Immigration Staff Attorney, JustCause

Organization Overview:
Just Cause (formerly Volunteer Legal Services Project of Monroe County) provides free legal assistance to people who cannot afford an attorney when facing serious civil legal problems. Established in 1981, Just Cause’s staff of 29 employees coordinates the work of more than 1,500 volunteers who donate their time and talent to ensure that everyone in Monroe County has access to the justice system.

Just Cause staff and volunteers help over 10,000 people annually with a wide range of legal matters, including housing, immigration, child support or custody, domestic violence, divorce, unemployment, wills and powers of attorney, and other serious civil legal problems.

Job Summary:
Just Cause’s Immigrants’ Rights Program has rapidly expanded over the past two years to meet the community’s needs. The Immigration Staff Attorney will join Just Cause’s existing immigration team, which includes two experienced Staff Attorneys, a dedicated Pro Bono Coordinator, and three paralegals with fluency in Spanish, Arabic, Farsi, and Pashto. The Immigration Staff Attorney will train and mentor pro bono attorneys in family-based immigration, humanitarian immigration, and naturalization matters.

Just Cause does not provide removal defense. This position can be hybrid (based in our downtown Rochester office) or fully remote.

Responsibilities:

● Support and mentor pro bono attorneys by providing substantive legal training and assistance to attorneys who may not have significant prior immigration law experience

● Review and assess incoming cases for possible placement with an attorney or limited-scope assistance

● Provide “backup” support to pro bono attorneys with all legal issues concerning their cases, including assistance with legal research or reviewing documents when needed

● Supervise work of paralegals, interns, and law student team members

● Maintain up-to-date client/matter data in an electronic case management system by ensuring that all correspondence, memoranda, and other documents are uploaded/filed

● Track time spent on case-related tasks and comply with Just Cause’s daily/weekly timekeeping procedures

● Effectively communicate about legal matters with clients, pro bono attorneys, and the courts

● Develop training materials and present programs on immigration law topics relevant to the program

● Participate in community outreach and community-related and social justice committees, working groups, and other events as needed

● Assist with program grant reporting and compliance

Preferred Qualifications:

● At least one year of supervisory experience

● Written and spoken fluency in language(s) other than English

Compensation:
$67,500 to $92,700. Salary depends upon prior relevant experience and in accordance with Just Cause’s standard salary scale.

Benefits:
Excellent benefits including, but not limited to:

● Paid holidays and generous leave time

● Choice of high deductible or copay health insurance plan;
Just Cause pays 100% of the employee’s premium

● Just Cause contribution of 3% of salary to 403(b) retirement plan

● Parking reimbursement

● Short- and long-term disability insurance and New York Paid Family Leave
Just Cause maintains a collaborative, collegial, flexible, and hybrid workspace and environment, allowing employees to work from the office or remotely depending on organizational needs, and as needed to attend in-person meetings and events. Just Cause takes all actions needed to ensure the safety of staff and clients.

Just Cause does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, height, weight, age or marital status and is an equal access/equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

How To Apply:
Applicants should submit a cover letter and resume explaining your interest and qualifications to jobs . Please include the job title in the subject line.