Immigration Staff Attorney (Bilingual in Spanish Preferred) - Esperanza Center

Catholic Charities of Baltimore•Baltimore, MD

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Catholic Charities of Baltimore, Esperanza Center, is seeking an Immigration Attorney to join the Immigration Legal Services (ILS) team. This role provides counsel and representation to low-income immigrants and their families before federal immigration courts, Maryland state courts, and the Department of Homeland Security on a variety of immigration matters. The attorney will also assist and supervise law students, volunteers, and pro-bono attorneys. The Esperanza Center is a comprehensive resource center dedicated to welcoming immigrants by offering hope, compassionate services, and the power to improve their lives. Since 1963, it has been a trusted resource for immigrants navigating life in a new country, providing services in education, healthcare, immigration legal matters, family reunification for unaccompanied immigrant children, and general community support.

Requirements

Law degree from an accredited law school.
Licensed to practice law in at least one State or a Federal District Court.
Knowledge of immigration law.
Bilingual in Spanish and English, in both the written and spoken word.
Excellent communication, analytical, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to set priorities and exercise good judgment.
Ability to work with clients from diverse cultures.
Ability to work independently, under pressure and meet deadlines.
Experience in serving culturally diverse clientele.
Ability to act with discretion, tact, and professionalism in all situations.
Ability to utilize computer systems and software necessary to perform position functions.
Basic Windows PC, web browsing (i.e. Chrome, Internet Explorer, etc.), and Microsoft Outlook skills required.

Nice To Haves

Other Microsoft Office application knowledge, such as Word, Excel PowerPoint, Teams, and OneDrive desired.

Responsibilities

Provide counsel and representation to low-income immigrants and their families before federal immigration courts, Maryland state courts, and the Department of Homeland Security regarding a wide range of immigration matters.
Assist and supervise law students, volunteers, and pro-bono attorneys.
Manage a high-volume caseload concerning various immigration matters including asylum, special immigrant juvenile status, family-based petitions and visas, non-immigrant visa processing, TPS, NACARA, adjustment of status, naturalization, hardship waivers, Cancellation of Removal, U- and T-Visas, and other motions and legal memoranda.
Assist with the intake process and provide telephonic and in-person interviews and consultations to prospective clients.
Provide representation in custody and guardianship proceedings in Maryland Circuit Court, through a Maryland license or admission under Rule 15; in CIS interviews before the Baltimore District Office and the Asylum Office in Arlington, SVA; and in federal immigration court and other administrative bodies on immigration matters.
Perform legal research on AILA publications, the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), Title 8 of Code of Federal Regulations (8 C.F.R.), and other related primary and secondary sources of immigration law and regulations.
Assist with community outreach and education, group presentations and workshops, and represent the agency to organizations at community and professional functions.
Assist with program communications and grant reports by tracking case statistics and outcomes.
Support periodic fundraising campaigns and events, attend program and Center-wide retreats, meetings and events and promote The Esperanza Center.
Recruit, train and mentor pro bono attorneys to co-counsel on ILS and referred cases.
Perform case-related administrative duties, including maintaining accurate, complete and confidential case files.
Assure that program services and policies and procedures are consistent with program and Agency philosophy.