Overview
Legal Assistant Jobs in Garden City, NY at Gerber Ciano Kelly Brady LLP
About the Position
We are an immigration law firm dedicated to representing asylum seekers in defensive and affirmative proceedings. Our practice emphasizes meticulous case development, thorough legal research, and compassionate client advocacy. We are seeking a Strategy and Evidence Specialist to support our asylum team at every stage of case preparation.
Position Overview
The Strategy and Evidence Specialist will play a critical role in shaping asylum claims by analyzing client declarations, coordinating evidence gathering, managing witness preparation, and ensuring the completeness and coherence of each case file. This position reports to the Senior Paralegal and works closely with attorneys, paralegals, translators, country experts, and external vendors.
Key Responsibilities
Declaration Analysis & Revision
Review and refine client declarations at intake and during case updates.
Ensure narratives clearly establish protected grounds (e.g., political opinion, religion) and articulate incidents of harm and threats.
Evidence Mapping & Gap Analysis
Identify and catalog facts: instances of harm, threats, perpetrator motives, and nexus to protected grounds.
Determine whether medical, police, or other supporting records exist in original and where; document reasons originals are unavailable.
Develop and track steps to obtain originals or certified duplicates.
Witness Coordination
Define appropriate witnesses and draft tailored question outlines.
Collect witness statements or document refusals and obstacles.
Coordinate logistics for transmitting originals and record any delivery issues.
Event Verification & Updates
Solicit updated information from clients before filing or hearings.
Cross-verify dates, locations, and circumstances across all sources.
Document & Translation Management
Compile case files with selected documents.
Prepare comprehensive lists of documents requiring translation, liaising with translation vendors.
Country Condition Research
Source and summarize relevant country reports, news articles, and human rights publications.
Flag new developments affecting case strategy.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Work with intake specialists, paralegals, and investigators (“сборщик”) to assemble evidence.
Maintain continuous fact-checking across attorneys, client narratives, witness statements, and external data.
Qualifications
J.D. equivalent in Russian law / Knowledge of Roman law.
Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills.
Strong analytical ability to dissect narratives and identify legal elements.
Proven experience managing multiple stakeholders and coordinating evidence collection.
Familiarity with country condition research and human rights documentation.
Excellent written and verbal Russian skills; English proficiency a strong plus.
Proficiency with case management software and Microsoft Office suite.
Result-oriented and able to meet multiple deadlines
Skills & Competencies
Analytical & Strategic Thinking: Ability to translate client stories into legally viable case theories.
Project Management: Track complex workflows, deadlines, and deliverables.
Communication: Clear, professional liaison with clients, witnesses, vendors, and team members.
Problem Solving: Resourcefulness in overcoming evidence-gathering challenges.
Collaboration: Work independently while cooperating within a multidisciplinary team at points where your functions intersect.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $15.00 – $25.00 per hour
Benefits:
Free parking
Schedule:
8 hour shift
Ability to Commute:
North Miami, FL 33181 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
North Miami, FL 33181: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
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Title: Legal Assistant
Company: Gerber Ciano Kelly Brady LLP
Location: Garden City, NY
