Paralegal - Immigrant Legal Defense, NIJC
About The Position
The National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) advances human rights and due process for immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers through direct legal services, impact litigation, advocacy, and public education. Headquartered in Chicago with offices in Washington, DC, Indiana, and San Diego, NIJC's team of 100 attorneys, paralegals, and professionals, along with 2,000 pro bono attorneys, is at the forefront of immigration reform. Job Summary: The Paralegal provides general paralegal support for the Immigrant Legal Defense team and the Post Asylee Refugee Benefits Pro Bono Project. The paralegal conducts intake, research, case review, documentation preparation and other related tasks to support general operations and the work of staff and pro bono attorneys. This paralegal position requires Spanish and/or French fluency, ability to engage in community outreach, and provide legal consultations at off-site locations. Individual accountability and work volume will be established through the development of annual Success Objectives.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree with demonstrated experience working with immigrants, refugees, and/or asylum seekers. At least one year of experience working with these populations is preferred.
- This position requires regular communication with clients in Spanish. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written Spanish.
- Strong writing, editing, organizational, and computer skills required. Ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently and perform well under strict deadlines.
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
- Case management system familiarity (e.g., Legal Server)
- Accurate and timely maintenance of case data for reporting and compliance
- Proficiency with communication platforms (Teams, Zoom, SharePoint)
- Strong document drafting & version control
- Ability to maintain organized, audit‑ready client file
Responsibilities
- Conducts intake, as assigned.
- Conducts legal and factual research.
- Assesses cases to determine eligibility.
- Conducts interviews with clients and witnesses.
- Drafts applications, affidavits, letters, and/or legal pleadings and prepares supporting documentation.
- Prepares materials for submission to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration Court, or other entities as appropriate.
- Reviews, analyzes, and presents cases to supervisor.
- Tracks individual cases and outcomes
- Interprets and translates for department and other Organization staff as needed, including at USCIS and ICE interviews and appointments.
- Represents NIJC at clinics and events with stakeholders, including pro bono partners. Remains current on immigration law, policies, and procedures.
- Maintains complete, thorough, accurate, and current records in an organized fashion in accordance with legal standards, rules, and ethics.
- Ensures the accuracy, substance, and timeliness of statistical and narrative reports, projects, schedules, and other relevant work products.
- In accordance with organizational policies and the ethical standards required of the legal profession, the Code of Professional Responsibility preserves client confidentiality, accounts for client monies, and avoids conflicts of interest.
- Other duties may be assigned.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Number of Employees
11-50 employees
