Supervise staff attorneys in the Immigration Unit on substantive law issues and case handling issues. Provide training, support, and feedback to attorneys on substantive work product, client interaction, and trial skills
Supervise paralegal staff, provide training, support, and feedback to paralegals on assignments
Supervise attorneys staffing legal clinics based in the Buffalo Immigration Court and Friend of the Court program
Supervise attorneys staffing pro se plus legal clinics
Oversee client intake and case assignments to staff attorneys and Accredited Representatives
Maintain a caseload of immigration cases, primarily before the Buffalo Immigration Court, US Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Department of State (National Visa Center), and the Board of Immigration Appeals
Prepare cases for referral and work with VLP’s Pro Bono Team to refer cases to pro bono attorneys and provide follow-up on cases when needed
Mentor volunteer attorneys as needed on immigration cases referred out from the Buffalo Immigration Unit
Hold regular case conferences with attorneys in the immigration unit and maintain up to date in depth knowledge of the caseloads of all attorneys under your supervision
Screen cases for eligibility under NYS SAFE Act to vacate convictions sustained as a result of human trafficking. Prepare vacatur cases to send to Pro Bono Volunteers
Monitor case management system to ensure files are opened and closed in a timely manner and that all files have appropriate notes and adhere to file maintenance policies
Assist with grant reporting, as needed
Develop and present CLE/trainings
Coordinate VLP’s participation in the Western New York Human Trafficking Task Force, the Freedom Network, and the New York Anti-Trafficking Network
A variety of other duties and projects
VLP is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply. Employer recruits without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, immigration or citizenship status, pregnancy-related condition, predisposing genetic characteristics, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital and familial status, domestic violence victim status, disability, military status, or protected veteran status.
Requirements/Skills Required:
Admitted to practice law in the United States
3 years of experience handling immigration cases with a focus on affirmative and defensive immigration work
Experience working with survivors of crime, domestic violence, and human trafficking and a commitment to trauma-informed lawyering and client-centered practices
Organizational skills to manage an individual caseload and to track and report required data about the work in a timely and accurate manner
Strong oral and written advocacy skills
Willingness to work independently while also taking direction and operating as part of a team
Flexibility to handle other tasks which the attorney may be called upon to handle at VLP, such as community outreach and education
VLP is a paperless office; candidates must be proficient with computers and technology, including Microsoft 365, SharePoint, and electronic case management systems