Description:

Overview:
We are seeking a highly skilled and detail-oriented Staff Attorney to join our legal team. The Staff Attorney will be responsible for representation, conducting comprehensive legal research, preparing legal documents, and satisfactorily completing cases.

Responsibilities:

Conduct comprehensive immigration and criminal legal screenings, assess eligibility for immigration relief, benefits, and protections.
Provide brief legal advice and full legal representation (where appropriate).
Provide pro se support to clients with straightforward cases, and assist with internal and external legal referrals for complex matters.
Support clients with document collection, application preparation, and follow-up case management
Ensure compliance with legal and ethical standards and contract deliverables.
Develop and deliver "Know Your Rights" presentations and self-help legal workshops in collaboration with navigators and partners.
Review all client intakes, complete cases and legal filings adequately (N-400, I-130, I-90, FOIA, asylum, VAWA, U/T visas, etc.)
Support development of multilingual legal education materials. Participate in all relevant trainings and technical assistance sessions.
Support reporting by documenting legal activity, outcomes, and service milestones in client databases.
Identify client needs beyond legal matters and provide appropriate warm handoffs to case managers or referral partners (e.g., CAMBA).
Maintain client confidentiality and ensure secure handling of sensitive personal data.
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant laws and regulations affecting clients' interests
Manage multiple cases simultaneously while adhering to deadlines and quality standards.
Maintain accurate records using COPO's legal case management system and submit biweekly and quarterly service reports.
Attend all COPO-mandated trainings and staff meetings.
Any additional tasks assigned/requested by CEO relevant to the Legal Department

Qualifications:

Juris Doctor (JD) degree or Master's degree from an accredited law school.
Admission to the state bar in New York with active licensing status.
Minimum 1 year of experience in court representation for criminal or immigration cases.
Demonstrated commitment to immigrant rights and social justice
Ability to work with clients from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
Proficiency in at least one high-need language: Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi, Bengali, Arabic, Spanish, Uzbek, or Russian.
Prior experience in immigration and criminal legal services, including screenings or form preparation.
Knowledge of immigration and criminal law and NYC social service systems.
Ability to lead outreach or education events in a second language.