Description:
Description:The Staff Attorney (Legal Immigration) serves in a leadership role at the forefront of direct legal representation for low-income clients living with or affected by HIV. This position provides comprehensive immigration legal services, including advocacy, application support, and representation before USCIS, EOIR, and BIA. The Staff Attorney plays a critical role in ensuring access to justice by delivering trauma-informed, culturally competent legal support tailored to the unique needs of GMHC's client population.
The Staff Attorney is part of a fully integrated model of care that centers client autonomy, encourages cross-departmental collaboration, and affirms the dignity and rights of individuals living with or affected by HIV.
Essential Job Functions:
The Staff Attorney is responsible for the following:
Client Legal Services
- Conduct comprehensive legal needs assessments at intake and reassess clients regularly to identify evolving legal needs or additional service needs (e.g. related to social determinants of health).
- Provide direct immigration legal services, including:
- Know Your Rights presentations and legal education.
- Pro se assistance on straightforward and complex cases.
- Legal counsel and case strategy development.
- Full regal representation before USCIS, EOIR, and the BIA in matters including, but not limited to: Asylum, Employment Authorizations, Naturalization, Adjustments of Status, VAWA petitions, TPS, Deferred Action, U and T visas, family-based petitions, and inadmissibility waivers.
- Provide client-centered legal referrals and follow-up support to ensure continuity of care and access to appropriate services.
- Deliver legal education and outreach presentations to clients and community members to enhance awareness of available legal services and immigrant rights.
- Collaborate with community-based health and human service providers to offer technical assistance, training, and timely referrals for immigrant clients and those affected by HIV.
- Support walk-in clients and help manage the immigration appointments calendar, ensuring timely follow-up and scheduling coordination.
- Maintain accurate and timely records of client services, legal outcomes, and progress notes using internal databases and dashboards.
- Ensure all client documentation meets funder and audit requirements and support internal data quality and validation efforts.
- Assist with preparing monthly and ad hoc reports to meet program deliverables and track outcomes.
- Monitor contract compliance by ensuring that all client charts are complete and contain required documentation in accordance with audit and funder standards.
- Ensure the Department remains audit-ready through consistent documentation practices and adherence to compliance protocols.
- Participate in funder site visits, audits, and program evaluations.
- Under the guidance of departmental leadership, assist in the supervision and mentoring of paralegal staff, interns, and fellows to support high-quality, holistic legal services.
- Provide consultation to peers and legal team members on case matters and evolving immigration law developments.
- Collaborate with legal and non-legal staff to address systemic issues affecting GMHC's client population and contribute to policy discussions and strategic solutions.
Requirements:
Special Skills and Knowledge
The Ideal Candidate Will Demonstrate a Combination of The Following Required and Preferred Competencies to Succeed in This Role:
Required Qualifications:
- A Minimum of Two to Three (2-3) Years of Experience Practicing Immigration Law, with A Demonstrated Commitment to Advancing the Rights and Protections of Vulnerable Populations.
- Strong Knowledge of Immigration Law, Legal Procedures, and Case Strategy, Particularly in Humanitarian and Family-Based Petitions.
- Excellent Oral and Written Communication Skills, with The Ability to Interact Effectively with Clients, Colleagues, and External Stakeholders.
- Proven Ability to Manage a Dynamic Caseload Independently, While Balancing Multiple Priorities and Deadlines.
- Demonstrated Cultural Competency in Working with Diverse Populations, Including Lgbtq+ Individuals, Low-Income Communities, Immigrants, Racial Minorities, and People Living with Disabilities.
- Fluency in Both English and Spanish, Sufficient to Meet the Linguistic Needs of Gmhc's Client Population.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience Providing Legal Services to People Living with Hiv And/or Experience in Hiv-Related Legal Advocacy or Public Health Law.
- Familiarity with Trauma-Informed Legal Practice, Including Approaches that Integrate Sensitivity to Past Trauma Into Legal Service Delivery.
- Knowledge of Interdisciplinary Service Models that Integrate Legal, Medical, and Social Services to Support Holistic Client Care.
- Prior Experience in Hiv-Related Legal Services, Public Health Law, or Trauma-Informed Legal Practice.
- Juris Doctor (j.D.) from An Accredited Law School.
- Admission to Practice Law in New York State.
- Admitted or Eligible for Admission to The U.S. District Court for The Southern And/or Eastern District of New York.
- Active Registration with The New York State Office of Court Administration (oca).
- Ongoing Compliance with New York State Continuing Legal Education (cle) Requirements and Maintenance of Good Standing with The Nys Bar.
Technical Skills:
The Ideal Candidate Should Demonstrate the Following Technical Competencies to Effectively Manage Legal Documentation, Reporting, and Service Delivery:
Microsoft Office and Excel Proficiency
Case Management Systems and Data Entry
Documentation, Compliance, and Confidentiality
Work Environment & Schedule
This Is a Hybrid Position that Includes a Mix of On-Site and Remote Responsibilities:
Physical Demands:
While Carrying out The Responsibilities of This Role:
- Intermediate Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Including:
- Data Tracking and Analysis for Case Management and Program Performance.
- Creating and Maintaining Spreadsheets to Monitor Client Progress and Service Deliverables.
- Using Formulas, Pivot Tables, and Data Validation Tools to Ensure Documentation Accuracy,
- Basic Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Including:
- Outlook for Email Communications, Calendar Coordination, and Client Scheduling.
- Word for Drafting Legal Documentation, Formal Correspondence, and Grant-Related Reporting.
- Power Point for Preparing Outreach, Training, or Public Education Presentations.
- Experience Using Electronic Case Management and Data Tracking Systems Such As:
- Clio, Treat, Awards, Airs, E Compas, or Similar Platforms Used for Client Documentation and Service Delivery Tracking.
- Accurately Entering and Managing Data to Ensure All Program Activities and Contract Deliverables Are Properly Recorded and Reportable.
- Familiarity with Federal Immigration Databases and Case Tracking Tools, Including:
- Uscis Case Status Online.
- Eoir (ecas/portal) Systems.
- Dhs and Department of State Portals Related to Client Case Status, Filings, and Communications.
- Ability to Retrieve, Interpret, and Incorporate Client Status Updates and Government Communications Into Legal Files and Case Strategy.
- Strong Documentation Skills to Maintain:
- Clear and Accurate Legal Records, Service Notes, and Case Plans.
- Timely Updates in Accordance with Hipaa, Organizational, and Funder-Specific Confidentiality Requirements.
- Ability to Follow Established Protocols to Ensure:
- Program and Audit Readiness
- Full Compliance with Internal Quality Assurance Standards and External Regulatory Frameworks.
This Is a Hybrid Position that Includes a Mix of On-Site and Remote Responsibilities:
- Schedule and Work Location Will Be Determined by Program Needs and Supervisor Discretion.
- On-Site Presence for Client Appointments, Team Collaboration, Case Conferencing, and Select Internal or External Meetings.
- Travel as Required for Court Appearances, Legal Proceedings, Outreach, and Occasional Conferences or Trainings.
- Remote Work for Legal Writing, Documentation, Case Preparation, and Administrative Responsibilities, as Appropriate.
- Flexibility to Work Occasional Evenings or Modified Hours to Meet Client Needs, Case Deadlines, or Agency Obligations.
- Participation in The Annual Aids Walk New York Event Is Mandatory for All Gmhc Staff.
Physical Demands:
While Carrying out The Responsibilities of This Role:
- The Position Is Primarily Office-Based and Sedentary, Involving Extended Periods of Computer Use, Phone Communication, and Virtual Conferencing.
- The Staff Member Must Be Ab
Similar Jobs
