Description:
Position: Staff AttorneyStatus: Full-Time, Exempt
Reports to: Executive Director
The Korean American Family Service Center (KAFSC) is a leading non-profit organization serving the New York tri-state area. We are dedicated to empowering women, children, and families—especially immigrant survivors of gender-based violence—through culturally responsive counseling, education, advocacy, and support services. Our mission is to foster safe and healthy relationships based on mutual respect, compassion, and dignity.
KAFSC seeks a compassionate, mission-driven Staff Attorney with expertise in family and immigration law to support Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) survivors of gender-based violence. This role is critical in providing culturally and linguistically appropriate legal assistance to individuals navigating complex family and immigration-relatedlegal challenges. The ideal candidate will be trauma-informed, collaborative, and committed to advancing justice for underserved communities.
Key Responsibilities:
Direct Client Representation:
- Provide culturally sensitive legal consultations and representation in family law matters, including orders of protection, child custody and support, and divorce.
- Assist clients with immigration-related legal matters such as VAWA self-petitions, U-Visas, T-Visas, and adjustment of status.
- Draft and review legal documents in accordance with applicable laws, ethical obligations, and professional standards.
- Comply with all applicable legal, ethical, and professional responsibility standards, including confidentiality, conflict-of-interest rules, and attorney-client privilege.
- Conduct legal intakes, assessments, and ongoing case management using a trauma-informed approach that respects client confidentiality, safety, and dignity.
- Collaborate closely with KAFSC's social workers, counselors, and case managers to develop coordinated and holistic support plans responsive to client needs.
- Maintain accurate, timely, and well-organized case files, and track case activity and outcomes in accordance with organizational policies, professional obligations, and applicable reporting requirements.
- Lead workshops and training sessions to educate the AAPI community about legal rights and available resources.
- Build and sustain partnerships with legal service providers, community-based organizations, and government agencies to strengthen referrals and service coordination.
- Participate in ongoing legal training, professional development, and internal meetings to stay current on relevant areas of law and best practices in serving survivors.
- Advocate on behalf of immigrant survivors within the legal system to address barriers and improve access to justice.
- Participate in coalitions, working groups, and policy discussions related to immigrant rights, family law, and gender-based violence, as appropriate.
- Contribute to the development and refinement of legal services procedures, templates, and internal workflows, as appropriate.
- Perform other related duties as assigned, consistent with the scope of the position and organizational needs.
Qualifications:
Education and Licensing:
- Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
- Active membership in the New York State Bar.
Experience:
- Minimum of two (2) years of experience in family and immigration law.
- Experience working with survivors of gender-based violence strongly preferred.
- Prior experience serving immigrant and AAPI communities is highly desirable.
Skills and Competencies:
- Strong commitment to KAFSC's mission of social justice and empowerment for survivors of violence.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Korean language proficiency strongly preferred; proficiency in an additional Asian language is a plus.
- Proven ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary, culturally diverse environment.
- Demonstrated professionalism, empathy, and sound judgement, and discretion in handling sensitive and confidential matters.
Compensation and Benefits:
- Salary: $100,000 commensurate with experience
- KAFSC offers a comprehensive benefits package, which includes medical, dental, and vision insurance; Flexible Spending Account (FSA); 27 days of paid time off, 14 paid holidays, and a 3% employer 401(k) match for eligible participating employees.
