Staff Attorney : Detained Immigration Program – Federal Litigation

Staff Attorney : Immigration Program - Federal Litigation

The Erie County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP) is seeking a full-time Staff Attorney to join its Immigration Program in their Batavia, NY office. This office handles work under a grant from the NYS Office of New Americans at the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility in Batavia. This is a public defender model program where we represent all low-income detained people that are facing deportation and are not otherwise represented.

We are hiring for this role for a January 2026 start date.

Duties / Responsibilities :

• Handle individual caseload and represent low-income immigrants subject to removal in matters such as habeas petitions before the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York and petitions for review before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
• Represent low-income immigrants subject to removal in appeals before EOIR's Board of Immigration Appeals. The selected applicant may also handle matters before EOIR Immigration Courts.
• Work collaboratively with attorneys, paralegals and social workers and act as an additional resource to them.
• Maintain case files on VLP's case management system, including case notes updates, opening and closing cases.
• Special projects / community outreach and education as directed.
• Other duties may be assigned.

Requirements / Skills - Required :

Requirements / Skills - Preferred :

Salary / Benefits :

VLP is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply. Employer recruits without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, immigration or citizenship status, pregnancy-related condition, predisposing genetic characteristics, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital and familial status, domestic violence victim status, disability, military status, or protected veteran status.

For information on VLP, see