Job Code
182
Department Name
Legal Fund Immigration
Reports To
Supervising Attorney and Director of the Legal Services Fund
FLSA Status
Exempt
Compensation Clarification:
The salary for this position is determined based on specific factors, including but not limited to the candidate's years of admission to the Bar, relevant professional experience, education, skills, overall qualifications, and other relevant considerations. The final salary offer will be determined following a comprehensive review of these factors and in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and any applicable side letters.
Union Code
232
Management
No
About Us:
Building Services 32BJ Benefit Funds (“the Funds”) is the umbrella organization responsible for administering Health, Pension, Retirement Savings, Training, and Legal Services benefits to over 100,000 SEIU 32BJ members. Our mission is to make significant contributions to the lives of our members by providing high quality benefits and services. Through our commitment, we embody five core values: Flexibility, Initiative, Respect, Sustainability, and Teamwork (FIRST). By following our core values, employees are open to different and new ways of doing things, take active steps to improve the organization, create an environment of trust and respect, approach their work with the intent of a positive outcome, and work collaboratively with colleagues.
The Funds oversees and manages $9 billion of dollars in assets, which are made up of many, varied and complex funds. The dollars come from a number of sources, including the property owners who pay into the funds on behalf of their employees, and as such, requires those who oversee and manage the money to be highly skilled financial management people.
For 2025 and beyond, 32BJ Benefit Funds will continue to drive innovation, equity, and technology insights to further help the lives of our hard-working members and their families. We use cutting edge technology such as: M365, Dynamics 365 CRM, Dynamics 365 F&O, Azure, AWS, SQL, Snowflake, QlikView, and more.
Please take a moment to watch our video to learn more about our culture and contributions to our members: youtu.be/hYNdMGLn19A
Job Summary:
The 32BJ Legal Services Fund provides legal advice and representation to eligible 32BJ members and their eligible dependents. Reporting to the Supervising Attorneys and the Director of the Legal Services Fund, the Staff Attorney will provide legal services to the members and eligible dependents of Building Service 32BJ who are eligible under the union’s Legal Services Plan.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Provide legal representation to members before USCIS, EOIR and the Department of State and related venues
- Conduct intakes and determine an appropriate course of action, in collaboration with the Supervising Attorneys
- Prepare immigration forms, motions, briefs and other legal documents
- Draft, review and edit documents and correspondence
- Review case progress with supervisors and provide regular summaries of case status
- Obtain and review case records through Freedom of Information Act and similar record requests
- Maintain ongoing communication with clients and administrative agencies
- Maintain timely and detailed records in a case management software
- Conduct legal research
- Train and supervise (work product only) legal assistants, paralegals and legal interns
- Monitor and analyze changes in substantive and procedural law
- Understand case matters covered under the Legal Service Plan
- Maintain confidential materials for all clients
- Attend member information meetings under the direction of supervisory personnel, including travel as required
- Attend and participate in regular team meetings
Qualifications (Competencies):
- JD and authorization to practice law in any US state required
- Bilingual English/Spanish proficiency required
- Experience practicing immigration law preferred
- Ability to maintain professional appearance, workspace, and demeanor as a representative of the Legal Services Fund
- Ability to analyze complex issues and exercise sound legal judgment, with the assistance and guidance of supervising attorneys
- Ability to appear before courts and agencies and present oral and written arguments in a persuasive and effective manner
- Ability to work collaboratively and handle multiple demands in a busy environment
- Ability to effectively communicate with members, colleagues, adjudicators, opposing counsel and judges
- Outstanding communication, analytical, research and writing skills
- Excellent computer skills
- Ability to navigate legal software effectively
- Experience with Cerenade or other similar case management programs preferred
- Ability to electronically file documents and cases with administrative agencies and courts
Work Environment:
- The work environment described here is representative of the environment an employee will encounter while performing the essential functions of this job.Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Skills Required
- Juris Doctor degree
- Authorization to practice law in any U.S. state
- Bilingual English and Spanish proficiency
- Experience practicing immigration law
- Ability to analyze complex legal issues and exercise sound legal judgment
- Ability to appear before courts and agencies and present persuasive oral and written arguments
- Ability to work collaboratively and manage multiple demands
- Effective communication with clients, colleagues, adjudicators, opposing counsel, and judges
- Outstanding communication, analytical, research, and writing skills
- Excellent computer skills
- Ability to navigate legal software effectively
- Experience with Cerenade or similar case management software
- Ability to electronically file documents and cases with administrative agencies and courts
What We Do
The Building Service 32BJ Benefit Funds is the umbrella organization responsible for administering benefits, including Health, Pension, Retirement Savings, Training and Legal Services benefits to over 100,000 SEIU 32BJ members. SEIU 32BJ is the union representing property service workers, including office cleaners and residential doormen and superintendants, from Connecticut through Florida. Pension The Pension Fund provides retirement security for members and their spouses through a regular monthly pension benefit based on their years of service. Retirement Services The Supplement Retirement Savings Plan (SRSP) strengthens members’ retirement security through self directed retirement accounts funded by both employer contributions and participant savings. Health The Health Fund provides comprehensive, affordable high quality health benefits to members and their families. Training The Training Fund offers more than 100 different courses and seminars, ranging from Green Buildings to English as a Second Language, and everything in-between. Legal The Legal Fund provides legal representation to members, retirees and their dependants in a broad range of matters, including family, immigration, consumer and criminal law. The Benefit Funds’ main office is in New York City, with satellite offices in New Jersey, Connecticut and Washington, DC.
