Senior Staff Attorney, Immigration

Job Type

Full-time

Description

ABOUT US

Sanctuary for Families is New York's leading service provider and advocate for survivors of domestic violence, sex trafficking and related forms of gender violence. Every year, Sanctuary empowers thousands of adults and children to move from fear and abuse to safety and stability, transforming lives through a comprehensive range of services. We provide a range of wrap-around services to help survivors rebuild their lives in the aftermath of abuse, and work to end gender violence through three key strategies: direct services, outreach and training, and systems-change advocacy. Our services are available in 12 locations throughout New York City.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Senior Staff Attorney at a Family Justice Center is a key position within Sanctuary for Families' Immigration Intervention Project, a legal services project that represents thousands of survivors of domestic violence, other forms of gender based violence, and human trafficking in a broad range of immigration matters. The Senior Staff Attorney provides direct legal representation to immigrant clients, while mentoring and supervising volunteer and pro bono attorneys, law students, and legal interns.

Other important responsibilities include conducting community outreach and education in the Family Justice Center at which this position is based, screening walk-in clients at that Family Justice Center, collaborating with other agencies represented there to assist immigrant survivors, and advocating for improvements in systems affecting their lives. The IIP operates from 5 different locations in New York City; this Senior Staff Attorney works out of the Bronx Family Justice Center.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Represent survivors of gender-based violence and sex trafficking in their immigration cases before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), and appellate courts;
• Supervise and mentor pro bono attorneys representing immigrant survivors in a wide range of cases filed with USCIS, EOIR, and appellate courts;
• Supervise and mentor staff attorneys, project assistants, volunteer attorneys, legal fellows, and/or interns as they provide legal services, referrals and support to immigrant clients;
• Coordinate with partner agencies at the Family Justice Center and serve as an immigration law resource there;
• Screen potential clients for eligibility for immigration relief and legal representation through Sanctuary for Families;
• Represent Sanctuary for Families at the Family Justice Center and at community events, on advocacy committees, and on task forces.
• Collaborate with district attorney's offices, other local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, health care providers, and community-based organizations to improve responses to immigrant survivors, and to educate and provide technical assistance on issues relating to immigrant clients.
• Contribute to Sanctuary's efforts to educate the public, local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, social service agencies, community-based organizations, and elected officials about issues related to immigrant survivors; develop written materials and curriculum for such purposes.
• Perform any other Department or agency-related duties or special projects as assigned by the Legal Center Director and Deputy Director, and the Director and Deputy Director of the Immigration Intervention Project.

Requirements

• Admission to practice law in a U.S. jurisdiction, preferably New York;
• Minimum (5) years of experience representing clients in the U.S. immigration system;
• Experience working in the field, preferably in a non-profit setting, to assist survivors of domestic violence, other forms of gender-based violence, and/or human trafficking;
• Bilingual English and a relevant community language (e.g. Spanish, French, Russian, Mandarin) preferred;
• Excellent judgment;
• Strong writing, research, and analytical skills;
• Strong communications and leadership skills;
• Excellent interpersonal skills;
• Ability to work independently and under pressure;
• Ability to motivate, inspire, and manage staff;
• Energetic and passionate about Sanctuary's mission of ending gender-based violence;
• Ability to work well with people of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations and diverse racial, ethnic, cultural, religious, educational, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Budgeted Salary: $82,000 - $96,500 per year

Work position is Full-time, Salaried/ Exempt

Work schedule is currently Hybrid; must meet job location schedule obligations

Benefits:

• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Employer retirement contribution
• Paid time off (Holidays, Vacation, Personal, Sick)
• Generous Leave Policy
• Flexible spending account / Health savings account
• Student loan assistance
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Gym reimbursement program
• Wellness program and rewards

Sanctuary for Families is a welcoming workplace. All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race, creed (religion), color, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, military status, age, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, marital status or domestic violence victim status, and other categories protected under Federal, New York state or New York city laws.

Survivors of gender-based violence are strongly encouraged to apply.

Salary Description

$82,000 - $96,500 per year