Immigration Staff Attorney

Founded in 1996 as Queens Law Associates, Queens Defenders (QD) is a public defender organization in Queens, New York serving the most ethnically diverse county in the United States.

QD provides legal defense to people in the criminal, family, and immigration systems. We believe that all individuals have the constitutional right to legal representation if they are charged with a crime and cannot afford an attorney.

In addition to legal defense, Queens Defenders also provides social services in order to improve the well-being of our clients and their families.

Job Description

QD seeks a full-time Immigration Staff Attorney to join our Immigration Department. Our Immigration Program, launched in 2012 and currently consists of three immigration attorneys, a community outreach officer and paralegal support. Reporting to the Supervising Immigration Attorney, the Immigration Staff Attorney will work collaboratively to represent non-citizen and immigrant clients in a wide range of legal matters.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities

• Advising defense attorney and strategizing with clients on alternatives that can mitigate negative immigration consequences.
• Providing immigration support to the attorneys at arraignments.
• Interviewing clients, client witnesses; reviewing paperwork, items of discovery, and related case evidence.
• Providing legal representation before the Immigration Courts, Board of Immigration Appeals and support emergency response to ICE enforcement actions.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications/Skills

• Admission to the New York Bar (or the ability to be admitted through reciprocity)
• Two years of experience directly representing clients in all aspects of immigration court proceedings preferred.
• Proficiency in Spanish preferred.
• Demonstrated commitment to public interest, pro bono work and advancing the rights of the underserved populations.
• Excellent research, writing analytical, and communication skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and remain calm under pressure.
• Ability to work with highly confidential and privileged information.

Application Instructions:

Applicants should email immigration@queensdefenders.org with a cover letter, resume and writing sample.

**Salary is commensurate with experience and subject to the collective bargaining agreement between Queens Defenders and UAW Local 2325 – Association of Legal Aid Attorneys.

Benefits:

• Health/Dental/Vision
• 401(k)
• Generous Paid time off
• Parental Leave
• Disability insurance
• FSA and HSA
• Life insurance

QD is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a culturally diverse staff and fostering an inclusive working environment. We seek to hire staff that reflect the full range of racial, ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic identities of the communities we represent so that we better serve our clients, understand their diverse circumstances, and meet their needs. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against based on disability.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $76,406.00 - $124,032.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Experience:

• Immigration law: 2 years (Required)

License/Certification:

• Bar (Required)

Work Location: In person