Fried Frank is seeking a highly experienced immigration attorney to join our pro bono team. The successful candidate will be based in the New York office but will be responsible for managing the pro bono immigration practice in both the Washington, DC and New York offices. Fried Frank has a long history of public service with a national reputation for its commitment to asylum and other pro bono immigration work. Strong management and communication skills, substantive legal expertise and ability to prioritize in a fast-paced environment are essential for this position. Projected starting date is early 2025. Expected salary range is $175,000-$225,000 depending on experience.
The Pro Bono Immigration Attorney will work collaboratively with the Firm's Pro Bono Counsel and Pro Bono Committee Co-Chairs to promote a culture of pro bono, the continued success of the Firm's U.S. immigration practice, and its integration into the pro bono practice overall. The Pro Bono Immigration Attorney will ensure provision of outstanding professional services to pro bono clients. They will liaise with nonprofit partners in the New York and DMV areas to maintain existing relationships and explore new avenues for collaboration. The Pro Bono Immigration Attorney will work with the Firm's attorneys to identify opportunities that match attorney interests, promote skill building and professional development, and serve the community in a meaningful way. They will be supported by an incumbent Pro Bono Coordinator, highly experienced in immigration matters. AILA national and local chapter membership dues and annual conference attendance will be provided.
Consistent with current firm policy, the Pro Bono Immigration Attorney will work in person in either office during regular business hours Tuesday through Thursday, and on other days as needed. The Pro Bono Immigration Attorney is welcome to work in-office on additional days.
Internal Responsibilities
Knowledge Management: The Pro Bono Immigration Attorney will remain abreast of changing developments in immigration law and procedure and be responsible for relaying critical changes to relevant case teams. They will ensure that training programs, model documents, and other resources are kept up to date and accessible to the firm's attorneys in both offices. The Pro Bono Immigration Attorney will identify partner supervision and appropriate staffing of immigration matters in both offices and address staffing modifications as needed. They will support the new matter intake process including conflicts checks, update our internal database and contribute to statistical analysis and regular program reporting. They will work with the Pro Bono Coordinator to ensure timely and accurate responses to surveys and audit requests.
Supervision: The Pro Bono Immigration Attorney/Counsel will supervise the New York based Pro Bono Coordinator on immigration matters and oversee her communications with firm attorneys, clients and external partners. They will also conduct regular check-ins with individual case teams and ensure ongoing progress in pending matters.
Client Work: The Pro Bono Immigration Attorney will serve as the day-to-day supervising attorney on all immigration matters, including review and editing of all associate work product and will coordinate with the referring legal services organization or case mentor on legal issues, case strategy and client management issues as required. In conjunction with the Pro Bono Coordinator and Managing Attorney's Office, they will be responsible for monitoring and ensuring compliance with all filing deadlines. In most full representation cases, the Pro Bono Immigration Attorney will enter an appearance via Form G-28 or EOIR-28 and in almost all cases will personally appear for hearings or interviews. The Pro Bono Immigration Attorney may also be asked to attend clinics or supervise remote volunteer projects in person.
Communications: The Pro Bono Immigration Attorney will screen and circulate available cases, clinics and other projects to attorneys in both offices, organize participation and make staffing decisions. In conjunction with the firmwide Pro Bono Counsel, they will also play a role in the orientation process for new attorneys and summer associates. Working under the direction of the Pro Bono Counsel, the Pro Bono Immigration Attorney will contribute to the firm's internal communications, including a quarterly newsletter, annual report, and Intranet site.
External Responsibilities
Working under the direction of the Pro Bono Counsel and in collaboration with the business development and marketing teams, the Pro Bono Immigration Attorney will assist with content development for the firm website and social media channels.
The Pro Bono Immigration Attorney will represent the firm's pro bono practice in relevant initiatives and professional organizations, including AILA, APBCO and local bar associations and committees.
The Pro Bono Immigration Attorney will work with the Pro Bono Coordinator and the business development and marketing teams to identify potential candidates for recognition and, when appropriate, to compile data and narratives for award submissions and other reports relating to the firm's pro bono immigration practice.
The Pro Bono Immigration Attorney will be expected to represent the firm's pro bono practice at volunteer recognition events, fundraisers, and recruiting events, which may at times take place during evening or weekend hours.
Qualifications and Experience
- Minimum 8-10 years of progressively responsible experience in the practice of immigration law, specifically including experience as the lead attorney in asylum, removal defense, T and U visa, SIJS and VAWA applications, EADs, adjustment of status and naturalization matters required, with federal litigation experience also preferred
- Juris Doctor Degree, with either membership in good standing of the New York Bar or membership in good standing in the bar of the highest court of any state and ability to waive into the New York Bar required
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, including close editing of drafts produced by junior attorneys
- Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, manage deadlines, set and communicate priorities
- Experience at a large private law firm and/or in the nonprofit sector, particularly involving pro bono program management
- Familiarity with immigration-focused nonprofits in New York required. Additional familiarity with immigration-focused nonprofits in the DMV area a plus.
- Experience in organizing clinics focused on naturalization, employment authorization, TPS, adjustment of status or general consultation/screening clinics in collaboration with nonprofit partners
- Availability to travel for occasional Washington DC office visits, as well as periodic court appearances, asylum interviews or related preparation in the DMV area required
- Demonstrated commitment to public interest law
- Fluency or high level of proficiency in Spanish preferred; other foreign language proficiency is a plus
Fried Frank is an equal opportunity employer EOE/AA/Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran. All inquiries will be held in strict confidence. We strongly encourage qualified women, minorities, Veterans, individuals with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ+ community to apply.
The actual salary offered will be based on a number of factors including but not limited to the qualifications of the applicant, years of relevant experience, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and if applicable, the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job.
Salary Range
$175,000—$225,000 USD
