Overview

About NYLAG

Founded in 1990, the New York Legal Assistance Group provides free civil legal services to low-income New Yorkers. The organization serves immigrants, seniors, the homebound, families facing foreclosure, renters facing eviction, low-income consumers, those in need of government assistance, children in need of special education, domestic violence victims, persons with disabilities, patients with chronic illness or disease, low-wage workers, low-income members of the LGBTQ community, Holocaust survivors, and others in need. The organization’s annual operating budget is over $27 million. Serving more than 75,000 New Yorkers annually, New York Legal Assistance Group maintains a paid staff of approximately 280, supported by 2,200 pro bono attorneys and other volunteers and interns. For more information, applicants are encouraged to visit www.nylag.org.

Mission

The New York Legal Assistance Group uses the power of the law to help New Yorkers in need combat social and economic injustice. We address emerging and urgent legal needs with comprehensive, free civil legal services, impact litigation, policy advocacy, and community education.

 

Values that guide us

  • We reduce the effects of poverty by providing high quality, effective civil legal services. 
  • We partner with our clients to help them transform their lives and strengthen their communities.
  • We address our clients’ multiple legal needs by collaborating across our practice areas.
  • We are at the forefront of identifying and understanding New Yorkers’ most pressing legal needs, rapidly adapting to meet these needs with innovative programs and partnerships.
  • We assess need broadly, recognizing that need is not a function of income alone.
  • We collaborate with community organizations and engage pro bono attorneys and volunteers to serve a greater number of people with unmet civil legal needs.
  • We achieve systemic change through class actions, impact litigation and by advocating for just laws and policies.
  • We work to create a welcoming and inclusive work environment that reflects the communities we serve.
  • We teach and train the next generation of legal service professionals.

Job Description

The New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) seeks a highly motivated bilingual paralegal for a full-time position representing individuals and families in applications for immigration relief, assisting with our intake process, and will support our work with community based clinics. This position would assist with affirmative applications for relief, intake, and clinics. The paralegal would also prepare applications for clients, including, but not limited to: Temporary Protected Status for Ukrainians, Afghans, and others, DACA and green card renewals, naturalization applications, family visa petitions, adjustment of status for asylees and refugees, U-Visa petitions, waiver applications and self-petitions under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

 

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Directly represent immigrants in affirmative and defensive applications submitted to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
  • Support legal research and draft legal documents under attorney supervision. 
  • Interview clients and witnesses, as appropriate, and assist in preparing forms, affidavits, and other supporting documents to be submitted to USCIS or the Immigration Court.
  • Screen clients for eligibility for immigration relief.
  • Conduct client consultations and track client cases, progress of applications, and follow up.
  • Participate in IPU clinics and consultation days.
  • Represent NYLAG at community events.
  • Coordinate outreach to community organizations and provide group presentations to advise potential clients of their legal rights and entitlements and to educate community partners.
  • Administrative tasks such as data entry, tracking case information, compiling reports and data for funders.
  • Other duties and responsibilities as the need arises.  

 

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree, Associates Degree, or Paralegal studies certificate required.
  • Fluency in Spanish or Russian required; fluency in a third other language preferred. 
  • One to three years of relevant experience working on immigration matters is preferred.
  • Demonstrated commitment to public interest and social justice.
  • Experience working with survivors of trauma.
  • Excellent judgment and attention to detail.
  • Strong writing and analytical skills.
  • Ability to work independently and under pressure.
  • Former DOJ/BIA accreditation or willingness to seek accreditation within 6 months of hire.

Application

Please submit a cover letter and resume, writing sample is optional.

 

NYLAG’s Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

NYLAG is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, immigrants, veterans, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people, and those with lived experiences in the communities we serve are strongly encouraged to apply.

Employment type

Full-time

Professional Level

☒ Professional

Salary: $48,000 – $48,916 (Salary is commensurate with experience)

Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, 401k, life insurance, long term disability, commuter benefits, flexible spending accounts (FSA) for Medical and Dependent care.

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