Staff Attorney - Immigration

Based in New York City, NY

About Us

Building Services 32BJ Benefit Funds (“the Funds”) is the umbrella organization responsible for administering Health, Pension, Retirement Savings, Training, and Legal Services benefits to over 100,000 SEIU 32BJ members. Our mission is to make significant contributions to the lives of our members by providing high-quality benefits and services. Through our commitment, we embody five core values: Flexibility, Initiative, Respect, Sustainability, and Teamwork (FIRST). By following our core values, employees are open to different and new ways of doing things, take active steps to improve the organization, create an environment of trust and respect, approach their work with the intent of a positive outcome, and work collaboratively with colleagues.

The Funds oversees and manages $9 billion dollars in assets, which are made up of many varied and complex funds. The dollars come from a number of sources, including the property owners who pay into the funds on behalf of their employees, and as such, require those who oversee and manage the money to be highly skilled financial management people.

For 2025 and beyond, 32BJ Benefit Funds will continue to drive innovation, equity, and technology insights to further help the lives of our hard-working members and their families. We use cutting edge technology such as: M365, Dynamics 365 CRM, Dynamics 365 F&O, Azure, AWS, SQL, Snowflake, QlikView, and more.

Please take a moment to watch our video to learn more about our culture and contributions to our members: youtu.be/hYNdMGLn19A

Position Overview

The 32BJ Legal Services Fund provides legal advice and representation to eligible 32BJ members and their eligible dependents. Reporting to the Supervising Attorneys and the Director of the Legal Services Fund, the Staff Attorney will provide legal services to the members and eligible dependents of Building Service 32BJ who are eligible under the union’s Legal Services Plan.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide legal representation to members before USCIS, EOIR and the Department of State and related venues 
• Conduct intakes and determine an appropriate course of action, in collaboration with the Supervising Attorneys
• Prepare immigration forms, motions, briefs and other legal documents
• Draft, review and edit documents and correspondence
• Review case progress with supervisors and provide regular summaries of case status
• Obtain and review case records through Freedom of Information Act and similar record requests
• Maintain ongoing communication with clients and administrative agencies 
• Maintain timely and detailed records in a case management software 
• Conduct legal research 
• Train and supervise (work product only) legal assistants, paralegals and legal interns
• Monitor and analyze changes in substantive and procedural law
• Understand case matters covered under the Legal Service Plan
• Maintain confidential materials for all clients
• Attend member information meetings under the direction of supervisory personnel, including travel as required 
• Attend and participate in regular team meetings

Qualifications (Competencies):

• JD and authorization to practice law in any US state required
• Bilingual English/Spanish proficiency required
• Experience practicing immigration law preferred
• Ability to maintain professional appearance, workspace, and demeanor as a representative of the Legal Services Fund
• Ability to analyze complex issues and exercise sound legal judgment, with the assistance and guidance of supervising attorneys 
• Ability to appear before courts and agencies and present oral and written arguments in a persuasive and effective manner 
• Ability to work collaboratively and handle multiple demands in a busy environment 
• Ability to effectively communicate with members, colleagues, adjudicators, opposing counsel and judges 
• Outstanding communication, analytical, research and writing skills
• Excellent computer skills
• Ability to navigate legal software effectively 
• Experience with Cerenade or other similar case management programs preferred
• Ability to electronically file documents and cases with administrative agencies and courts

Work Environment

The work environment described here is representative of the environment an employee will encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Compensation

The salary range for this role is $90,854 - $140,000 annually. The salary for this position is determined based on specific factors, including but not limited to the candidate's years of admission to the Bar, relevant professional experience, education, skills, overall qualifications, and other relevant considerations. The final salary offer will be determined following a comprehensive review of these factors and in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and any applicable side letters

Application

Please send a résumé and letter of interest to hlansang@32bjfunds.com. Please use “Staff Attorney - Immigration” in the subject line of your email. Please include where you saw the job. Application reviews will begin immediately, and applications will be accepted until the position is filled”.