Senior 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 Senior Staff Attorney is a key position within Sanctuary for Families’ Immigration Intervention Project (IIP), 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 will work within Sanctuary for Families’ Gender-Based Asylum Rapid Response Initiative, a project within IIP which delivers high quality, trauma-informed, culturally and linguistically competent legal assistance and representation to survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, sexual assault, and/or other forms of gender-based violence seeking U.S. asylum. The Senior Staff Attorney’s focus will be representing survivors of gender-based violence in their asylum and related cases, as well as on placing and supervising pro bono teams in representing immigrant survivors in these cases. Other responsibilities may include conducting community outreach and education, and collaborating with other agencies and community-based organizations, to best assist and empower immigrant survivors seeking asylum and to advocate on their behalf with systems affecting their lives. The IIP operates from 5 different locations in New York City; this Senior Staff Attorney works out of the Manhattan office.

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;
• Intake and select asylum and related cases for representation and placement with pro bono counsel and law school clinics, as appropriate.
• Supervise and mentor IIP staff, pro-bono attorneys, interns, and volunteers in as they provide legal services, referrals and support to asylum clients;
• Intake and select asylum and related cases for representation and placement with pro bono counsel and law school clinics, as appropriate.
• Conduct screening interviews with immigrant survivors of gender-based violence to assess eligibility for immigration status under United States immigration law;
• Advocate with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and/or advocate and engage in motion practice to the Executive Office for Immigration Review, Board of Immigration Appeals, Administrative Appeals Office, and/or federal courts for the best possible outcome in clients’ cases;
• Represent Sanctuary for Families at community events and on advocacy committees and task forces, as appropriate;
• Advocate on behalf of clients with city and state agencies and institutions on issues of eligibility for housing, education, and public benefits;
• Advocate on behalf of clients in family and criminal court proceedings, as needed;
• Collaborate with community-based organizations, legal services providers, district attorney’s offices, other local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, and health care providers 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 victims of domestic violence; develop written materials and curriculum for such purposes.
• Refer victims of domestic violence and gender based violence to appropriate legal and social services within and outside of Sanctuary for Families;
• Maintain timely and accurate records in electronic database of current and potential clients;
• Perform other project duties or special projects as directed by Director.

REQUIREMENTS

• Admission to practice law in a U.S. jurisdiction, preferably New York;
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in immigration law;
• Bilingual English and a relevant community language (e.g. Spanish, Mandarin, Hindi, etc.);
• 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;
• Excellent judgment and attention to detail;
• Strong writing and analytical skills;
• Strong communication skills;
• Excellent interpersonal skills;
• Ability to work independently and under pressure;
• Energetic and passionate about Sanctuary’s mission of ending gender based violence and human trafficking;

Work position is Full-time, Salaried- Exempt

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