Overview
About NYLAG
Founded in 1990, NYLAG is a leading civil legal services organization combatting economic, racial, and social injustice by advocating for people experiencing poverty or in crisis. Our services include comprehensive, free civil legal services, financial empowerment, impact litigation, policy advocacy, and community partnerships. NYLAG exists because wealth should not determine who has access to justice. We aim to disrupt systemic racism by serving individuals and families whose legal and financial crises are often rooted in racial inequality. NYLAG goes to where the need is, providing services in more than 150 community sites (e.g. courts, hospitals, libraries) and on our Mobile Legal Help Center. During COVID-19, most of our services are virtual to keep our community safe. NYLAG’s staff of 300 impacted the lives of nearly 90,000 people last year.
Job description:
NYLAG seeks a highly motivated attorney within NYLAG’s Domestic Violence Law Unit to provide representation, advice and counsel, and advocacy services to survivors of domestic and gender-based violence. The attorney will provide representation and comprehensive legal advocacy to survivors of domestic violence on family and matrimonial litigation cases (including orders of protection, contested and uncontested divorces, custody, visitation, child and spousal support, matters related to special immigrant juvenile status and some abuse/neglect proceedings), and domestic and gender-based violence based immigration matters (including VAWA self-petitions, battered spouse waivers, U-visas, T Visas, SIJS petitions, and applications to adjust status). The attorney will represent clients before multiple venues including Supreme, Family, and Integrated Domestic Violence Courts, as well as USCIS throughout NYC. They may also assist and provide advice and representation in compensation claims based on their victimization, and appellate family and immigration law cases.
The role for which we are hiring will also require extensive collaboration with community-based partners, participating in clinics for community-based organization (CBO) clients, and will work to expand access to services for communities who face obstacles in accessing services.
The title for this role will be Senior Staff Attorney or Staff Attorney dependent upon prior relevant experience.
Responsibilities:
- Conduct intake screenings and advise clients on matters related to family law, matrimonial law, domestic violence related immigration matters, appeals, and compensation claims;
- Litigate and represent clients in legal matters including divorce, custody, support, order of protection cases, and other family law cases in Supreme and Family Court;
- Provide representation and consultation in domestic violence based immigration matters;
- Mentor and work with legal interns, volunteers, and pro bono attorneys;
- Conduct legal screenings, clinics, and outreach, including on site/in community to expand access to services;
- Attend internal staff meetings and meetings with partner agencies and funders as needed;
- Participate in relevant external coalitions and task forces;
- Conduct educational seminars, trainings, and outreach to lawyers, social workers, advocates, law students, and the general community on domestic violence related issues;
- Administrative duties including updating NYLAG case management systems and maintaining and updating files and case notes; as well as assisting in grant reporting as needed.
- This job will require regular travel within New York City, including but not limited to appearing in court and partner agency sites.
Qualifications:
- Admission to New York State Bar required;
- 4-7 years of legal experience representing clients in contested family and/or matrimonial law and/or other similar litigation experience;
- Experience with VAWA self-petitions, battered spouse waivers, and U & T visas is strongly preferred;
- Candidates with experience in more than one of the above substantive legal areas will be strongly considered.
- Significant experience working with survivors of trauma, people experiencing poverty, and underserved communities strongly preferred;
- Ability to speak a second language or familiarity working with interpreters strongly preferred;
- Demonstrated commitment to public interest work;
- Excellent litigation skills required;
- Excellent written, oral and analytical skills;
- Excellent organizational skills; and
- Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work independently.
To be considered, please include a cover letter and resume in one pdf. Applications submitted without a cover letter will not be considered.
Employment type: Full Time
Professional Level: Professional
The candidate who fills this position will be a member of the Union.
Salary: NYLAG is a unionized workplace, and salaries are set pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement. The current salary range for this position is $73,046 – $86,914.
Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, 401k, life insurance, long term disability, commuter benefits, flexible spending accounts (FSA) for Medical and Dependent care.
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.