ASSOCIATE POSITION
About the Firm
Aaron Halegua, PLLC is a private public interest law firm in New York City with a focus on protecting worker, civil and human rights. The founder and principal, Aaron Halegua, represents clients in litigation throughout the country, as well as consults for non-profits and foundations, and engages in policy research and advocacy work. Mr. Halegua has affiliations with NYU Law School and Oxford University. He began his legal career as a Skadden Fellow at The Legal Aid Society and served as a law clerk in the federal court for the Southern District of New York. In 2021, Mr. Halegua was named “Litigator of the Year” by the Human Trafficking Legal Center. In 2023, his litigation work was recognized by the Impact Fund with the Grantee Hero Award.
The firm’s litigation practice is primarily focused on representing immigrant workers or whistleblowers subjected to wage and hour violations, discrimination, retaliation, or human trafficking/forced labor, but also involves litigation of wrongful death, tort, land takings, and contract claims. Mr. Halegua has litigated cases involving the construction, food service, delivery, car service, and other industries, and won two federal court trials. His early work on the Babi Nails case was featured in the New York Times and lead to regulation of the nail salon industry. He recently obtained $6.9 million on behalf of seven Chinese construction workers alleging forced labor and human trafficking through a case litigated in the federal district court in Saipan, and a $5.6 million judgment for a race discrimination victim. He is co-lead counsel in a case involving 15 Chinese immigrants alleging that they were subjected to forced labor as part of an illegal marijuana-growing operation. The firm also represents clients, particularly trafficking survivors, in preparing applications for T visas. In his consulting practice, Mr. Halegua has worked with the International Labor Organization, Ford Foundation, International Labor Rights Forum, Brown University, Solidarity Center, and American Bar Association on projects related to the rule of law, labor law reform, and labor rights in China, Myanmar, Malaysia, Thailand and Mexico. More information on Mr. Halegua’s work is available on his website: http://www.aaronhalegua.com.
Description and Qualifications
The firm is seeking a full-time or part-time associate to assist with all aspects of the firm’s work. The ideal candidate will have at least 1-2 years of post-law school litigation/clerking experience, a commitment to social justice, a strong work ethic, entrepreneurial spirit, and excellent research, writing, and interpersonal skills. Fluency or proficiency in Mandarin Chinese is preferred.
The salary range is from $55,000-$90,000 (or pro-rated for part-time) depending on the candidate’s experience, with significant potential for additional performance-based incentives. A desire to find and develop cases and opportunities on behalf of the firm is a plus.
While candidates in New York are preferred, remote work may be possible.
To Apply
Interested candidates should email ah@aaronhalegua.com with the following: (1) a cover letter (indicating the candidate’s interest, experience, and Mandarin language competence, (2) a resume or CV, (3) one sample of legal writing, (4) two references, and (5) a law school transcript. The position will remain open until it is filled.