Organization Overview
Safe Passage Project (SPP) is a highly-focused nonprofit immigration legal services organization that provides free lawyers to immigrant children facing deportation. Founded in 2013, SPP has grown to include 60+ employees, two offices, and an annual budget of over $10 million. It manages over 1,600 open cases a year.
To date, SPP has supported more than 3,000 young people in NYC and Long Island. The New York Immigration Courts, some of the busiest immigration courts in the U.S., have more than 15,000 juveniles on their dockets, many of whom are fleeing trauma in their countries of origin such as gang violence and recruitment, abuse, and sexual assault. Immigrant children are not afforded free legal representation by the government, regardless of their age. As a result, more than half of immigrant children in immigration proceedings must go to court without the aid of a lawyer. Among unaccompanied children with legal representation, immigration court data shows that 90% are allowed to remain in the United States, whereas only 15% of unrepresented children are allowed to stay. This is where Safe Passage Project steps in, both through providing immigrant youth with direct representation by staff attorneys and through a robust network of pro bono attorneys who SPP attorneys train, mentor, and supervise.
About the Role
The Managing Attorney, Long Island will be joining a group of exceptional public interest attorneys to directly impact the lives of immigrant children looking for safety and security in the U.S. The Managing Attorney will lead and oversee Safe Passage Project’s Long Island-based legal team, managing a team of attorneys and paralegals that provides legal representation to children in immigration and other related proceedings, including cases involving asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, and other forms of immigration relief. The Managing Attorney, Long Island participates in the leadership of Safe Passage Project and reports to the Legal Director. This opportunity will be based in our Long Island office.
Your Responsibilities Will Include:
- Lead a team of attorneys and paralegals working out of Safe Passage Project’s Long Island office to represent minors in removal proceedings before the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), USCIS, and Family Court;
- Directly manage a team of Long Island-based supervising attorneys and paralegals, conducting regular check-ins, case reviews, and performance evaluations;
- Carry a caseload directly representing minors in their immigration cases and mentoring pro bono attorneys who represent minors in their immigration cases;
- Work closely with the senior legal management team and the Executive Director in the analysis and creation of legal strategies, as well as organizational policies and strategies for Safe Passage Project staff;
- Collaborate with other Safe Passage Project departments on specific projects and initiatives;
- Build and strengthen relationships with Safe Passage Project’s partners on Long Island.
Qualifications
The strongest candidates for this position will have most, though likely not all, of the following qualifications and characteristics:
- J.D. degree and admission to a state bar (required); admission to the New York State Bar (preferred)
- Six (6) or more years of immigration law experience, with at least three (3) years of experience supervising other attorneys and support staff
- Strong database and computer skills (experience with Salesforce preferred)
- Excellent multitasking and project management abilities, with a proven track record of handling complex projects efficiently
- Excellent writing, communication, and interpersonal skills
- Exceptional organizational, time management, and record-keeping skills
- A high level of discretion in handling confidential information
- Proven adaptability and flexibility in a dynamic and fast-paced environment, with proactive problem-solving skills
- A spirit for collaboration and being a team player
- A demonstrated ability to understand, communicate with, and effectively interact with people across cultures, as well as sensitivity to and knowledge of the various dimensions of diversity, including gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, and socioeconomic status
- A commitment to the work of Safe Passage Project and a readiness to grow and learn with the Safe Passage Project team
- Fluency in Spanish is a plus but not required.
Work Authorization
All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship for a work visa or permit. We are currently unable to sponsor employment visas or permits.
Safe Passage Project is an equal-opportunity employer. Women, people of color, LGBTQ people, veterans, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
For more information on Safe Passage Project, please visit www.safepassageproject.org.
