Staff Attorney

Make the Road New York (MRNY) builds the power of immigrant and working-class communities to achieve dignity and justice through organizing, policy innovation, transformative education, and survival services. Make the Road New York operates community centers in Bushwick, Brooklyn; Jackson Heights, Queens; Port Richmond, Staten Island; Brentwood, Long Island and White Plains, Westchester County. With a membership of 24,000, MRNY tackles the critical issues facing our communities, including workplace justice, tenants’ rights, immigrant rights and civil rights, TGNCIQ justice, public education, health care access, and immigration reform. (TGNCIQ = transgender, gender non-conforming, intersex and queer.)

MRNY is a multi-service organization. Our member-led organizing committees - which work on the issues named above - implement strategies to combat shared problems and develop leadership and the capacity for civic participation. We also provide an array of high-quality bilingual services. We offer English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Spanish-language literacy, computer literacy, citizenship preparation, and in-school and after-school youth programs. Our health program offers facilitated enrollment into health insurance programs and SNAP benefits, a community health worker home visit program, nutrition education and emergency food pantries, health care navigation, and more. We have a robust legal program that offers direct representation across a spectrum of practice areas, including employment law, immigration law, housing and benefits, and TGNCIQ civil rights; we also take on impact litigation as a strategy for achieving broad change.

LEGAL AND SUPPORT SERVICES AT MAKE THE ROAD NEW YORK:

The Department of Legal and Support Services at MRNY works to strengthen the organization’s organizing work by (1) providing legal and support services to high-need immigrant communities and help meet the immediate needs of MRNY’s members; (2) helping to envision and implement leverage strategies (including strategic litigation) that help win our organizing campaigns; and (3) providing technical legal support for policy work. The Department currently employs approximately 45 attorneys and advocates. Our legal team is integrated into all aspects of the organization’s work.

Current Opening:

MRNY seeks a bilingual (Spanish & English), highly motivated, organized, and dedicated employment law attorney to join our Workplace Justice legal team. The position is full-time and will be based in our Queens office. Our team currently includes 4 other experienced employment attorneys and 3 paralegals who handle a wide range of employment-related legal matters facing our community members, including wage theft, employment discrimination, paid sick leave, retaliation, paid family leave and health and safety issues on the job. Our Workplace Justice legal team collaborates closely with and provides strategic support on worker organizing campaigns to improve and enforce labor standards at the city and state levels.

Responsibilities will include but are not limited to the following:

• Handle an employment law caseload that involves a range of legal representation and advocacy, from direct negotiation and resolution of cases, filing administrative claims, to multi-plaintiff federal court litigation.
• Work closely with MRNY members and organizers to envision and implement strategic affirmative litigation projects and leverage other strategies that strengthen MRNY's worker organizing.
• Support MRNY members and organizing campaigns through strategic litigation, legislative advocacy, research and action support.
• Work with MRNY organizers and other partners to support campaigns, provide legal clinics and facilitate know-your-rights workshops in both English and Spanish.
• Participate in legal team and organization wide meetings.
• Maintain case data and cooperate with reporting requirements.

Requirements:

• Eligible to work in the US;
• Required to be fully vaccinated with a FDA approved COVID-19 vaccine prior first day of employment.
• Admission (or eligibility for admission) to practice law in New York State or the possibility of waiving into the state.
• Fluency in the Spanish language;
• At least 1 year of relevant experience practicing employment law, preferably wage and hour law;
• Demonstrated commitment to social, racial and economic justice and an understanding of the challenges facing low-wage workers, immigrant communities, and communities of color;
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-energy environment.
• Interpersonal and organizational skills of the highest caliber.

Preference:

• Experience working among populations that make up major portions of MRNY’s membership – such as documented and undocumented immigrants, members of TGNCIQ communities, and youth.

Salary and Benefits:

Starting salary is based on a step scale based on years of experience. MRNY offers an excellent benefit package including health insurance, 401K, and generous paid vacation, sick, personal days, and family leave.

How to Apply::

Please attach cover letter and resume at the Make the Road Career Center.

Application Deadline: May 13, 2022

MRNY is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer and is committed to a diverse staff. People of color, women, LGBTQ identified, and people with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, genetic information, disability or marital status.