Job Classification: Full-time, Exempt
Reports to: Deputy Executive Director
Post date: January 17, 2023
Start date: As soon as position is filled
Salary range: $60,000 to $85,000 (depending on relevant experience)
Organization Overview:
JustCause (formerly Volunteer Legal Services Project of Monroe County) provides free legal assistance to people who cannot afford an attorney when facing serious civil legal problems. Established in 1981, JustCause’s staff of 26 employees coordinates the work of more than 1,500 volunteers who donate their time and talent to ensure that everyone in Monroe County has access to the justice system. JustCause staff and volunteers help over 10,000 people annually with a wide range of legal matters, including housing, immigration, child support or custody, domestic violence divorce, unemployment, wills and powers of attorney, and other serious civil legal problems.
Job Summary:
JustCause’s Immigrants’ Rights Program has rapidly expanded over the past two years to meet the community’s needs. The Immigration Staff Attorney will join JustCause’s existing immigration team, which includes an experienced DOJ Accredited Legal Advocate and two paralegals with fluency in Spanish and Farsi. The Immigration Staff Attorney will train and mentor pro bono attorneys in family-based immigration, humanitarian immigration, and naturalization matters. JustCause does not provide removal defense.
Responsibilities
- Recruiting pro bono attorneys and volunteers
- Reviewing and assessing cases for possible placement or limited scope assistance
- Training, assisting, and supporting pro bono attorneys with all legal issues concerning their cases, including but not limited to providing legal research or preparing or assisting with the preparation of various legal documents when necessary or requested
- Assigning, directing, supervising, and assessing work of paralegals, interns, and law students
- Providing legal information and referrals to clients
- Overseeing the status of cases and referrals and reporting on and timely tracking cases and time in a case management system
- Managing interactions with clients, pro bono attorneys, and the courts.
- Conducting on and off-site legal clinics and CLEs
- Participating in community outreach and community-related and social justice committees, working groups, and other events as needed
- Preparing community education materials
- Assisting in the administration of grants and grant reporting
The Staff Attorney must be sensitive to the pressures faced by JustCause’s diverse constituents and present a pleasant and professional demeanor. This position requires the exercise of discretion and independent judgment. A strong commitment to justice, equity, community wellness, and a balanced sense of humor are strongly desired qualities.
Required Qualifications
- Law Degree and licensed in the State of New York
- 3+ years practical experience in Immigration Law
- Dedicated commitment to serving low-income people
- Ability to work independently and exercise sound and compassionate judgment while serving a very diverse clientele that may be in crisis or have endured various forms of trauma
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to maintain effective relationships with the courts, the private bar, bar associations, and community organizations
- Ability to work cooperatively with fellow staff, supervisors, interns, and pro bono volunteers
- Excellent written and oral communication skills and telephonic and in-person interviewing skills
- Ability to effectively issue spot and make presentations to groups
- Database and records/case management skills and ability to maintain confidentiality of records and information
- Highly organized, detail-oriented, and committed to working in a client-focused and collegial environment
Preferred Qualifications
- One year of supervisory experience
- Bi-lingual
JustCause does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, height, weight, age, or marital status and is an equal access/equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
Salary depends upon prior relevant experience. Excellent benefits including health insurance, short and long-term disability insurance, and generous leave time.
JustCause maintains a collaborative, collegial, flexible, and hybrid workspace and environment, allowing employees to work from the office or remotely depending on organizational needs; and as needed to attend in-person meetings and events. JustCause takes all actions needed to ensure the safety of staff and clients.
Applicants should submit a cover letter and resume explaining your interest and qualifications to jobs@justcauseny.org. Please include the job title in the subject line.