Job Description

Managing Attorney

Organization: New York Immigration Coalition

Department: Legal

Team: Legal

Reports to: Deputy Legal Director

Direct Reports: Up to three full-time staff, including Senior Staff Attorneys

Employment Status: Permanent, Full Time/Exempt (40 hours/week)

Location: Applicants based in New York City, Long Island, Capital Region, Hudson Valley, Western New York, or Finger Lakes are welcome to apply. Position will require regular travel within New York State, including the regions listed above and other parts of New York State. This position will involve extensive in-person work in the field. When not in the field, the position allows for 1 remote day per week, with the remaining days in the office.

Salary: $130,000/year

Overview of the Organization

The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) is an umbrella policy and advocacy organization for nearly 200 groups in New York State. We envision a New York State that is stronger because all people are welcome, treated fairly, and given the chance to pursue their dreams. Our mission is to unite immigrants, members, and allies so all New Yorkers can thrive. We represent the collective interests of New York's diverse immigrant communities and organizations and devise solutions to advance them; advocate for laws, policies, and programs that lead to justice and opportunity for all immigrant groups; and build the power of immigrants and the organizations that serve them to ensure their sustainability, to improve people's lives, and to strengthen our state.

Our organizational values: Inclusive & Representative; Fair & Just; Accountable & Trusted.

Position Overview

The Managing Attorney will oversee a network of legal services across several regions of New York State, with a focus on vulnerable immigrant populations and emerging legal services needs. The Managing Attorney, along with Legal leadership, will direct and execute on providing limited scope affirmative and defensive services to clients. The Managing Attorney will directly supervise up to three full-time staff and aid in the supervision of a cohort of part-time contract attorneys. The Managing Attorney will report to the Deputy Legal Director and will work closely with internal teams as well as external partners, including legal service providers and community-based organizations.

NYIC Legal delivers limited scope legal services via legal clinics (in-person, remote, or hybrid) and remote 1:1 legal assistance. NYIC Legal also develops special projects and rapid response initiatives to serve clients caught in the midst of changing immigration laws, policies, and practice. The Managing Attorney will ensure that all legal services provided through this program are high quality. The Managing Attorney will be expected to step in at any point in the process, from drafting procedures and documents, to completing screenings, or to filing applications and motions as necessary.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Coordination & Supervision of Legal Services

• In consultation with Legal leadership, design, coordinate, and supervise legal clinics and direct legal services across New York State, utilizing regional and remote legal support from attorneys, paralegals, and other support staff, both internal and external to the NYIC.
• Supervise the provision of direct limited scope legal services to clients. These services may include, but are not limited to: 1) applications for asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), Temporary Protected Status (TPS), 2) Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) filings such as Motions to Reopen, Change of Venue, Change of Hearing Format, 3) bond and habeas, 4) in depth legal screenings for eligibility, and 5) general legal advice.
• Supervise Senior Staff Attorneys and other direct reports, including setting expectations, supporting professional development, and managing performance.
• Conduct final reviews of all filings and applications for relief, particularly those being drafted by Senior/Staff Attorneys, Paralegals, and part-time contract attorneys.
• In coordination with Legal leadership, address rapid response needs and aid in developing and implementing new workflows to support special projects and changes in immigration law, policy, and practice.
• Serve as a legal resource and answer questions from partner organizations, clients, volunteers, and other stakeholders.
• Exercise legal judgment and advise clients in a manner that is ethically sound, trauma-informed, and adheres to best practices.
• Draft, edit, and/or review training materials for legal volunteers, legal clinic guides, resources for legal services providers, and community-facing informational documents.

Reporting & Data Collection

• Oversee and coordinate data collection, tracking, and reporting to ensure efficiency, accuracy, and transparency of legal service deliverables and emerging trends.
• Collaborate regularly with data management personnel to design insightful and useful systems and reports of legal service provision, needs, and forecasting.
• Ensure that all are adhering to protocols aimed at protecting personal identifying information and data privacy. If applicable, suggest policies and procedures to enhance this goal.

Other Responsibilities

• Engage in strategic discussions involving litigation efforts, special projects, and rapid response frameworks. In consultation with the Legal leadership, design and supervise the execution of systems and plans to follow through on these strategic decisions.
• Support internal training and capacity building efforts on the legal team by serving as a trainer on relevant topics in immigration law where appropriate.
• Liaise with legal and non-legal service providers, external partners, and other stakeholders.
• May occasionally move or carry materials weighing 50 pounds or less.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Licensed attorney admitted to practice in the United States; admission to New York preferred but not required.
• 4 to 7 years of relevant experience representing and working with diverse immigrant communities in affirmative and/or defensive immigration postures.
• At least 2 years, preferably 4 or more years of relevant direct supervision experience, preferably of other attorneys and DOJ Accredited Representatives.
• Demonstrated commitment to the NYIC's mission.
• Strong skills in community organizing and community advocacy, specifically with underserved and diverse communities.
• Attention to detail, particularly in supervising and preparing applications and documents to be filed with various government agencies.
• Ability to facilitate cohesion among immigration legal staff, including attorneys, paralegals, and other support staff.
• Adaptability to changing work environments, processes, and emerging needs.
• Experience with fast-paced environments and juggling multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Experience with successfully developing and conducting strategic collaboration and events with diverse organizations and programs; experience conducting outreach in immigrant communities for legal services preferred.
• Bilingual English- and Spanish-language speaker preferred.
• Strong computer skills preferred, including proficiency in Legal Server, Salesforce, Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets), Canva, Microsoft Office Suite.

Must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer

Salary: $130,000/year

The NYIC has a transparent and equitable salary structure. Starting salaries for each position are set in advance with no room for negotiation.

In addition to a competitive salary, the NYIC offers a full benefit plan, unlimited vacation time after 90 days of employment, paid sick time, commuter benefits and a comprehensive retirement plan.

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