Staff Attorney (Legal Immigration)

The Staff Attorney (Legal Immigration) serves in a leadership role at the forefront of direct legal representation for low-income clients living with or affected by HIV. This position provides comprehensive immigration legal services, including advocacy, application support, and representation before USCIS, EOIR, and BIA. The Staff Attorney plays a critical role in ensuring access to justice by delivering trauma-informed, culturally competent legal support tailored to the unique needs of GMHC’s client population.

The Staff Attorney is part of a fully integrated model of care that centers client autonomy, encourages cross-departmental collaboration, and affirms the dignity and rights of individuals living with or affected by HIV.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

The Staff Attorney is responsible for the following:

Client Legal Services

• Conduct comprehensive legal needs assessments at intake and reassess clients regularly to identify evolving legal needs or additional service needs (e.g. related to social determinants of health).
• Provide direct immigration legal services, including:
• Know Your Rights presentations and legal education.
• Pro se assistance on straightforward and complex cases.
• Legal counsel and case strategy development.
• Full regal representation before USCIS, EOIR, and the BIA in matters including, but not limited to: Asylum, Employment Authorizations, Naturalization, Adjustments of Status, VAWA petitions, TPS, Deferred Action, U and T visas, family-based petitions, and inadmissibility waivers.
• Provide client-centered legal referrals and follow-up support to ensure continuity of care and access to appropriate services.

Community Education, Outreach, and Technical Assistance

• Deliver legal education and outreach presentations to clients and community members to enhance awareness of available legal services and immigrant rights.
• Collaborate with community-based health and human service providers to offer technical assistance, training, and timely referrals for immigrant clients and those affected by HIV.
• Support walk-in clients and help manage the immigration appointments calendar, ensuring timely follow-up and scheduling coordination.

Program Administration and Compliance

• Maintain accurate and timely records of client services, legal outcomes, and progress notes using internal databases and dashboards.
• Ensure all client documentation meets funder and audit requirements and support internal data quality and validation efforts.
• Assist with preparing monthly and ad hoc reports to meet program deliverables and track outcomes.
• Monitor contract compliance by ensuring that all client charts are complete and contain required documentation in accordance with audit and funder standards.
• Ensure the Department remains audit-ready through consistent documentation practices and adherence to compliance protocols.
• Participate in funder site visits, audits, and program evaluations.

Internal Collaboration & Supervision Support

• Under the guidance of departmental leadership, assist in the supervision and mentoring of paralegal staff, interns, and fellows to support high-quality, holistic legal services.
• Provide consultation to peers and legal team members on case matters and evolving immigration law developments.
• Collaborate with legal and non-legal staff to address systemic issues affecting GMHC’s client population and contribute to policy discussions and strategic solutions.