Immigration Attorney

Catholic Community Services • Salt Lake City, UT

11d • Onsite

About The Position

The Immigration Attorney provides high-quality legal representation to refugees, immigrants, and migrants navigating the immigration system, including individuals in removal proceedings. As part of a collaborative team of attorneys and legal staff, the attorney represents clients before immigration courts and federal agencies, files affirmative and defensive applications, and guides legal assistants, student interns, and pro bono attorneys. The role involves immigration court proceedings and contributes to a mission-driven legal team serving vulnerable members of the community.

The position is based primarily in a professional office environment and requires regular local travel to meet clients, attend court hearings, and engage with community partners and legal service providers. It involves direct work with people who may have experienced trauma, displacement, and uncertainty, and requires independent judgment, strong advocacy, professionalism, and care while managing complex legal matters, active caseloads, grant reporting, and court schedules. The position works 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, with occasional flexibility for evenings and weekends as case and court schedules require. In-person client interaction is required, and the position cannot be performed fully remotely. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Requirements

• Law degree from an accredited university.
• Active law license; Utah license preferred.
• Demonstrated experience representing clients in immigration court proceedings.
• Intermediate Spanish language proficiency sufficient to read and write work-related documents, participate in meetings, and communicate with clients and coworkers.
• Thorough knowledge of immigration law; applicants should not require training in how to litigate an immigration case.
• Strong legal research, writing, and advocacy skills.
• Understanding of grant program requirements, including the ability to track hours and maintain accountability for time spent on cases.
• Ability to work independently, manage a demanding caseload, and meet competing deadlines with professionalism.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with colleagues, clients, and community partners.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain strict confidentiality regarding clients.
• Computer proficiency, including Microsoft 365 and client database technology for case file management and documentation.
• Sensitivity, compassion, and cultural humility when working with clients navigating complex and unfamiliar legal and immigration systems.
• Commitment to the mission of the program and the agency.
• Must pass a national BCI/FBI background check.
• Must maintain a valid Utah driver's license, be at least 21 years of age, and meet CCS vehicle safety standards.
• Must maintain current automobile insurance with minimum liability coverage of $50,000 per person and $100,000 per incident.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with refugee, immigrant, or asylum-seeking populations.
• Experience in a nonprofit or community-based legal services setting.

Responsibilities

• Represent clients before the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA).
• Prepare and file affirmative and defensive immigration applications on behalf of clients.
• Screen and consult with potential clients to determine eligibility for CCS legal services.
• Direct and provide guidance to legal assistants, student interns, and pro bono attorneys in support of case work.
• Track and report client outcomes in accordance with grant and contract requirements.
• Collaborate with CCS staff attorneys and legal staff on assigned projects, which may include providing legal services to migrants seeking asylum.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree