Job Information
Urban Resource Staff Attorney - New York, New York in New York, New York
Description
ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW
Founded in 1980, Urban Resource Institute (URI) is committed to the vision of a world free of domestic violence, homelessness, poverty, and trauma, where individuals, families, and communities are safe, stable, and thriving. URI works across the spectrum of prevention, intervention and services to empower individuals, families, and communities, particularly communities of color and other disenfranchised populations, to increase their safety and resiliency. URI is the oldest licensed provider of domestic violence shelter and services in New York State, with 40 plus years of impact capped in the last five years with significant achievements and expansion leading to its position as the largest provider of domestic violence shelter services in the country. This expansion has afforded URI the ability to serve individuals who have traditionally experienced barriers to accessing shelter services, such as singles and families with pets.
Today, URI is maximizing the impact of organizational growth, expanding its positioning as an Innovative service provider, an influential leader and “Employer of Choice” in its field. URI has annual operating budget of nearly 100 million dollars, more than 700 employees and the capacity to provide services to over 40,000 individuals annually. The organization operates in more than 20 locations around New York City and is recognized as a valued thought-leader in the sector across the US and beyond.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Legal Education and Advocacy Program (LEAP) is a crucial program within the Justice Initiatives Department at URI. LEAP provides high quality, trauma informed and easily accessible legal services to domestic violence survivors living in URI shelters including legal information and advice, brief services and direct representation to undocumented survivors on immigration matters. LEAP staff help shelter residents understand and navigate complex legal cases in NYC courts. Reporting to the Director of Legal Services, the Staff Attorney will work directly with survivors of domestic and gender-based violence residing in URI shelters to provide specialized legal services and education.
Salary: $70,000 - $80,000
POSITION OVERVIEW
Lead legal clinics in URI shelters to provide legal advice, information, and referrals
Represent non-citizen survivors of domestic violence in immigration matters including U visa applications, VAWA self-petitions, battered spouse waivers, TPS, and related applications to USCIS
Provide brief legal services in family law matters including drafting family court petitions
Assist with legal education efforts, including planning and providing workshops for URI shelter residents and producing legal education materials
Maintain, organize and update case records and track outcomes in CRM as required by funders
Assist with quarterly reports by ensuring accurate data
Contribute to grant proposals in collaboration with the development team
Represent the agency on relevant coalitions and taskforces
Participate in continuous professional development
Keep abreast of legal developments and trauma-informed practices
Train and supervise interns
SPECIFICATIONS FOR EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSES
Juris Doctor (JD)
Admitted to New York State bar
REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
At least one year of legal services experience, preferably in family or immigration law
Fluency in Spanish preferred
Demonstrated commitment to working with survivors from marginalized communities
Creative thinker with excellent organizational and time management skills, ability to handle multiple assignments, assess priorities, take initiative
Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively on an interdisciplinary, diverse team
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Must be a responsible individual, known to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and cope with stress and crises in a calm manner.
SPECIFICATIONS FOR WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work location involves regular travel across program sites located in across four boroughs; the Staff Attorney’s office is located at URI’s Justice Initiatives Center in the Grand Central area
The work environment varies given work location but generally is bright and medium in environmental noise, medium in work-pace, and high in work volume and diversity of initiatives/tasks
Work schedule includes three days working in the office or across URI program sites and two days working from home; flexibility is required to meet on-site demands throughout the week
Urban Resource Institute provides a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including 401(k) matching, pension, HSA, 15 vacation days, 11 wellness days, 8 sick days, 11 holidays plus birthday, parental leave, and major medical, vision, dental insurance, and life and disability insurance, as well as commuter benefits.
At URI we are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment. We actively seek a diverse candidate pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds and abilities to apply. At URI we offer equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic disposition, neurodiversity, disability, veteran status, or any other protected category under federal, state and local law.
Qualifications
Education
Required
- Doctorate or better in Law