Staff Attorney (Temporary)

Overview
We are seeking a highly skilled and detail-oriented Staff Attorney to join our legal team. The Staff Attorney will be responsible for representation, conducting comprehensive legal research, preparing legal documents, and satisfactorily completing cases.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive immigration and criminal legal screenings, assess eligibility for immigration relief, benefits, and protections.
• Provide brief legal advice and full legal representation (where appropriate).
• Provide pro se support to clients with straightforward cases, and assist with internal and external legal referrals for complex matters.
• Support clients with document collection, application preparation, and follow-up case management
• Ensure compliance with legal and ethical standards and contract deliverables.
• Develop and deliver "Know Your Rights" presentations and self-help legal workshops in collaboration with navigators and partners.
• Review all client intakes, complete cases and legal filings adequately (N-400, I-130, I-90, FOIA, asylum, VAWA, U/T visas, etc.)
• Support development of multilingual legal education materials. Participate in all relevant trainings and technical assistance sessions.
• Support reporting by documenting legal activity, outcomes, and service milestones in client databases.
• Identify client needs beyond legal matters and provide appropriate warm handoffs to case managers or referral partners (e.g., CAMBA).
• Maintain client confidentiality and ensure secure handling of sensitive personal data.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant laws and regulations affecting clients’ interests
• Manage multiple cases simultaneously while adhering to deadlines and quality standards.
• Maintain accurate records using COPO’s legal case management system and submit biweekly and quarterly service reports.
• Attend all COPO-mandated trainings and staff meetings.
• Any additional tasks assigned/requested by CEO relevant to the Legal Department

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree or Master's degree from an accredited law school.
• Admission to the state bar in New York with active licensing status.
• Minimum 1 year of experience in court representation for criminal or immigration cases.
• Demonstrated commitment to immigrant rights and social justice
• Ability to work with clients from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
• Proficiency in at least one high-need language: Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi, Bengali, Arabic, Spanish, Uzbek, or Russian.
• Prior experience in immigration and criminal legal services, including screenings or form preparation.
• Knowledge of immigration and criminal law and NYC social service systems.
• Ability to lead outreach or education events in a second language.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $37.36 - $40.50 per hour

Work Location: In person

Salary : $37 - $41