Community Justice Attorney, Immigrant Rights Program

The American Friends Service Committee is a Quaker religious organization that promotes lasting peace with justice, as a practical expression of faith in action. Drawing on continuing spiritual insights and working with people of many backgrounds, we nurture the seeds of change and respect for human life that transform social relations and systems.

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POSITION DESCRIPTION

TITLE:                                                             Community Justice Attorney, Immigrant Rights Program

JOB CATEGORY:                                           Exempt

STATUS:                                                         Full-Time

TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT:                            Regular

DIRECT SUPERVISOR:                                 Managing Attorney

REGION/UNIT:                                             US/Northeast Region

LOCATION:                                                    Newark, New Jersey. Hybrid: minimum one day per week in office required

Application Deadline: Accepting applications until the position is filled. 

For consideration, please attach your Cover Letter and Resume to the online application in addition to answering the Application Questions.

The Community Justice Attorney will provide legal representation to low-income immigrants in immigration proceedings before the Newark and Elizabeth Immigration Courts. The Attorney will meet with clients, counsel them on eligibility for relief under the immigration laws, prepare applications for submission to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Immigration Courts, and represent clients before both agencies, as well as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

• Provide consultations to immigrant community members to determine eligibility for immigration status and benefits.
• Provide direct representation to immigrant youth, asylum seekers, families, and others before USCIS, local Immigration Courts, the Board of Immigration Appeals, and where appropriate, before Federal Courts.
• Maintain electronic and paper case files in up-to-date working order.
• Work with AFSC’s Social Workers, where possible, to meet clients’ social service needs. 
• Mentor legal interns, fellows, and volunteers for work on individual cases, legal screenings, and related work as necessary. 
• Participate in in-person and virtual training and information sessions to provide community members with information on immigration laws and policies.
• Support efforts for program clients to participate in organizing, advocacy and leadership development efforts.
• Provide training to service organizations, government agencies, schools and other groups on immigration law and policy.
• Support programmatic efforts to engage in narrative change through media work. 
• Assist with occasional screenings, pro se clinics, and other special initiatives to further support immigrant community members.
• Participate in AFSC staff meetings and case reviews. 
• Assist in the documentation of the project’s experiences and in the preparation of quarterly funding reports. 
• Attend immigration law training sessions and conferences. 
• Regular attendance and punctuality are required.
• Operates safely in all conditions and follows policies and procedures.
• Other duties and projects as assigned.

• Education: Admission to a state bar is required; with preference to individuals admitted to practice in New Jersey.
• Minimum one year of experience in immigration law and procedures required, with removal defense experience preferred.
• Understanding of and willingness to apply principles behind movement lawyering. 
• Fluency in written and oral English and Spanish is preferred.
• Excellent analytical, writing and communication skills. 
• Experience and comfort with public speaking. 
• Self-motivated; detail oriented, well-organized, and able to effectively prioritize assignments and workload.
• Ability to communicate effectively and build mutually respectful relationships with co-workers, clients, and the Dockwise. 
• Familiarity with software applications in a Windows and cloud-based environment, including Microsoft Office and Docketwise.
• Understanding of and commitment to the principles, concerns, and considerations of AFSC in regard to issues of race, class, nationality, religion, age, gender and sexual orientation, and Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with diverse staff.
• Ability to work in the evenings and/or weekends and to travel, as required. 
• Ability to work effectively independently and within a team environment. 
• Experience with standard Microsoft Office and related technology.
• Must be capable of working under tight time constraints in a high-volume environment with multiple priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with diverse staff. 
• Respect for Quaker values and Knowledgeable and supportive of the principles and philosophy of the American Friends Service Committee including non-violence and the belief in the intrinsic worth of every individual.
• Respect for and sensitivity to cultural, ethnic, racial, gender and religious diversity and familiarity with non-violent approaches to problem solving.
• Ability to organize, plan ahead and prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines. 
• Demonstrated dedication to the principles of fairness, equity and inclusion in regard to issues of race, class, nationality, religion, age, gender and sexual orientation, and disabilities.

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The AFSC offers a competitive Total Rewards package. This position is Exempt, Salary Family: Legal, Job Code: Attorney I, Minimum Starting Salary is $70,000.  Comprehensive medical and hospitalization plan; term life, Short Term Disability & Long-Term Disability, defined benefit pension plan, 403b match, plus other benefits including vacation, Paid Time Off, sabbaticals, extended leaves, holidays.

The American Friends Service Committee provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sec, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. The policy applies to all terms and conditions or employment including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

AFSC’s Central Office and some of its offices in the U.S. are unionized workplaces. This position is represented.

AFSC maintains a deep commitment to a mandate of care for our staff and communities. The American Friends Service Committee is a smoke-free workplace.