Immigration Attorney
About The Position
The Defender Association of Philadelphia is seeking an experienced, organized, and dedicated immigration attorney to join its Community Defense Unit. This unit provides direct legal services in immigration law matters by representing clients in immigration court hearings, appeals before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) and Federal Court, and filings with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the U.S. Department of State. The Community Defense Unit also offers immigration analysis and advice to attorneys for cases involving noncitizen criminal defendants and serves as an immigration resource for all staff members. The Immigration Attorney must demonstrate a commitment to defending and promoting immigrants' rights, possess strong research, writing, and courtroom advocacy skills. This position is grant-funded for two years, ending on September 7, 2028, unless continued funding is secured.
Requirements
- Juris Doctorate Degree required.
- Must be licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania.
- Experience working with multicultural immigrant communities.
- Knowledge and familiarity with statutes, procedures, caselaw, and best practices related to immigration representation, required.
- Excellent research, writing, and courtroom advocacy skills.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Capacity and desire to work collaboratively within interdisciplinary teams.
- Strong organizational skills to manage a high-volume, fast-paced legal practice environment.
Nice To Haves
- Admission to practice in the Federal Courts preferred, but may be obtained within a reasonable time of employment.
- At least two (2) years of experience representing individuals in removal proceedings/USCIS is preferred. Clinical experience will be considered, as will other experience demonstrating knowledge of immigration law and practice.
- Fluency in Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, or French, preferred.
Responsibilities
- Represent clients in removal proceedings before EOIR Immigration Courts, Board of Immigration Appeals, and Federal Court.
- Represent clients at interviews before USCIS, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
- Conduct research and prepare legal memos and briefs for immigration clients, including affirmative filings with USCIS, CPT, ICE, and the U.S. Department of State.
- Conduct immigration interviews and consultations, including interviews of clients in custody.
- Collect and maintain data related to direct representation of clients in immigration law matters.
Benefits
- Affordable medical care options plus employer paid vision, dental, life and long-term disability insurances
- 25 days of paid time off (PTO) annually, in addition to all federal holidays
- Dedicated, separate sick leave policy alongside organizational programming to support your physical and mental health
- 10 weeks of paid parental leave
- Generous retirement savings plan with Employer Match
- Free Septa All Access Key card
- Union Membership: Law clerks and attorneys are unionized
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer
- Meaningful, mission-driven work within a supportive, learning-focused, and collaborative environment.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
