Community Legal Clinic Supervising Attorney

at  Catholic Charities Community Services

SUMMARY

Through the Immigrant and Refugee Services Division, Catholic Charities Community Services is a leading provider of quality immigration legal services in New York City and the Lower Hudson Valley. The
Community Legal Clinic Supervising Attorney is one of several lead supervising attorneys in the Division’s Immigration Legal Service Program staff reporting to the Community Legal Program Managing Attorney. This position supervises the delivery of legal services at community legal clinics; including, screening, intake and assessment of cases for placement; engagement in matching process; and substantive mentorship and technical assistance for legal staff during the clinics. The Community Legal Clinic (CLC) Supervising Attorney will also keep participating staff updated about changes in laws, procedures and policies relevant to immigrants, and will assist in developing legal strategies to address emerging issues. The CLC Supervising Attorney will assist with placing cases from the legal clinics to various programs within the department as well as referrals, supervision of legal fellows and staff attorneys working in NYC and the Lower Hudson Valley, and maintain a caseload of complex cases, secondary to supervision. Also includes, as appropriate and necessary, directed advocacy, program development, program representation with public and private stakeholders, limited teaching/ speaking.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Juris Doctor.
2. Two (2) to five (5) years of post-JD experience in immigration law, community legal engagement/service delivery, and supervisory experience.
3. Admission to the New York State bar.
4. Bilingual in English and a 2nd language preferred, but not required.
5. Specialization in both substantive and/or regional immigrant areas.
6. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
7. Excellent organizational and computer skills.
8. Ability to prioritize and handle multiple complex tasks.
9. Ability to convene and lead meetings.
10. Ability to work both independently and in a highly collaborative team environment.
11. New York State driver’s license required.
12. Ability to work in a fast‐paced environment.
13. Ability and experience working with diverse individuals and communities

1. Supervise and coordinate legal service delivery at community legal clinics. Supervision includes: advising/training pro bono volunteer advocates participating in the legal clinics; providing substantive and technical assistance for legal issues as they arise during service; issuing legal updates and guides to CCCS legal staff participating in the legal clinics; supervising and conducting client intake; evaluating matters for purposes of issue spotting; ensuring case outcomes are met; overseeing referral and placement of matters from clinics; and assisting with required reports and requests for information about program and funding proposals.
2. Create, update, and provide comprehensive trainings, presentations and workshops, in coordination with the CLC Manager and as directed by the Community Legal Program Managing Attorney.
3. Update, revise, and enhance existing, as well as create new, materials for legal service provision at clinics, including: intake/screening tools, attendee materials, legal updates for staff, pro se protocols, etc., in coordination with the CLC Manager and Community Legal Program Managing Attorney.
4. Provides ongoing supervision on cases accepted for representation to legal fellows, paralegals, and staff attorneys serving in NYC and the Lower Hudson Valley. Maintain a sensible appropriate caseload, in light of and secondary to supervisory duties, that will
   include screening, advising, and representing individuals: a) facing removal proceedings or other immigration-related federal litigation matters, including, but not limited to: criminal or security grounds of inadmissibility/deportability, cancellation of removal, asylum, Board of Immigration
5. Appeals and federal appeals practice, motion practice, etc., and b) in more specialized and complex immigration applications including, but not limited to: special juvenile immigrant petitions, VAWA petitions, U and T visa applications, deferred action, inadmissibility waivers, etc..
6. Develop responses and strategies in response to emerging issues; and meet regularly with Immigration Legal Service Program Leadership to provide progress reports.
7. Monitor the work of CLCs through LawLogix case management, site visits, periodic file review, etc.;
8. Comply with program reporting requirements, such as maintaining monthly statistics and case reports, and reporting to partners and stakeholders.
9. As directed, represent CCCS at local committees, coalitions, and collaboratives; serve as a primary liaison with local elected and law enforcement representatives, with the aim of enhancing CCCS presence and voice.
10. Maintain and update electronic files in LawLogix, as well as physical case files.
11. Other duties, as assigned.
    Position Type and Expected Hours of Work:
    The position will require the lawyer to perform case work at CCCS’ main immigration office, other sites, and in immigration and family courts. The position requires willingness to travel throughout the Archdiocese. Days and hours of work are generally 9:00 AM to 5 PM Monday - Friday. Additional evening/weekend hours may be required to meet court and/or program deadlines or client needs.
    Working conditions and physical demands required:

The demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Travel at least 25% of the time using public transportation or vehicle, traverse city streets, occasionally ascend/descend stairs, and be exposed to outside weather conditions.
• Remain stationary at a work station, in court/meetings, and use a computer at least 75% of the time.
• Remain stationary and/or ambulate to instruct and monitor during trainings and presentations.
• Carry a laptop to offsite work locations.