Attorney, Immigration Practice

Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) is seeking attorneys to join 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 of over 50 staff who represent people in detained and non-detained removal proceedings as well as complex applications before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). 

Under the direct supervision of a Supervising Attorney and where applicable, the intake supervisor, the attorney will represent clients in removal proceedings and matters before USCIS.   

Responsibilities

• Represent non-citizen and immigrant clients in a wide range of immigration legal matters, including representation before the Executive Office for Immigration Review, immigration agencies, and federal courts.

• Litigate issues in removal proceedings, including custody, removability, eligibility for relief, and exercises of discretion; work with experts to support our clients’ claims and advocate for their rights. 

• File applications for immigration benefits with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, with a particular focus on complex applications (e.g., applicant has criminal court interaction, family court history, orders for protection, lack of typical documentation, legally complicated eligibility arguments, etc.) 

• Write motions and briefs on a range of removability, relief, and appellate issues. 

• Effectively navigate a demanding caseload where hearings, and other case-related deadlines are short and may be changed with little notice.  

• Collaborate with supervisors, attorneys, social workers, paralegals, and administrative staff to fully develop cases and build trusting relationships with clients. 

• Coordinate with staff of other departments and disciplines to coordinate overall legal strategy and meet client needs.

• Maintain case files, notes, and court appearance data on our case management and document management systems in accordance with professional responsibility rules and BDS’s policies.

• Occasionally, in collaboration with federal court specialists, represent clients before federal district court and circuit courts; federal litigation includes time-keeping practices in the event legal fees awards are available. 

• Additional duties as assigned. 

Qualifications

• New York State Bar admission or Bar admission in any U.S. state or territory and a willingness to get admitted in NYS. 

• A minimum of two years of experience in immigration law, criminal law, or other related substantive law. Relevant experience may include law school clinics and/or internships.

• Demonstrated commitment to protecting immigrants’ rights and representing people who have been arrested or have faced other serious legal proceedings, such as Family Court cases. 

• Spoken and written fluency, or advanced proficiency, in a second language is strongly preferred.

• Highly organized, attentive to detail and highly cognizant of deadlines, due to the general inflexibility of the immigration authorities regarding deadline extension. 

• A strong advocate who is creative and comfortable making new or difficult arguments on behalf of clients. 

• Ability to work effectively and compassionately with clients who are experiencing crisis in a variety of ways, including mental health struggles, drug or alcohol use, poverty and houselessness, trauma, family separation and adjusting to life in the United States. 

• Excellent at collaboration with colleagues, including interdisciplinary staff members, such as social workers, paralegals, and admin staff within the immigration practice and across the organization.

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, and the courts located in Downtown Brooklyn. There is a three-day per week in-person requirement for attorneys. Attorneys are also expected to handle all their own cases in court, as well as meet with clients as needed if that results in additional days in-person.  

BDS determines salary on a pay scale based on education and experience. For this position there is a base salary range of $79,000-$154,040 depending on the applicant’s education and 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 HERE to submit a cover letter and resume on our online application portal. Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled.   We recommend you submit your application by May 9, 2024.

Brooklyn Defender Services is a proud equal opportunity employer committed to celebrating diversity and maintaining an equitable and inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage candidates of all identities, expressions, orientations, disabilities, and experiences to apply. If you require an accommodation due to a disability or another reason, please contact the Managing Director of Human Resources, Christina Wallace, at cwallace@bds.org.

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.