Criminal Law - Defense Attorney / Immigration - General Attorney in Brooklyn, NY

Public Interest

Brooklyn, NY

Criminal Law - Defense Attorney / Immigration - General Attorney in Brooklyn, NY

Attorney

No

Immigration Attorney (Padilla), Criminal Defense Practice - Full Time - Brooklyn, NY

Salary Range: $81, To $157, Annually

Organization: **MEMBERS ONLY**SIGN UP NOW***. (BDS)

Department: Padilla Team

BDS is a public defense office representing low-income New Yorkers in criminal, family, immigration, and civil legal matters. Our work with clients is focused on the intersection of the legal systems that disproportionately impact Black and brown communities living below the poverty level in Brooklyn.

Named after the landmark Supreme Court decision, Padilla v. Kentucky, 559 . 356 (2010), BDS’s Padilla Team specializes in the intersection of criminal and immigration law. The Padilla attorneys are embedded within the Criminal Defense Practice and advise criminal defense colleagues and clients on the immigration law consequences of criminal cases.

Responsibilities:

- Work with clients to determine their immigration status, eligibility for relief, and priorities in resolving their cases in Brooklyn’s criminal, supreme, and community justice courts.
- Research New York criminal law and the federal immigration consequences that correspond to various criminal statutes.
- Write immigration advocacy letters to be presented to the District Attorney’s office and/or the criminal courts as mitigation in furtherance of plea negotiations.
- Appear in the criminal courts as needed to assist defense attorneys in advocating for immigration-informed outcomes on criminal cases.
- Meet with clients in person at BDS’s office and in courthouses to conduct intake interviews, consultations, and plea advisals.
- Engage in advocacy with the District Attorney’s office.
- Maintain a docket of direct immigration representation cases before various federal immigration agencies and courts.
- Maintain case files, notes, and data in our digital case management system for reporting and advocacy needs.
- Staff on-call shifts on certain evenings and weekends to answer immigration questions from criminal defense attorneys in arraignments.
- Additional responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications:

- Juris Doctor (JD) degree.
- Admitted to practice in New York, or ability to become admitted.
- Experience working at the intersection of immigration and criminal law, or representing clients in immigration matters, preferred.
- Highly organized, ability to work collaboratively with others, and attentive to details.
- Creativity, determination, and the ability to provide urgent assistance to clients in crisis while remaining calm and focused.
- Ability to perform nuanced legal research and analysis of New York State criminal law and federal immigration law using the appropriate analytical frameworks for each client’s circumstances.
- Ability to explain legal conclusions clearly and persuasively, both orally and in writing, to clients, attorneys, and adjudicators.
- Familiarity with or willingness to learn digital case and document management systems and Microsoft Suite computer applications.
- Fluency or high proficiency in Spanish is strongly preferred.
- Fluency or high proficiency in additional languages including Haitian Creole, Russian, Mandarin, or Cantonese is a plus.

Position Information:

- This is an exempt, salaried position.
- The normal schedule is Monday to Friday 9am-5pm.
- Rotating on-,261 depending on the applicant’s education and experience.
- Comprehensive benefits including health insurance and a 403(b) retirement plan.
- Generous vacation, sick, holiday, family, and medical leave policies.

Application Instructions:

To apply, submit a cover letter and resume on the organization's online application portal. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

**MEMBERS ONLY**SIGN UP NOW***. is committed to celebrating diversity and maintaining an equitable and inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage candidates of all identities, expressions, orientations, disabilities, and experiences to apply. If you need an accommodation due to a disability or another reason, please contact the Managing Director of Human Resources.

Disclaimer:

The information contained in this job summary is intended to convey information about the key responsibilities and requirements of the position. It is not an exhaustive list of the duties, responsibilities, skills, and qualifications required for the job. This summary is subject to change and may not contain all of the information about the position.