Habeas Supervising Attorney
WHO WE ARE
Born out of the legal efforts at JFK Airport during the Muslim Ban, Immigrant-ARC (“I-ARC”) has been growing exponentially since spinning out as a stand-alone non-profit over five years ago. During that time, we have been on the frontlines of responding to the Afghan evacuation, the reception of Ukrainian refugees, and welcoming recently arrived immigrants to New York City and New York State, all while strengthening and growing the immigration legal services field to increase immigrant New Yorker’s access to counsel and access to justice.
Our community includes over 100 legal service providers in New York State. We come together in solidarity with all New Yorkers who believe in fair and just immigration policies and who share our collective outrage at the injustices confronting immigrant communities. We use our knowledge of immigration law and practice to empower each other and the communities we serve to collectively fight systemic oppression and seek respect and dignity for all. We recognize that access to justice for immigrant communities is inextricably linked to the broader fight for racial justice. We commit to working alongside all others who are fighting to achieve a vision of a more just and equitable world.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
The Habeas Supervising Attorney will play a critical role in supporting the strategic development and execution of I-ARC’s New York Habeas Program. This position will oversee the quality of litigation handled through the program, provide expert guidance and mentorship to volunteer attorneys and legal partners, and help shape legal strategy in an evolving immigration enforcement landscape.
The Habeas Supervising Attorney will serve as the program’s subject matter expert on immigration habeas corpus litigation and immigration court bond hearings, ensuring that individuals in immigration detention receive high-quality legal representation and advocacy. This role will work closely with volunteer attorneys, pro bono law firm partners, and internal stakeholders to strengthen litigation capacity, develop legal resources, and support impactful representation in complex and high-stakes cases.
NOTE: This is a grant-funded position with a term of July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027. Renewal is contingent upon continued funding and organizational need.
Specifically, the Habeas Supervising Attorney will:
Oversee Litigation Quality: Monitor active habeas and bond cases handled by volunteer attorneys and mentors, provide ongoing guidance, and ensure high-quality representation and effective case strategy.
Provide Expert Legal Guidance and Representation: Serve as the program's subject matter expert on immigration habeas corpus litigation and bond hearings. Act as back-up counsel and provide direct representation in complex, emergency, and high-stakes matters before federal and immigration courts.
Mentor and Supervise Volunteers: Provide mentorship, supervision, and technical assistance to volunteer attorneys and habeas mentors, stepping into cases directly when needed.
Collaborate with Pro Bono Partners: Work closely with pro bono law firms and legal partners to support case strategy, strengthen advocacy efforts, and expand access to representation.
Develop Trainings and Legal Resources: Create and maintain legal templates, practice guides, and other practice materials, and design and deliver trainings for volunteers and partners.
Support Program Administration: Assist with funder reporting requirements and other programmatic responsibilities to ensure compliance with grant deliverables.
WHO YOU ARE
A Habeas Litigation Expert: You bring deep expertise in immigration habeas corpus litigation and substantial experience representing detained noncitizens in federal court. You are comfortable navigating complex legal issues, developing litigation strategy, and advocating effectively in high-stakes matters.
A Strategic Litigation Leader: You have experience overseeing complex litigation and guiding case strategy across multiple matters simultaneously. You are skilled at evaluating legal approaches, identifying risks and opportunities, and making sound decisions in fast-moving and time-sensitive situations.
An Educator and Capacity Builder: You are passionate about strengthening legal advocacy through mentorship, training, and technical assistance. You have experience developing practical legal resources, leading trainings, and supporting attorneys in building expertise and confidence in complex areas of law.
A Collaborative Partner: You excel at building relationships and working across teams and organizations. You have experience collaborating with pro bono law firms, legal service providers, and other stakeholders to advance shared goals and expand access to high-quality legal representation.
An Adaptable Problem Solver: You thrive in fast-paced environments and can effectively manage multiple priorities at once. You exercise sound judgment, work independently when needed, and remain calm under pressure when handling emergency or time-sensitive legal matters.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
At I-ARC we aim to foster a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment where everyone feels empowered to be their whole selves and is treated with dignity and respect. We welcome applications from qualified individuals, irrespective of their race, skin color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability status, or any other characteristic. We encourage anyone who feels qualified to apply regardless of gaps in resume, unconventional career paths, or other factors.
I-ARC aims to be as transparent and equitable as possible when discussing salaries. Ranges are determined and offers are made based on an existing compensation plan that is regularly updated after market research is performed and funding prospects are assessed. Our compensation philosophy, key performance metrics required at each position level, and organizational budget with salary lines are made available to all staff.
Employment Type & Hours: Full-time, Exempt, Salaried
This is a grant-funded position with a term of July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027. Renewal is contingent upon continued funding and organizational need.
Wage: $100,000 - $110,000 annual salary*
Experience: JD (Juris Doctor) from an accredited law school and active New York bar admission required. A minimum of five (5) years of litigation experience representing detained noncitizens before federal and/or immigration courts is required. Substantial experience litigating immigration habeas corpus petitions and federal court matters is required. Admission to practice before at least one federal district court in New York is required; admission in New Jersey and/or Pennsylvania is a plus. Experience supervising attorneys, managing complex litigation, developing legal training materials, and working with pro bono legal partners is strongly preferred. Proficiency with collaboration and case management platforms such as Google Workspace, Slack, Asana, Airtable, Jotform, Zoom, or similar tools is required.
Benefits: Flexible schedule, medical and dental (fully covered for employee, 50% for dependents), flexible PTO policy, sick days, retirement matching up to 3% after 90 days, professional development opportunities, wellness perks, other benefits as applicable.
Location: Remote. Candidates must reside in New York, as some travel will be required across New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania as needed.
*As this position is grant funded, starting salaries are set in advance according to the terms of the contract and are non-negotiable. I-ARC is committed to transparency and equity in compensation. Salary ranges are determined based on a structured compensation plan that is regularly reviewed and updated based on market research and available funding. We share our compensation philosophy, key performance expectations, and organizational budget details related to salary lines openly with all staff.
Work Environment/Physical Demands
The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Work will be performed in a hybrid environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The above job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as assigned by their supervisor.
I-ARC is an equal-opportunity employer with a strong commitment to diversity. At I-ARC we aim to foster a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment where everyone feels empowered to be their whole selves and is treated with dignity and respect. We welcome applications from qualified individuals, irrespective of their race, skin color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability status, or any other characteristic. We encourage anyone who feels qualified to apply regardless of gaps in resume, unconventional career paths, or other factors.
