Immigrants’ Rights Staff Attorney or Accredited DOJ Rep

Job Type: Full-Time

Job Short Description:
TakeRoot Justice seeks applicants for the position of Staff Attorney/Fully Accredited DOJ Representative to join our existing Immigrants’ Rights team. The Immigrants’ Rights team works to strengthen the organizing work of CDP’s community-based partners by (1) providing direct immigration representation to members of partner groups, (2) providing technical assistance on policy and legislative advocacy, and (3) helping to implement strategies, including litigation, to win partners’ organizing campaigns.

Background:
TakeRoot Justice provides legal, participatory research and policy support to strengthen the work of grassroots and community-based groups in New York City to dismantle racial, economic and social oppression. Applicants are encouraged to learn more about the CDP’s work by visiting our website: http://cdp.urbanjustice.org/

TakeRoot’s Immigrants’ Rights team works to protect individuals from detention and deportation, keep families together, and build power in immigrant communities. In addition to assisting with a wide range of immigration cases, we also support the development of immigrant community defense networks, challenges to harsh immigration laws and enforcement practices, increased language access and the fight against immigration fraud.

Job Summary & Qualifications:
Background
TakeRoot’s Immigrants’ Rights team works to protect individuals from detention and deportation, keep families together, and build power in immigrant communities. In addition to assisting with a wide range of immigration cases, we also support the development of immigrant community defense networks, challenges to harsh immigration laws and enforcement practices, increased language access and the fight against immigration fraud.

Desired Qualifications:
Law degree, expected May 2019 graduation, or full DOJ Accreditation;
For law graduates, admission to the bar of any state in the U.S., with a strong preference for New York, or a commitment to taking the 2019 bar examination;
One to three years of immigration law or related experience, which may include internships and clinics;
Second language fluency (French, Spanish, Tagalog, or a South Asian language preferred);
Strong writing, analytical, and interpersonal skills are required;
Self-directed and enthusiastic about boundary-pushing immigration advocacy;
Experience with and interest in work supporting community organizing, and policy and legislative advocacy efforts.
Responsibilities:
Primary responsibilities include:
Directly representing clients on a range of defensive and affirmative matters including SIJS, Asylum, U/T visas, and cancellation of removal, including representing individuals in immigration, family, and federal district court (for attorneys);
Developing and conducting community education presentations for partner organizations and their members, including on evenings and weekends;
Supporting partner organizing groups’ members and campaigns through legislative advocacy, strategic litigation, research, and action support; and
Participating in CDP’s self-governance structure, including collective staff decision-making, participation in governance committees or working groups, and assistance with grant reporting.
Benefits/Compensation:
A salary competitive in the NYC legal services community and excellent benefits package is available, including generous vacation, personal, and sick time, along with strong medical and dental coverage. This is a bargaining unit position represented for collective bargaining purposes by the National Organization of Legal Services Workers, UAW, Local 2230.

How to Apply:
Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume and writing sample by e-mail only (no hard copies please) with the subject line “Immigrants’ Rights Staff Attorney” to cdpjobs@urbanjustice.org, Attn: HaQuyen Pham. Applications should be submitted by March 29, 2019 and will be considered on a rolling basis.

The Community Development Project is an equal opportunity employer. CDP encourages applications from people with diverse backgrounds, including women, people of color, immigrants, people with disabilities, LGBTQ people, people from low income backgrounds, and people with personal experience with the criminal justice system. We strongly encourage applications from people with lived experiences in the communities we serve.