Religious Immigration Services Attorney

Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc.

1d•$80,000 - $87,000

About The Position

The Staff Attorney has responsibility for providing direct legal immigration services to dioceses and religious institutes sponsoring foreign born religious workers; upholding a high level of legal responsibility in analyzing and applying complex immigration law and policy; developing, maintaining, and managing attorney client relationships; assisting the section to develop priorities and strategies to fulfill its mission; maintaining client data in LawLogix; and maintaining expertise on religious immigration law.

Requirements

Juris Doctor Degree
One to three years of immigration law practice
Member in good standing of the Bar of the highest court in any State or the District of Columbia
In-depth knowledge of immigration law
Strong legal analytical skills
Able to successfully make recommendations that affect the entire Section and, on occasion, the entire organization
Ability to travel on occasion for trainings, site visits, and conferences
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Able to multi-task and manage priorities
Experience using LawLogix or other online case management software
Strong organization skills
Demonstrate knowledge of and support the organizations mission, vision, value statements, policies and procedures, operating instructions, confidentiality standards, and the code of ethical behavior
Fulfill CLINIC's expectations that all staff abide by the following Organization Behaviors
Serve with integrity
Develop innovative solutions
Promote learning - for themselves, for their colleagues, and for our network
Cultivate constructive relationships
Model stewardship
Maintain a positive attitude
Exhibit leadership skills and initiative
Communicate effectively
Own your work
Teamwork and cooperation with colleagues
Resolves conflicts effectively and makes effective decisions

Responsibilities

Represent a minimum of 100 individual cases before Department of Homeland Security and Department of State.
Provide accurate and comprehensive legal advice to dioceses and religious institutes on immigration options for individuals they are sponsoring and how immigration regulations impact the dioceses and religious institutes.
Provide accurate and comprehensive legal advice to foreign nationals for long-term planning on immigration status, nonimmigrant status, travel issues, permanent residence, and naturalization.
Maintain a broad knowledge and understanding of U.S. immigration law and be informed about changes in immigration regulations and policies.
Exercise independent legal judgment and discretion in clients' work.
Prepare and provide strategic planning to dioceses and religious institutes to assist them in complying with immigration regulations.
Analyze complex legal issues with long-term implications.
Analyze individual's immigration documents and organization's qualifying documents.
Review client's immigration history and background.
Develop strategies tailored to individual cases which impact major life decisions.
Communicate and consult daily on immigration matters with clients and potential clients.
Respond daily to email, phone calls, faxes, etc. from clients.
Manage cases from the initial non-immigrant stage through permanent residence and naturalization.
Maintain expertise in managing caseload through the Section's case management software, LawLogix.
Update LawLogix on a daily basis with case notes, reminders, call-ups, and new documents.
Regular review of all active files to ensure compliance with immigration law, current information and documents, and to determine immediate or future action.
Prepare monthly case reports for RIS Director.
Participate in weekly case management meetings.
Advise clients on record keeping and strategic planning for immigration purposes.
Maintain client confidentiality in providing dual representation for dioceses/ religious communities and religious workers.
Work with CLINIC's Advocacy Section to develop priorities and strategies for advocacy.
Provide Advocacy Section with compelling stories of religious worker cases.
Work with Department of Homeland Security and Department of State to assist with individual advocacy of specific cases.
Contact members of Congress on individual constituent cases.
Respond to government regulations affecting religious worker cases.
Prepare and provide trainings for staff of dioceses and religious institutes, through seminars, workshops, and webinars.
Prepare and or contribute to a quarterly newsletter and pamphlets on religious immigration issues to inform clients on religious immigration issues.
Promote on-site and web-based consultations for religious institutes, dioceses and seminaries to review their policies and procedures on religious immigration cases and help them establish appropriate internal procedures regarding foreign-born religious workers.
As assigned, accept opportunities to speak at conferences held by religious institutes, dioceses and seminaries.
As assigned, writes articles and participates in seminars on religious immigration issues sponsored by other organizations.