Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) is seeking a Director or Co-Directors to lead the New York Immigrant Family Unity Project (NYIFUP) in our Immigration Practice.
BDS is a public defense office representing low-income New Yorkers in criminal, family, immigration, and civil legal matters. Our work with clients is focused on the intersection of the legal systems that disproportionately impact Black and Brown people living below the poverty level in Brooklyn.
BDS represents thousands of people each year who have diverse, complex, and multi-faceted legal needs. In addition to a zealous legal defense, our interdisciplinary teams of attorneys, social workers and advocates provide a wide range of legal and advocacy services, including housing, public benefits, education, and employment issues.
BDS’s Immigration Practice is a collaborative team that represents people in detained and non-detained removal proceedings as well as affirmative applications before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
The Director(s) will be responsible for leading and overseeing all aspects of the NYIFUP team, including legal strategy, team management, and advocacy efforts. They will provide leadership to ensure high-quality legal representation for detained immigrants, support the professional development of staff, and collaborate with the other NYIFUP providers, community partners, and stakeholders.
Responsibilities
LEGAL REPRESENTATION AND STAFF
- Ensure that the NYIFUP team provides the best possible representation in removal defense cases and/or affirmative applications before United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”).
- Work collaboratively with supervisors to help NYIFUP staff reach their potential and ensure the best possible outcomes for clients.
- Be the liaison and point person for NYIFUP to other practice areas at BDS for the benefit of the clients, including having relationships and knowledge regarding what services are available for clients.
- Decide ethics and conflict issues in coordination with upper management.
- Directly supervise the supervisors on the NYIFUP team, including evaluating supervisor performance both formally and informally and regularly provide appropriate feedback.
- Work with HR to address personnel issues, such as leaves of absences and accommodations.
- Know and apply BDS policies and procedures, including personnel and office policies.
- Plan and lead regular immigration team meetings and supervisor meetings.
- Manage and oversee hiring and training for the NYIFUP team.
- Work closely with the Padilla team and other immigration units at BDS.
OPERATIONS
- Oversee intake tracking and processes.
- Work with partner organizations to develop intake processes.
- Understand NYIFUP funding and work with the contracts team and finance to build the team within the budget.
- Advocate for budget with City Council on an annual basis, including coordinating with our partner organizations.
- Review and contribute to narrative reports and data analysis for funders and internal reporting.
- Work with the Legal Operations team and upper management effectively, including escalating issues when appropriate and reporting concerns and issues that arise.
POLICY AND ADVOCACY
- Work closely with the Policy and Advocacy team to educate the public, elected officials and other stakeholders about detained immigration defense.
- Write/review advocacy materials in coordination with policy advocacy team.
- Respond to press inquiries and provide interviews and media appearances in coordination with the policy team.
- Attend external stakeholder meetings with advocates in immigration spaces.
- Testify before government bodies.
- Represent BDS at fundraisers and community events in coordination with the policy unit.
- Additional duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- More than five years of immigration practice experience.
- Experience supervising staff.
- Management experience a plus.
- Demonstrated commitment to client-centered representation.
- A commitment to equity and inclusion.
Position Information
This is an exempt, salaried position. The normal schedule is Monday to Friday 9am-5pm. The position is based at BDS’s offices.
BDS determines salary on a pay scale based on education and experience. Salary for this position is approximately $150,000 but may be more or less depending on the applicant’s prior experience. BDS offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance and a 403(b) retirement plan. In order to support work/life balance and family-friendly policies, BDS has generous vacation, sick, holiday, family, and medical leave policies.
Application Instructions
Click “Apply Now” to submit a cover letter and resume on our online application portal. Please submit your application by September 30, 2025.
