Immigrants' Rights Temp Staff Attorney

Position:

TakeRoot Justice seeks applicants for the position of Temporary, Part-Time Attorney to cover the parental leave and sabbatical of a Senior Staff Attorney, and provide interim support to TakeRoot’s Immigrants’ Rights team, which includes six Senior Staff Attorneys, and a Director.

This is a 20 -24 hour per week contract worker position, starting as soon as possible. The contract will last approximately 8 months, starting on or around January 15, 2026 through at least September 15, 2026.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Handling a caseload of defensive and affirmative matters including, but not limited to, Asylum, VAWA, U/T visas, SIJS, family-based petitions, consular processing, Motions to Reopen, and representing individuals in immigration court;
• Working with the Director to manage the docket and keeping detailed case management records;
• Conducting new intakes and clinics as needed with our partner organizations;
• Attending team meetings as needed, which includes participation in peer supervision support.

Ideal Candidates:

• Must have a J.D. degree and be admitted to the bar of any state in the U.S., with a preference for New York;
• Have at least 5 years of immigration law experience;
• Have fluency in a second language (French, Haitian Creole, or Spanish preferred)
• Are committed to economic and racial justice and the immigrant justice movement in New York City;
• Have strong case management, writing, analytical, and interpersonal skills;
• Are self-directed and passionate about client-centered advocacy;
• Have the capacity and desire to work collaboratively.

Compensation:

This is a W-2 position with an hourly pay range between $46 to $50, commensurate with experience.

Background:

TakeRoot Justice provides legal, participatory research and policy support to strengthen the work of grassroots and community-based groups in New York City to dismantle racial, economic and social oppression. Applicants are encouraged to learn more about TakeRoot’s work by visiting our website: https://takerootjustice.org/

TakeRoot’s Immigrants’ Rights team works to protect individuals from detention and deportation, keep families together, and build power in immigrant communities. In addition to representing individuals on a wide range of immigration cases, we also support the development of immigrant community defense networks, legislative advocacy efforts, immigrant tenant’s rights organizing and the fight against immigration fraud.

The Immigrants’ Rights team works to strengthen the organizing work of TakeRoot’s community-based partners by providing legal clinics and direct immigration representation to members of partner group and providing community education and strategy support in line with organizing goals.

Hybrid Workplace Statement:

This is a temporary, part-time, hybrid position with occasional in-person work required in our New York City office location as well as sites such as immigration courthouses and community-based sites throughout the city. TakeRoot Justice is a hybrid remote workplace that allows employee flexibility in determining whether to work remotely or in the office, for routine, independent work that doesn't require office resources.

Application Instructions:

Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume and writing sample in a single PDF by e-mail only (no hard copies please) with the subject line “IR Temporary Attorney” to jobs@takerootjustice.org, Attn: Nadia Qurashi. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

TakeRoot Justice is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under the law.

TakeRoot encourages applications from people with diverse backgrounds, including, but not limited to, women, people of color, immigrants, people with disabilities, LGBTGNCNBQI+ people, people from low-income backgrounds, people of all ages and people with personal experience with the criminal justice system. We strongly encourage applications from people who have had lived experience in the communities we serve. TakeRoot believes that diversity and inclusion are critical to our success, and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.

Job Type: Temporary

Pay: $46.00 - $50.00 per hour

Expected hours: 24 per week

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location: Hybrid remote in New York, NY 10038