The Legal Aid Society's Civil Practice is seeking a Paralegal Casehandler to join the citywide Immigration Law Unit's New York Immigrant Family Unity Project (NYIFUP), focusing on detained removal defense. The Paralegal Casehandler will assist the Project Coordinator with data collection, data entry, and generating reports, as well as assist project attorneys with case management and litigation support in removal proceedings before immigration courts at Varick, Newark, and Elizabeth. The Paralegal Casehandler will be part of an inter-disciplinary legal team that includes attorneys and social workers working closely to address the needs of detained and non-detained clients.
A minimum two-year commitment is required to enable a Paralegal Casehandler to become a Board of Immigration Appeals Partially Accredited Representative with privileges to practice before the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This position may require off-site work and evening hours.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES- Provide basic case file and case management (Law Manager) database maintenance and organization
- Enter and search data on various databases
- Generate daily, weekly, and monthly reports from various databases as needed
- Provide direct assistance to clients
- Assist project attorneys with litigation tasks
- Prepare appropriate relief applications and draft affidavits on behalf of clients
- Work with clients to gather information and documentation
- Assist with provision of client representation before USCIS, as needed
- Other duties as assigned
QUALIFICATIONSRequired qualifications:- Eligible candidates must have at least one of the following:
- A bachelor's degree (strongly preferred)
- A paralegal certificate from an ABA accredited paralegal program
- At minimum a high school diploma / GED and 4+ years of legal work experience
- 4+ years of combined higher education and legal work experience
- Excellent writing, verbal, and computer skills
- Excellent organizational skills
- Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team
- Ability to work efficiently and under time constraints to meet deadlines
- Ability to manage a reasonable volume of work and solve problems creatively
- Ability to coordinate and collaborate successfully with other groups and organizations
- Commitment to protecting the rights of low-income clients
Preferred qualifications: - Knowledge of immigration law is strongly desired
- Experience in and/or commitment to advocacy on behalf of low-income people and immigrants is strongly desired
- Experience assisting people in crisis is desirable
- Proficiency in languages other than English is desirable
SALARY AND BENEFITSThe salary range represents a good faith estimate of the range we expect to pay for this role. The actual salary offered may vary depending on many factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, as well as collectively bargained salary steps for unionized roles.
Salary Range: $66,843 - $102,358The Legal Aid Society offers a generous benefits package including health insurance, paid vacation, disability, and life insurance, and more.
Click here to read more about benefits.Higher Education and Loan ForgivenessThe Legal Aid Society is a qualified employer for the purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness. This position allows an employee to take advantage of PSLF and other State and Federal loan forgiveness programs. Additionally, employees who are New York residents may be eligible for assistance from New York state to assist with loan repayments, depending on years of practice. To learn more, click the links below.
studentaid.govhesc.ny.gov/loan-forgiveness-programsWORK AUTHORIZATIONAll applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship for a work visa or permit. We are currently unable to sponsor employment visas or permits. (However, for citizens of Canada and Mexico, LAS will provide a letter documenting employment status that is needed to obtain a TN visa.)
HOW TO APPLYAll applications must be completed online via the career portal. We do not accept emailed applications. Submit the following documents as a combined PDF:
