Derechos: Human Rights Listings

New York Office

STAFF ATTORNEY
REFUGEE PROTECTION PROGRAM

Human Rights First works in the United States and abroad to create a secure and humane world by advancing justice, human dignity and respect for the rule of law. We support human rights activists who fight for basic freedoms and peaceful change at the local level; protect refugees in flight from persecution and repression; help build a strong international system of justice and accountability; and make sure human rights laws and principles are enforced in the United States and abroad.

Human Rights First’s Refugee Protection Program provides legal protection for refugees based on international human rights standards. As a central part of this program, it recruits pro bono lawyers to represent individual indigent refugees seeking asylum in the United States. Human Rights First also advocates for the rights of refugees who seek asylum in this country, advocating for an asylum system that is fair and consistent with international human rights and refugee law standards.

Human Rights First seeks to hire a full-time Staff Attorney in its New York office to assist in overseeing Human Rights First’s pro bono asylum legal representation program. The Staff Attorney will work under the supervision of the Director of Asylum.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES WILL INCLUDE:

• Ensure that the refugees represented by Human Rights First’s pro bono program receive high-quality legal representation, by providing training, guidance, advice, and legal updates to volunteer attorneys on asylum and immigration law;

• Ensure that volunteer attorneys receive prompt and complete legal and procedural support on our pro bono asylum cases, including conducting trainings, strategizing on individual cases, reviewing draft submissions, and preparing memoranda informing volunteers of significant legal developments;

• Participate in HRF efforts to assist asylum seekers detained at area detention facilities;

• Assist in the identification of cases appropriate for pro bono representation;

• Help oversee the recruitment of pro bono attorneys and the assignment of cases to volunteer attorneys;

• Build and maintain strong relationships with local law firms and volunteer attorneys;

• Review and supervise case management and quality control systems for pro bono program cases;

• Assist in supervision of legal assistants and interns;

• Develop training materials for volunteer attorneys, including manuals, memoranda, videotapes, seminars, and symposia, and update probono.net, an online resource hosted by HRF;

• Spot, analyze, and respond to legal or procedural changes that affect asylum seekers, including statutory changes, proposed regulations, and decisions of the Board of Immigration Appeals or federal courts;

• Assist in efforts to secure funding for program activities, and to promote interest in our pro bono work;

• Assist in the conduct of advocacy on behalf of asylum seekers by meeting with local officials at the Department of Homeland Security, and its various bureaus, and the Executive Office for Immigration Review.

Additional Qualifications:

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL HAVE THE FOLLOWING QUALIFICATIONS:

• A legal degree and admission to the NY Bar;

• Excellent oral and written communication skills;

• At least one year, and ideally several years, of experience in representing asylum applicants at all levels of the administrative process;

• Commitment to working with volunteer lawyers;

• Fluency in French, Spanish, Mandarin, or Arabic is highly desirable.

START DATE: THIS IS AN IMMEDIATE HIRE
How to Apply:
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: JUNE 27, 2006

SUBMISSIONS (E-mail Preferred):
- Cover letter (with Salary History and Salary Requirement)
- Resume
- 2 Unedited Writing Samples (15-page maximum, double-spaced with 12 pt. font);
- Names and contact details for three (3) references

TO:

ATTN: HR – Staff Attorney NYC
E-MAIL: HumanResources@HumanRightsFirst.org

HUMAN RIGHTS FIRST
ATTN: HR – Staff Attorney NYC
333 Seventh Avenue, 13th floor
New York, NY 10001-5004

Please do not send by mail AND email; choose one method of delivery. All applicants will be notified of our receipt of application; only selected applicants will be contacted for phone or in-person interviews.
NO PHONE CALLS, PLEASE.

HUMAN RIGHTS FIRST IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. WE CONSIDER APPLICANTS FOR ALL POSITIONS WITHOUT REGARD TO RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, CREED, GENDER, NATIONAL ORIGIN, AGE, DISABILITY, MARITAL OR VETERAN STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, OR ANY OTHER LEGALLY PROTECTED STATUS.
http://www.HumanRightsFirst.org