Make the Road New York
Lead Immigration Attorney
Make the Road New York, Brooklyn, New York, United States, 11210
Make the Road New York (MRNY) builds the power of immigrant and working-class communities to achieve dignity and justice through organizing, policy innovation, transformative education, and survival services. Make the Road New York operates community centers in Bushwick, Brooklyn; Jackson Heights, Queens; Port Richmond, Staten Island; Brentwood, Long Island and White Plains, Westchester County. With a membership of 27,000, MRNY tackles the critical issues facing our communities, including workplace justice, tenants' rights, immigrant rights and civil rights, TGNCIQ justice, public education, health care access, and immigration reform. (TGNCIQ = transgender, gender non-conforming, intersex and queer). MRNY is a newly unionized workplace, currently negotiating its first Collective Bargaining Agreement.
MRNY is a multi-service organization. Our member-led organizing committees -- which work on the issues named above -- implement strategies to combat shared problems, and develop leadership and the capacity for civic participation. We also provide an array of high-quality bilingual services: We offer English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Spanish-language literacy, computer literacy, citizenship preparation, and in-school and after-school youth programs. We have a robust legal program that offers direct representation across a spectrum of practice areas, including employment law, immigration law, housing and benefits, and TGNCIQ civil rights; we also take on impact litigation as a strategy for achieving broad change. Our health program offers facilitated enrollment into health insurance programs and SNAP benefits, a community health worker home visit program, nutrition education and emergency food pantries, health care navigation, and more."
Current Opening:
The Lead Immigration Attorney maintains an active docket of immigration cases, including those in removal proceedings and those with complex criminal circumstances. The Lead attorney will supervise a geographic team of at least three Legal team members, including staff attorneys and paralegals authorized to represent clients directly. The Lead attorney is responsible for coordinating a practice-based team with other members of the Legal Department and regularly working across teams on Legal projects. The Lead attorney is directly responsible for overseeing compliance (including reporting and site visits) for / managing the funder relationships where applicable for that geographic team.
Key Responsibilities:
Supervise at least 3 FTEs in their immigration practice, ensuring the provision of quality legal services , develop their professional development and growth, and facilitate the support of relevant organizing efforts around immigration and other organizing efforts.Providing individualized assistance to clients currently in removal proceedings or eligible for immigration relief in a broad range of categories including SIJS, Asylum, U/T visas, cancellation of removal and others.Providing individualized advocacy and assistance to immigrants with complex cases due to criminal records and other issuesAssisting with know-your-rights and other informational workshops to educate immigrant communities about immigration issues affecting their livesSupporting MRNY members and organizing campaigns through strategic litigation, legislative advocacy, research and action supportParticipation and coordination of team meetings and participation in legal department meetings.Management of key immigration grants and assistance with grant reporting generallyRequirements:
Eligible to work in the USRequired to be fully vaccinated with an FDA approved COVID-19 vaccine prior first day of employmentLaw degree (such as J.D.) and license to practice law in New York State.At least 5 years of experience in immigration law.Strong managerial, organizational, writing, and communication skillsAbility to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholdersKnowledge of immigration law and removal defense litigation is preferredExcellent problem-solving and decision-making abilitiesAbility to work independently and as part of a teamProficient Spanish language skillsExperience with populations that make up major portions of Make the Road's membership is a plus - such as documented and undocumented immigrants, individuals facing domestic violence, members of TGNCIQ communities, those who have experienced the criminal legal system, and youthDesire to work collaborativelyContinuous learning and application of movement lawyering principles as well as other critical concepts that underscore our organizational approach to building power, such as racialized capitalismJob Competencies:
Self-starter with strong organizational skills and strong attention to detailBe highly ethical, professional, and team oriented with a passion for excellence and eagerness to help the department meet our goals.Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and complete assignments under strict deadlines with minimal supervision in a fast paced environment.Ability to work under pressure required.Strong legal writing and research skills.Flexible work schedule, some evenings or weekends requiredStrong verbal and written communication skillsHigh level of accountability and initiative; needs to be a self-starter and eager to do team work to support the organization as a wholeRelevant lived experience, including, but not limited to, having been a member of a low-income, immigrant community
Salary and Benefits:
MRNY offers an excellent benefit package including health insurance, 401K, and generous paid vacation, sick, personal days. The salary range for this position is from $84,587.43 to $105,525.74
How to Apply:
Please attach cover letter/resume and submit all documents to the Make the Road New York career center.
Make the Road believes that social change is best achieved through grassroots community-based organizing that flows directly from and engages the community demanding the change. As a membership-based organization, we are committed to providing equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, criminal history, or Veteran status. We strongly encourage those from historically excluded groups to apply.
MRNY is a multi-service organization. Our member-led organizing committees -- which work on the issues named above -- implement strategies to combat shared problems, and develop leadership and the capacity for civic participation. We also provide an array of high-quality bilingual services: We offer English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Spanish-language literacy, computer literacy, citizenship preparation, and in-school and after-school youth programs. We have a robust legal program that offers direct representation across a spectrum of practice areas, including employment law, immigration law, housing and benefits, and TGNCIQ civil rights; we also take on impact litigation as a strategy for achieving broad change. Our health program offers facilitated enrollment into health insurance programs and SNAP benefits, a community health worker home visit program, nutrition education and emergency food pantries, health care navigation, and more."
Current Opening:
The Lead Immigration Attorney maintains an active docket of immigration cases, including those in removal proceedings and those with complex criminal circumstances. The Lead attorney will supervise a geographic team of at least three Legal team members, including staff attorneys and paralegals authorized to represent clients directly. The Lead attorney is responsible for coordinating a practice-based team with other members of the Legal Department and regularly working across teams on Legal projects. The Lead attorney is directly responsible for overseeing compliance (including reporting and site visits) for / managing the funder relationships where applicable for that geographic team.
Key Responsibilities:
Supervise at least 3 FTEs in their immigration practice, ensuring the provision of quality legal services , develop their professional development and growth, and facilitate the support of relevant organizing efforts around immigration and other organizing efforts.Providing individualized assistance to clients currently in removal proceedings or eligible for immigration relief in a broad range of categories including SIJS, Asylum, U/T visas, cancellation of removal and others.Providing individualized advocacy and assistance to immigrants with complex cases due to criminal records and other issuesAssisting with know-your-rights and other informational workshops to educate immigrant communities about immigration issues affecting their livesSupporting MRNY members and organizing campaigns through strategic litigation, legislative advocacy, research and action supportParticipation and coordination of team meetings and participation in legal department meetings.Management of key immigration grants and assistance with grant reporting generallyRequirements:
Eligible to work in the USRequired to be fully vaccinated with an FDA approved COVID-19 vaccine prior first day of employmentLaw degree (such as J.D.) and license to practice law in New York State.At least 5 years of experience in immigration law.Strong managerial, organizational, writing, and communication skillsAbility to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholdersKnowledge of immigration law and removal defense litigation is preferredExcellent problem-solving and decision-making abilitiesAbility to work independently and as part of a teamProficient Spanish language skillsExperience with populations that make up major portions of Make the Road's membership is a plus - such as documented and undocumented immigrants, individuals facing domestic violence, members of TGNCIQ communities, those who have experienced the criminal legal system, and youthDesire to work collaborativelyContinuous learning and application of movement lawyering principles as well as other critical concepts that underscore our organizational approach to building power, such as racialized capitalismJob Competencies:
Self-starter with strong organizational skills and strong attention to detailBe highly ethical, professional, and team oriented with a passion for excellence and eagerness to help the department meet our goals.Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and complete assignments under strict deadlines with minimal supervision in a fast paced environment.Ability to work under pressure required.Strong legal writing and research skills.Flexible work schedule, some evenings or weekends requiredStrong verbal and written communication skillsHigh level of accountability and initiative; needs to be a self-starter and eager to do team work to support the organization as a wholeRelevant lived experience, including, but not limited to, having been a member of a low-income, immigrant community
Salary and Benefits:
MRNY offers an excellent benefit package including health insurance, 401K, and generous paid vacation, sick, personal days. The salary range for this position is from $84,587.43 to $105,525.74
How to Apply:
Please attach cover letter/resume and submit all documents to the Make the Road New York career center.
Make the Road believes that social change is best achieved through grassroots community-based organizing that flows directly from and engages the community demanding the change. As a membership-based organization, we are committed to providing equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, criminal history, or Veteran status. We strongly encourage those from historically excluded groups to apply.