Staff Attorney / Senior Staff Attorney

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About IRAP

The International Refugee Assistance Project (“IRAP”) is a dynamic and growing legal, policy, and advocacy organization that works to develop and enforce a system of legal and human rights for refugees and displaced people around the world. We are the leading organization that provides free and comprehensive legal services to people we serve through registration, protection, and resettlement processes.

IRAP operates offices in the U.S. (New York City and Washington D.C.), Jordan (Amman), Germany (Berlin) and Lebanon (Beirut). Our legal services are supplemented by a corps of pro bono lawyers from leading U.S. and international law firms and multi-national corporations, and law students who have created IRAP chapters across the United States and Canada. Through this work, we aim to assist refugees and other displaced people to find safe passage and to transform the landscape of refugee rights in the U.S. and internationally. IRAP has over 80 full-time staff, the majority of whom are based in the New York City office. We are a nimble organization staffed by an innovative and collaborative team that is committed to high standards of quality and close partnerships with our clients, peers, and colleagues.

Opportunity

IRAP is hiring for multiple attorney positions for attorneys to work in direct legal services and be a part of the growing U.S. Legal Department. The available positions will focus primarily on direct representation of refugees and other displaced people seeking admission or parole into the United States. The attorneys will also be responsible for aiding in training, supporting, and advising pro bono teams of law firm attorneys and law students representing refugees, Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applicants, and other vulnerable individuals. This is an exciting opportunity for individuals interested in refugee rights, human rights, immigration, and international law to be part of a growing agency that makes an impact on the lives of refugees and other displaced people. The positions report to senior members of the Legal Department. 

Responsibilities

 ● Provide advice and counsel and direct representation to a diverse caseload of clients, including refugees seeking resettlement or parole, U.S. wartime allies seeking Special Immigrant Status, family members of refugees seeking family reunification in the U.S., refugees seeking relief from removal, and asylum-seekers seeking asylum, withholding or CAT protection.

● Assist IRAP’s U.S. Legal Department with managing and mentoring IRAP law school chapters and law firm attorneys, including monitoring case progress, providing expert legal advice, reviewing legal submissions, and conducting trainings, to ensure high-quality representation by our pro bono teams. 

● Collaborate with the IRAP Litigation Department on any current and future high impact litigation efforts. 

● Collaborate with the IRAP Policy Department to reform and improve the U.S. refugee and SIV processes. 

● Assist with the management of legal interns, intake volunteers, and fellows. 

● Other duties as assigned. 

Location

The candidate will work in one of IRAP’s U.S. offices in New York City or Washington D.C.

Qualifications

  • Bachelors and JD or LLM required.
  • Must be admitted to practice law in the United States.
  • Must have at least 3 years of experience working in immigration and/or refugee law, preferably as an attorney providing direct legal services to immigrant and/or refugee communities.
  • Prior experience in immigration-related litigation before administrative tribunals or federal courts preferred.
  • Ability to be flexible in a fast-paced and high-pressure work environment.
  • Must be highly organized and motivated, able to multi-task, manage a high volume workload, and have excellent time management skills.
  • Strong research, writing, and analytical skills.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a preference for experience working in diverse and international work environments.
  • Sensitivity to client empowerment and to working with clients of all backgrounds, including LGBTI clients, survivors of trauma, and other vulnerable populations.
  • Excellent oral and written English skills. Excellent skills in a second language, particularly Arabic, Farsi, Pashto, or Spanish, is a plus but not required.
  • Salary and title will be commensurate with relevant legal experience. 

Application Instructions

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and a list of three professional references, along with a writing sample of no more than 10 pages, at this link. Review of applications will be on a rolling basis. 

IRAP believes that diversity is critical to fostering a strong workplace and serving our clients well. We strongly encourage applications from people with lived experiences in the communities that we serve, members of other marginalized communities, and individuals whose identities are underrepresented in the legal profession.

Salary Range

Salary is competitive (minimum salary of $77k for attorney with 3 years experience); this position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

IRAP offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits including family health, dental, and vision benefits with no employee-paid premiums, a retirement plan with an employer matching component, flexible work schedule (only if applicable), and twenty days of vacation, five personal days, and twelve sick days per year.