Staff Attorney, Immigration

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 Staff Attorney at the Manhattan 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 Staff Attorney provides direct legal representation to immigrant clients. Other important responsibilities include conducting community outreach and education in Manhattan, screening walk-in clients at the Manhattan 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 Staff Attorney works out of the NYC Family Justice Center located in Manhattan.

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;
• Collaborate with volunteers, interns and pro bono attorneys; supports training of junior staff members on all aspects of client contact, litigation support, case management, and/or project development.
• Coordinate with partner agencies at the Manhattan 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 Manhattan 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 of the Immigration Intervention Project.

REQUIREMENTS

• Admission to practice law in a U.S. jurisdiction, preferably New York;
• Minimum of two years of experience in immigration law;
• 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. French, Spanish, Russian);
• 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 and human trafficking;
• Deep understanding of and ability to work well with people of diverse ethnic, cultural, religious, educational, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Work position is Full-time - Standard 35hrs/wk, Salaried - Exempt

Work schedule is currently Hybrid; must be able to meet job location schedule obligation