidence.

Appear in Family Court, communicate with court personnel, and manage cases through resolution.

Prepare clients and witnesses for court appearances and testimony, using trauma-informed and age-appropriate practices.

Prepare and file I-360 SIJS petitions with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and related applications for immigration relief.

Work with clients to gather records and supporting documentation and explain legal processes, options, and developments in clear, accessible language.

Coordinate with caregivers, social workers, schools, and other service providers as appropriate.

Maintain accurate case records, meet filing deadlines, and manage a caseload effectively.

Participate in case consultations, training, and other team activities.

Qualifications and Requirements

Education and licensing

Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.

Active license and good standing with the New York State Bar.

Experience

Demonstrated experience practicing in New York Family Court, including preparing and handling family law matters involving custody, guardianship, or related proceedings.

Experience representing children, immigrant youth, or other clients in sensitive family circumstances is strongly preferred.

Experience with SIJS or immigration law is preferred.

Skills and attributes

Strong interest in a comprehensive approach to meeting the needs of young people and their families.

Strong legal writing, oral advocacy, and problem-solving skills.

Excellent organizational skills, including time management, record-keeping, and the ability to manage multiple assignments and deadlines independently.

Ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively with young people, colleagues, court personnel, and community partners.

Fluency in Spanish, French, or Pulaar is strongly preferred.

Values and commitment

Deep commitment to social justice and serving immigrant communities.

Ability to handle complex and sensitive matters with discretion, empathy, and sound judgment.

Work schedule: Full-time, 35 hours per week.

Job location: 1560 Broadway, New York, NY 10036. This is an in-person role, with an expectation that the attorney will work on-site at least four days per week.

Salary range: $72,500–$95,000 per year.

Benefits: Employer contribution to an Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA).

Application: Submit a cover letter and résumé through Justworks. This position is for an immediate start, and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Project Rousseau is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, immigration or citizenship status, age, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, marital or partnership status, familial or caregiver status, military or veteran status, height or weight, status as a victim of domestic violence, stalking, or sex offenses, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, New York State, or New York City law.Project Rousseau provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities, for pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, for religious observance and practice, and as otherwise required by law.