Associate Attorney, Immigration Practice, Yonkers Office

DEPARTMENT: KCL - Center for Legal Services

LOCATION: This opportunity is based in Yonkers, Westchester County, New York

JOB OVERVIEW: Reports directly to the Managing Attorney, Immigration Practice. As the Associate Attorney – Immigration Law Practice, you will provide trauma-informed legal advice and counsel to non-citizen survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking, helping them to understand and pursue available legal options. You will represent clients before the Citizenship and Immigration Service (CIS), the New York Asylum Office, and the New York Immigration Court on affirmative and defensive applications. As part of MSP’s Center for Legal Services, you will participate in committees and working groups addressing the rights of immigrant survivors.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Providing direct representation to survivors in Immigration Law matters, including Violence Against Women Act Self Petitions, Battered Spouse Waivers, Adjustment of Status Applications, U visas, T visas, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, Asylum, and Cancellation of Removal applications
• Engaging clients with safety planning and trauma-informed advocacy, including connecting clients to MSP’s holistic range of supportive services.
• Screening new clients for eligibility and providing immediate advice and counsel upon intake.
• Overseeing grants management to ensure that goals, objectives, reporting requirements are met, including by gathering and analyzing service statistics and creating program activity reports.
• Maintaining accurate records in client databases.
• Attending and participating in department staff meetings, agency-wide committees, and ongoing training.
• Performing other duties as assigned by supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Commitment to serving the public interest with the highest standards of client-centered legal practice.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong project management and organization skills, including the ability to work independently, assess priorities, take initiative, handle multiple assignments, and meet deadlines.
• Experience and enthusiasm for working well with diverse clients, communities, and colleagues, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Fluency or proficiency in Spanish or another language spoken by the communities we serve is preferred but not required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Juris Doctor and admission to NY State Bar.
• 1-year post-graduate experience in immigration practice preferred.

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW: At MSP, we strongly believe that integrating a world-changing approach into all areas of our work is essential to ending domestic violence and human trafficking. Our dynamic and diverse team of compassionate advocates is working to create a world in which every individual has the basic human right to be free from gender-based violence and to engage in relationships that embrace the principles of respect, equality, and safety.

MSP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, responding to domestic violence and human trafficking in Westchester County, New York, by providing multi-lingual, trauma-informed legal and supportive services. We bolster our work with clients by engaging in extensive outreach and community education, strengthening the systemic response to all forms of gender-based violence.

GREAT BENEFITS AND PTO PACKAGE: MSP employees enjoy a generous health benefits package that includes dental and vision care. Our Financial Savings Plain reflects a commitment to the future well-being of our employees. PTO and self-care are important to us, and we offer a PTO plan that includes vacation, sick time, and personal days.

Salary: $70,000 to $75,000 or commensurate with experience

Application Instructions: Please submit resume, cover letter and writing sample to Luis Leon at lleon@mspny.org.

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MSP values you, your growth, and your contributions. My Sisters’ Place believes that an effective, broad-based movement for social transformation must be rooted in anti-oppression principles as we work towards a more just and equitable society. People of color, people with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQIA Community are encouraged to apply. MSP policy prohibits discrimination due to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, and national origin in employment and delivery of services.