LGBTQ Pro Bono Senior Attorney I

National Immigrant Justice Center • Chicago, IL

29d • Remote

About The Position

The LGBTQ Immigrant Rights Initiative offers legal services to low-income immigrants who identify as LGBTQ or who are living with HIV. Reporting to the managing attorney, the senior attorney position provides technical support to pro bono counsel assigned to complex NIJC cases including affirmative, defensive, detained, and non-detained asylum cases. The person in this position may occasionally provide direct representation to clients as appropriate. This position is located in Chicago, IL, but remote candidates will be considered.

Requirements

• Juris Doctorate Degree required; and at least three years of practicing law with a preference in immigration and/or human rights law; self-motivated and committed to civil liberties and LGBTQ advocacy; ability to represent individuals in complex cases and to formulate and implement sophisticated legal strategies.
• Excellent writing and analytical skills
• Ability to communicate effectively in legal and non-legal settings with a wide range of individuals and organizations.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
• Ability to draft reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Nice To Haves

• Fluency or proficiency in a language in addition to English is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Reviews and provides constructive feedback on materials for pro bono attorneys, including briefs, legal memos, affidavits, work permit applications, and other filings.
• Supports pro bono teams in navigating various parts of the immigration legal system including entering appearances, filing FOIA requests, drafting legal arguments, obtaining corroborating evidence, and appearing before government agencies including the Asylum Office and the Immigration Court.
• Drafts practice advisories and explainers on various relevant legal topics.
• Advises pro bono teams on case strategy for complex immigration legal matters.
• Presents at training and outreach events on topics including updates in immigration law and representation of LGBTQ asylum seekers.
• Provides direct representation to NIJC clients as needed and/or as appropriate, including preparing cases for interview or hearing, drafting legal papers, conducting client advocacy, presenting evidence, etc. in accord with the Code of Professional Responsibility for the legal profession.
• Remains current on immigration law, policies and procedures. Remains current on implications of criminal and civil law as it applies to the representation of immigrants.
• Maintains complete and accurate client records. Prepares timely statistical reports. Conducts routine case audits for presentation and review of the Supervisor.
• Identifies trends and recurring legal and social concerns. Recommends strategies for solutions and other needed advocacy.
• Other duties may be assigned.

What This Job Offers

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