Description:

About NYLAG:
Founded in 1990, NYLAG is a leading civil legal services organization combating economic, racial, and social injustice by advocating for people experiencing poverty or in crisis. Our services include comprehensive, free civil legal services, financial empowerment, impact litigation, policy advocacy, and community partnerships. NYLAG exists because wealth should not determine who has access to justice. We aim to disrupt systemic racism by serving individuals and families whose legal and financial crises are often rooted in racial inequality. NYLAG goes to where the need is, providing services in more than 150 community sites (e.g. courts, hospitals, libraries) and on our Mobile Legal Help Center. NYLAG's staff of 400 impacted the lives of 129,000 people last year.

Job Description:
New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) seeks a highly motivated Coordinating Attorney for a full-time position. The Coordinating Attorney will lead work providing representation and technical assistance to partner organizations on the cases of unaccompanied minors facing removal and/or detention under the guidance of a Supervising Attorney. This job will be focused on building expertise across city-funded providers and within NYLAG for cases at the intersection of unaccompanied minors and rapid response on issues related to removal. The job requires substantive knowledge and experience working with unaccompanied children, petitioning for Special Immigrant Juvenile Visas, removal defense, asylum law, and the ability to work quickly and independently in addressing urgent matters. The job will also require grant reporting, collection and maintenance of data, and other matters related to grant management. Candidates will have a demonstrated interest in mentorship, contract and grant management, and developing external partnerships. Candidates will have a proactive ability to solve problems under time pressure, a strong commitment to providing client-centered services for clients experiencing trauma, and an ability to provide professional development and support to a team of attorneys, paralegals, and volunteers at various stages in their careers.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Coordinating Attorney's responsibilities will include:

Represent unaccompanied minors and former unaccompanied minors in removal proceedings before USCIS, EOIR, New York Family Courts, in appeals to the BIA, and limited federal litigation.
Work alongside the supervising attorney to assist in providing technical assistance and subject matter expertise to partner organizations and other external stakeholders on urgent matter for unaccompanied minors and former unaccompanied minors.
Serve as a point person for cross-referrals with community based organizations, partners, and the City.
Track client cases, requests for assistance, progress of applications, and follow up for funding purposes. Support compiling of data and reporting for funders on relevant grants.
Conduct internal and external trainings for attorneys, paralegals, and other community advocates.
Represent NYLAG to our funders, collaborative partners, and other external stakeholders including coordinating programming and reporting, attending conferences and trainings, and sharing materials.
Develop and expand relationships with community-based organizations and other partners.
Other duties as needed.

Qualifications:
Required:

J.D. and admission to New York State Bar.
Fluency in Spanish.
At least three years of demonstrated substantive experience representing clients in removal defense and asylum matters.
At least three years of demonstrated expertise working on SIJS applications and with children and young adults.
Demonstrated commitment to working with immigrant communities and advancing racial and social justice.
Ability to work collaboratively, communicate effectively, manage multiple tasks, and creatively problem solve.

Additionally:

Excellent writing, speaking, and analytical skills.
Ability to communicate effectively with clients, community organizations, attorneys, the judiciary and the public.
Experience working with survivors of trauma and the intersection of criminal law and immigration law.
Strong advocacy skills, including the ability to develop creative legal arguments, and individualize case strategies for clients with cases in varying legal postures.
Commitment to mentoring, teaching, and supporting advocates with varying levels of experience.

NYLAG's Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
NYLAG is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, immigrants, veterans, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people, and those with lived experiences in the communities we serve are strongly encouraged to apply.

Employment type:
☒ Full-time

Professional Level:
☒ Professional

Salary Range:
NYLAG is a unionized workplace, and salaries are set pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement. The current salary range for this position is between $93,175 and $103,515.

Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, 401k, life insurance, long term disability, commuter benefits, flexible spending accounts (FSA) for Medical and Dependent care.

Application Instructions: Please save resume and cover letter on one pdf.

Covid Vaccination Policy: Please note, to safeguard the health and well-being of our employees and clients, NYLAG requires all employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, unless a medical or religious exemption is approved.

NYLAG is committed to a hybrid work policy for staff whose work does not require their full-time presence in the office. NYLAG's current policy is that most staff are required to work in NYLAG's offices or do other in-person work at least two days each week. This policy is subject to change.