Description:

Location: Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, or Albany, NY + (Travel to Buffalo for court appearances as needed)

Do you have experience representing clients in removal or deportation proceedings—or currently maintain a thriving removal defense practice but are looking for greater support and resources? Are you excited to join a dynamic, expanding immigration team within a nationally recognized firm that has been successfully serving clients for more than 165 years?

Harris Beach Murtha is looking for an Immigration Associate, Sr. Counsel or Partner level candidate with at least 5 years of experience in removal defense to join our team. You will thrive in this role if you have:

5+ years of removal/deportation defense experience including representation before EOIR, BIA, and federal courts
New York Bar admission (or admission to practice law in another state)
Strong writing, advocacy, and oral argument skills in immigration court proceedings
Spanish language proficiency (preferred, not required)
Demonstrated commitment to client service, professionalism, and ethical representation

Do you have the drive and desire to:

Represent individuals in removal proceedings before the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), including Master Calendar and Individual Hearings
Prepare and file applications for relief including asylum, withholding of removal, CAT, cancellation of removal, adjustment of status, waivers, TPS, and VAWA
Draft motions, briefs, and supporting legal arguments before the Immigration Court, BIA, and federal courts
Conduct client consultations and develop case strategies
Review, approve, and file applications and evidence for submission to government agencies
Supervise and mentor paralegals and associates in case preparation
Maintain accurate case documentation and utilize the firm's case management system to track filings, deadlines, and client communications
Collaborate with colleagues across the firm on complex immigration and compliance issues
Manage and support client ICE check-ins and supervision compliance by advising clients on reporting requirements, preparing documentation packets, and communicating with ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers. The attorney will monitor check-in schedules, ensure timely attendance, address supervision or reporting issues, and assist with related filings such as stays of removal, bond motions, or orders of supervision. This role requires strong communication and organizational skills to track ICE interactions, maintain detailed case records, and integrate updates into the overall removal defense strategy

Harris Beach Murtha recognizes everyone has a right to be included. You will be successful in your career at the firm if you:

Exhibit well-developed interpersonal skills (exude patience and empathy), particularly with clients
Believe in the firm's core values: integrity, support, ingenuity, teamwork, and inclusion
Enjoy working with diverse personalities within various levels of the firm
Are comfortable working a hybrid remote schedule

Salary information below will vary depending upon relevant experience for the position, book of business, and geographic locations.

Harris Beach Murtha is not accepting candidate submissions from recruiting agencies for this position during the first two weeks after posting. Following this period, agencies with an active fee agreement with the firm may reach out to our internal recruitment team at resumes@harrisbeachmurtha.com to inquire about potential collaboration for this position.

Harris Beach Murtha is committed to an inclusive environment and we welcome applications from diverse candidates with varied background and skills, including military experience. Harris Beach Murtha Cullina PLLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

About Harris Beach Murtha:
Harris Beach Murtha formed in 2025 via the combination of Harris Beach PLLC and Murtha Cullina LLP. A forward-thinking and innovative partnership with the benefit of more than 250 years of combined history, Harris Beach Murtha's New York roots reach back to 1856 and the firm has had ties to New England since 1936. Harris Beach and Murtha Cullina were separately among the country's top law firms as ranked by The National Law Journal.

Harris Beach Murtha and its subsidiaries have a strong Northeast presence, but a global reach. Clients include Fortune 100 corporations, privately held companies, emerging businesses, public sector entities, tax-exempt organizations and individuals. The firm's practice areas and industries served span appellate law, business litigation, commercial real estate, construction, corporate, environmental, energy, financial institutions, financial restructuring, government compliance and investigations, health care, immigration, intellectual property, labor and employment, mass torts, medical and life sciences, political law, product liability, public finance, tax, and trusts and estates.

The firm's lawyers and consultants practice from offices throughout Connecticut in Bantam, Hartford, New Haven and Stamford; New York state in Albany, Buffalo, Ithaca, New York City, Rochester, Saratoga Springs, Syracuse, Long Island and White Plains, as well as in Boston, Massachusetts and Newark, New Jersey.

The firm's policy prohibiting unlawful discrimination applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring, placement, assignment of duties, training, promotion, compensation & benefits and termination. It is the policy of Harris Beach Murtha Cullina PLLC that all applicants and employees enjoy a positive, respectful and productive work environment, free from behavior, actions or language constituting unlawful harassment. Accordingly, harassment or discrimination of any kind based on an individual's race or color, sex, age, religion, national origin, marital status, disability, military status, genetic predisposition, carrier status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, creed, domestic violence victim status or any other legally protected status is strictly prohibited. Harris Beach Murtha complies with the provisions of the Human Rights Law, all other State and Federal statutory and constitutional non-discrimination provisions including non-discrimination on the basis of prior criminal conviction and prior arrest.