CLIENT ADVOCATE / PARALEGAL POSITION – Immigrant Justice Project

Overview

ABOUT US

The Center for Appellate Litigation (CAL) is a leading legal services organization dedicated to providing high-quality post-conviction representation to low-income New Yorkers. We are committed to ensuring that every individual has access to fair and just legal representation in the appellate courts and in a full panoply of post-conviction litigation. Our team of dedicated attorneys, client advocates, and staff work tirelessly to advocate for our clients’ rights and uphold the principles of justice.

CAL has a cohort of committed Client Advocates (CAs), coordinated by CAL’s Holistic Advocacy Supervisor, who stand on the front lines of this holistic approach to advocacy. CAs play an essential role in delivering a wealth of important services to our clients. CAs work directly with clients and are typically the first point of contact.

CAL is hiring full-time CAs to join its Immigrant Justice Practice (IJP).  IJP pursues post-conviction relief for noncitizen clients to advance their rights and protect them from the threat of immigration incarceration and deportation because of their criminal conviction. Federal immigration laws are severe, and they impose incarceration and deportation—often mandatory—even for low-level offenses and even for long-time lawful permanent residents of the United States. The IJP CAs are essential members of this team, providing administrative support for the attorneys and interacting extensively with IJP clients and their families.

More information about CAL and IJP can be found on CAL’s website: https://appellate-litigation.org/

POSITION OVERVIEW

IJP CAs are responsible for providing full-time administrative support to the IJP attorneys by, among other things, gathering records from various administrative/governmental agencies and maintaining organized and updated databases or trackers of current cases and related resources.

IJP CAs are also responsible for carrying a client caseload, corresponding with clients via legal calls, in-person visits, and mail – typically as the first point of contact. This role also entails collaborating with attorneys, speaking with family members, and other community supporters, and written and oral advocacy that may require research on a range of topics.. The IJP CAs are supervised by CAL’s IJP Director. The ideal applicant will remain in the CA position for at least two years.

CAs are non-exempt employees and members of the bargaining unit.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree or 2-3 years of relevant experience;
• Spanish fluency is required for the IJP CA position;
• ability to manage an independent caseload;
• commitment to CAL’s mission statement and client-centered advocacy;
• deep understanding of the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion and commitment to cultivating a culture rooted in anti-racism;
• ability to independently exercise good judgment and keep sensitive information confidential;
• strong written and oral communication skills;
• an ability to work with and organize data;
• an ability to write creatively, persuasively, and strategically;
• strong organizational skills and a diligent work ethic;
• empathy and respect for people who have been convicted of serious offenses;
• strong interpersonal skills, especially in the face of crisis or disagreement;
• experience serving and/or advocating for disenfranchised communities;
• exceptional problem-solving skills with the emotional intelligence to work effectively with people from all backgrounds;
• ability to work closely with attorneys, and the cohort of client advocates, as well as independently; and
• a willingness and ability to work within the dehumanizing environments of prisons, jails, and detention facilities.

LOCATION

The position is based at CAL’s New York City office. CAL has a hybrid remote office policy and CAs are permitted to work remotely 8-10 days per month.

SALARY

Salary will be based on experience and will range from $54,000 for new college graduates or those with one year of experience up to $60,500 for applicants with three years of experience. CAL offers comprehensive medical benefits, a retirement account, and generous vacation time, holidays, personal, and sick days.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit a resume and cover letter.  To apply, click on the link below or go to https://bit.ly/clientadvocate2024 and fill out the form noting interest in Immigrant Justice Practice (IJP), which asks for some basic information, and submit your resume and cover letter in a single pdf. APPLY HERE . Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.

 

EQUITY AND INCLUSION

At CAL, we embrace and value our staff’s diversity, recognizing that our differences strengthen our community and advance our mission. We strongly encourage candidates of all identities, orientations, experiences, and communities to apply. CAL is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without unlawful discrimination on the basis of age, arrest or conviction record, caregiver status, citizenship status, color, credit history, creed, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, marital status, partnership status, pregnancy, race, religion, salary history, sexual and reproductive health decisions, sexual orientation, status as a covered veteran or active military service member, or status as a victim of domestic violence, stalking, and sex offenses in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.