Temporary Staff Attorney 2

Job Title: Temporary Staff Attorney (1 year contract)

Location: CLEAR project, CUNY School of Law, New York City

Full/Part Time: Full-Time – Hybrid

The Creating Law Enforcement Accountability & Responsibility (CLEAR) Project, housed at Main Street Legal Services, Inc., the City University of New York School of Law’s clinical arm, seeks to hire two temporary Staff Attorneys for limited term contracts of one year (minimum 9 months). This position is in New York City.

In the years since the events of September 11, 2001, federal and local law enforcement agencies have engaged in aggressive practices under the banner of counterterrorism, such as: monitoring Americans’ daily lawful activities, launching campaigns to question law-abiding individuals, watch-listing people without fair due process, and aggressively recruiting informants using various forms of pressure, including financial incentives, watch-listing, and threats of deportation.

CLEAR aims to challenge these practices, providing a unique combination of direct legal services, movement and community organizing support, rights-awareness programming, strategic litigation, and capacity building in support of communities and movements targeted by national security law enforcement practices.

Since its inception in 2009, CLEAR has grown into a recognized and respected organization in affected communities as well as in the police reform and national security sectors. CLEAR’s holistic, community-driven model has consistently led it to tackle new issues in response to community concerns, developing innovative and effective solutions to seemingly intractable problems in the process.

Depending on experience, the incoming attorney(s) will help manage CLEAR’s day-to-day operations, including direct representation of clients facing questioning by law enforcement, travel related issues, and “security” holds on applications for immigration benefits; maintain close relations with partner communities; support community organizing and movement building efforts; engage in policy and public advocacy; and engage in strategic federal litigation. The Staff Attorneys will also contribute bear other administrative duties. The Staff Attorneys will take over responsibilities for other attorneys going on leave, and the term period is designed to account for transition before and after those leaves.

Experience in post-9/11 issues, additional language skills and fluency in different cultural, religious, and socio-economic settings are highly desirable.

Responsibilities Will Include

  • Direct representation of clients who:

    • Are approached for questioning by law enforcement;

    • Are facing subpoenas for federal grand jury or trial testimony;

    • Face travel related difficulties (i.e. No Fly List or Selectee List);

    • Experience extensive delay in applications for immigration benefits

  • Various forms of administrative advocacy with different federal and state agencies

  • Community education and Know Your Rights workshops

  • Supporting community organizing and movement building efforts

  • Public advocacy before local and federal bodies and through press and social media

  • Prepare and submit FOIA and FOIL requests and appeals

  • Litigating impact cases to safeguard and advance the rights of targeted communities

  • Working with and supervising students, working with CLEAR colleagues; where appropriate, collaborate with pro bono or other co-counsel on litigation matters

  • Assorted administrative duties

Minimum Qualifications

  • B.A./B.S. and J.D. degrees

  • Membership in good standing in the New York State Bar (or New York State Bar passage with admission application pending)

  • One to five years of relevant legal experience, including direct client representation

  • Highly-motivated and self-starting

  • Excellent research, analytical, written, and oral communication skills

  • Demonstrated leadership and ability to work independently and in collaboration with other attorneys, community advocates, and community-based organizations (depending on seniority)

  • Willingness to travel throughout New York City and the greater metropolitan area for work, including for community meetings and events that are often scheduled during evenings or weekends

Other Qualifications

  • Preferred experience in organizing and/or working in coalition spaces to advance the rights of low-income communities, people of color, and/or immigrant communities

  • Preferred membership in good standing in the New Jersey State Bar (or New Jersey State Bar passage with admission application pending)

  • Preferred bilingual skills in Arabic, Urdu, Bengali, Russian, Farsi, or other relevant languages

  • Preferred criminal defense, civil rights, and/or affirmative immigration or removal defense immigration experience.

  • A fondness for NYC’s rich culinary offerings!

Compensation and Benefits
Salary range: $ $90,000 - $114,542, dependent on experience. Benefits include paid holidays, paid time off, sick days, flexible spending accounts, and healthcare benefits.

Application Process
Interested candidates should submit via email (as a single PDF) a cover letter and resume summarizing your interest, qualifications and experience, a legal writing sample (no more than 10 pages), and three professional references to cunyclear@law.cuny.edu. Please no phone calls.

Closing Date
Open until filled. Review of applications will begin October 26. Target start date is between January 15 – February 15, 2027.

Equal Employment Opportunity
We are committed to enhancing our diverse community by actively encouraging people with disabilities, minorities, veterans, and women to apply. We take pride in our pluralistic community and continue to seek excellence through diversity and inclusion. EO/AA Employer.

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