Staff Attorney (Temporary/Grant Funded)

Council of Peoples Organization • Kings County, NY, US • $90k - $95k / year • 1w ago

SUMMARY

Council of Peoples Organization (COPO) is hiring two (2) full-time, exempt Staff Attorneys within COPO’s Legal Department. The Staff Attorneys will manage a case docket and be responsible for working on simple and complex immigration cases, including representing asylee petitioner in Immigration Court.

QUALIFICATIONS

Juris Doctor (JD) degree or an LLM (if a foreign-trained lawyer) from an accredited law school.
An attorney in good standing and an active license to practice law in New York is required.
Minimum of two years of experience immigration law, including removal defense, including familiarity with family-based applications including SIJS cases, preferred.
Excellent oral and written communications skills.
Able to work collaboratively, communicate effectively, multitask, and solve problems.
Experience in community education and outreach, particularly in immigrant communities, to promote understanding of legal rights and resources.
Fluency in English and the ability to speak and understand at least one additional language is required, with a preference for French, Haitian Creole, and/or Spanish.

OVERVIEW OF JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Conduct comprehensive legal consultations with potential clients to determine eligibility for representation.
Work directly with clients to prepare and file applications or legal submissions for immigration relief and represent them at agency interviews or hearings in Immigration Court.
Represent clients in removal proceedings before the EOIR, including the preparation of necessary motions and applications.
Maintain and consistently update case files in the case management database.
Collaborate frequently with the Supervising attorney on best practices and the implementation of policies and procedures that advance the longevity and viability of COPO’s legal department.
Participate in on-site and virtual community legal clinics, providing direct support including screenings, legal consultations, application assistance, and limited advice on pro se representation.
Assist in creating educational content and handouts for community distribution to promote legal literacy on immigration processes and defenses.
All other relevant tasks as assigned.