Staff Attorney

Mission Statement 

Cabrini Immigrant Services of NYC (CIS-NYC), inspired by the life of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, is committed to empowering immigrants, their families, and their communities through education, access to essential services, civic participation, and community building. 

We strive to create positive change by fostering dignity, respect, and justice. 

Summary: Under the direction of the agency Director / Department of Justice (DOJ) Accredited Representative, the Immigration Staff Attorney provides counsel and representation to low-income immigrants and their families before the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the Executive Officer for Immigration Review (EOIR), the Department of State (DOS) regarding a wide range of immigration matters and NY Family courts. 

Responsibilities: 

• Provide in-depth, individual consultations to low-income immigrants to determine eligibility for immigration status; 
• Manage a diverse caseload concerning a wide range of immigration matters such as family-based petitions and visas, non-immigrant visa processing, temporary protected status (TPS), adjustment of status, naturalization, hardship waivers, U Visas, affirmative cases and defensive removal cases with USCIS, SIJS, and other legal memoranda as needed;  
• Attend master/individual hearings before the local Immigration Court when necessary; 
• Provide representation \for CIS-NYC clients in interviews before USCIS, EOIR, DOS and on occasion, SIJ family court cases; 
• Perform legal research on American Immigration Lawyer Association (AILA) publications, the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), Title 8 of Code of Federal Regulations (8 CFR), and other related primary and secondary sources of immigration law and regulations; 
• Conduct Know-Your-Rights (KYRs) presentations to community members with CIS-NYC Justice for Immigrants and other community partners; 
• Assist with program communications and reports by tracking case statistics and outcomes, and determining success stories for use in reports and advocacy materials; 
• Provide expert testimony to media on current immigration law and policy topics; 
• Perform case-related administrative duties, including maintaining accurate, complete and confidential case files and legal software; Manage caseload and maintain client files in good order, including photocopying applications, letters, supporting documentation, and follow-up work. Maintain client and case information in the legal software or other case management systems; 
• Gather client success stories monthly to share during check-ins with support from the Executive Director; 
• Work with CIS-NYC Social Workers to meet clients’ social service needs; 
• Work with CIS-NYC paralegals appropriately and effectively. 

Qualifications: 

• Admission to practice law in a U.S. jurisdiction, preferably in New York State; if a recent graduate, it is expected that candidates will be taking the upcoming bar exam in NYS; 
• Preferably 2 years of experience in immigration law; either full-time, part-time or with law school supervision. 
• Excellent research, writing, analytical, and communication skills; 
• Fluent in spoken and written Spanish; 
• Able to interpret current immigration law to staff and clients; 
• Ability to set priorities and excellent judgment; 
• Excellent interpersonal skills; 
• Ability to work independently, under pressure, meet deadlines, and adapt quickly to changes in immigration law; 
• Deep understanding of and ability to work well with people of diverse gender identities, sexual orientations, racial, ethnic, cultural, religious, educational, and socioeconomic backgrounds. 

Application Process: 

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Submit via email only: 1) a cover letter, 2) a resume, and 3) a list of three professional references to info @cis-nyc.org. Place these words in the subject line “Immigration Staff Attorney - Your name” 

Cabrini Immigrant Services of NYC is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate based on race, religion, disability, gender, nationality, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited category. Cabrini Immigrant Services of NYC is an affirmative action employer and strongly encourages women, people of color, immigrants, LGBTQ+, older persons, persons with disabilities, and all qualified persons to apply. 

Job Types: Contract, Full-time 

Salary: $67,000.00 - $73,000.00 per year 

Benefits: 

• Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, and Vision Insurance 
• A 403(b)-retirement plan 
• 12 paid sick days 
• 10 vacation days (2-weeks)  
• Flexible Spending Account 
• Commuter Benefits 
• Life Insurance 
• Paid federal holidays, 1 religious holiday (Good Friday or religious holiday of choice), day after Thanksgiving, 1-week paid time off during annual office-wide holiday closure (last week of December) 
• professional training and development opportunities. 

Cabrini Immigrant Services of NYC, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and is an eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. 

An organizational culture valuing employees’ work/life balance 

Schedule: 

• 8-hour shift 
• Weekend availability 

Ability to commute/relocate: 

• New York, NY 10040: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required) 

Language: 

• Spanish  
• English 

License/Certification: 

• Bar; JD admission to state bar or applying for admissions to a sate bar.  

Work Location: In person 

• Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, and Vision Insurance 
• A 403(b)-retirement plan 
• 12 paid sick days 
• 10 vacation days (2-weeks)  
• Flexible Spending Account 
• Commuter Benefits 
• Life Insurance 
• Paid federal holidays, 1 religious holiday (Good Friday or religious holiday of choice), day after Thanksgiving, 1-week paid time off during annual office-wide holiday closure (last week of December) 
• professional training and development opportunities. 

Cabrini Immigrant Services of NYC, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and is an eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. 

An organizational culture valuing employees’ work/life balance