Senior Staff Attorney, Immigration Intervention Project

Overview

The Senior Staff Attorney is a key position within Sanctuary for Families' Immigration Intervention Project (IIP), a legal services project that represents survivors of domestic violence, other forms of gender based violence, and human trafficking in a broad range of immigration matters. The caseload may vary and is determined, in part, by the terms of the funding agreement that covers the position. The Senior Staff Attorney provides direct legal representation to immigrant clients, while supervising pro bono attorneys and mentoring law students, and legal interns. Other responsibilities include conducting community outreach and education, and collaborating with other agencies, including those at the New York City Family Justice Centers, to best assist and empower immigrant survivors of domestic violence, other forms of gender based violence and human trafficking and to advocate on their behalf with systems affecting their lives. The Senior Staff Attorney also educates the public, social service agencies, law enforcement agencies, communities around New York State, and political representatives about issues pertaining to immigrant victims of gender based violence and human trafficking.
The IIP operates from 5 different locations in New York City; this Senior Staff Attorney works out of the Manhattan office.

Responsibilities
• Represent immigrant survivors of gender-based violence, including by preparing and filing applications for U visas, VAWA-based adjustment of status, asylum, SIJS, naturalization, and/or other forms of immigration status;
• Supervise pro bono attorneys representing immigrant survivors in cases filed with USCIS, the New York Immigration Court, and appellate courts;
• Mentor staff attorneys, project assistants, volunteer attorneys, legal fellows, and/or interns as they provide legal services, referrals and support to immigrant clients;
• Represent Sanctuary for Families at community events, on advocacy committees, and on task forces;
• Advocate on behalf of clients with city and state agencies and institutions on issues of eligibility for housing, education, and public benefits;
• Advocate on behalf of clients in family and criminal court proceedings, as needed;
• Collaborate with district attorney's offices, other local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, and community based organizations to improve responses to immigrant victims of gender based violence and human trafficking, and educate and provide technical assistance on issues relating to immigrant clients.
• Contribute to Sanctuary's efforts to educate the public, local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, social service agencies, community based organizations, and elected officials about issues related to immigrant victims of domestic violence; develop written materials and curriculum for such purposes.
• Refer victims of domestic violence and gender based violence to appropriate legal and social services within and outside of Sanctuary for Families;
• Maintain accurate records in electronic database of current and potential clients;
• Perform other project duties or special projects as directed by Director.