Senior Attorney NIJC

National Immigrant Justice Center • Chicago, IL

2d • Hybrid

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 over 100 attorneys, paralegals, and professionals, along with 2,000 pro bono attorneys, is at the forefront of immigration reform. NIJC seeks to fill senior attorney roles in several NIJC projects. Senior attorneys are experienced attorneys equipped to handle complex immigration matters with minimal supervision. Senior attorneys may do some supervision but are primarily tasked with advanced legal work. Senior attorneys provide legal consultations, advice, and representation to low-income immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers before governments agencies and the federal courts. Some senior attorneys provide technical support to pro bono attorneys assigned to NIJC matters. Projects for which NIJC is hiring senior attorneys include: Immigrant Legal Defense (Spanish), Asylum (Spanish preferred), Detention (Spanish required), and Children's Protection (Spanish required and Spanish preferred).

Requirements

• Juris Doctorate Degree required.
• At least three years of practicing law with a preference in immigration and/or human rights law.
• Self-motivated.
• Committed to human rights and civil liberties advocacy.
• Ability to represent individuals in complex cases and to formulate and implement sophisticated legal strategies.
• High proficiency or fluency in Spanish required for some senior attorney positions.
• Excellent writing and analytical skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively in legal and non-legal settings with a wide range of audiences.
• 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.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in detained removal defense and other relevant immigration experience for the Detention Project.
• Experience with state court predicate orders for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status for the Children's Protection Project.
• Experience with affirmative applications for immigration relief, including asylee/refugee adjustment of status and family petitions, U visa, VAWA, and DACA for the Immigrant Legal Defense Project.
• Experience serving asylum seekers fleeing persecution, with a focus on representation in complex matters involving children, families, and adults for the Asylum Project.
• Experience working on school-based helpdesk projects for the Children's Protection Project.

Responsibilities

• Conducts preliminary intake interview, gathers all relevant facts for case evaluation.
• Makes assessment of income eligibility and makes appropriate referrals for those not eligible for services.
• Develops and implements complex case strategies in consultation with supervisor.
• Prepares cases for interview or hearing, including drafting legal papers, conducting client advocacy, presenting evidence, etc. in accord with the Code of Professional Responsibility for the legal profession.
• Carries a volume of work as determined by supervisor.
• Has in-depth knowledge of legal and other resources.
• Provides technical support to pro bono counsel assigned to NIJC matters.
• 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.
• Develops and maintains professional relationships with government agencies and relevant stakeholders.
• Explains immigration law and the work of NIJC to the public, including public speaking.
• In accord with the ethical standards required of the legal profession, the Code of Professional Responsibility, preserves client confidentiality, accounts for client monies, and avoids conflict of interest.
• Maintains complete and accurate client records.
• Prepares timely statistical reports.
• Conducts periodic case audits.
• Participates in training on immigration procedures as assigned.
• May conduct training sessions as assigned.
• Identifies trends and recurring legal and social concerns.
• Recommends strategies for solutions and other needed advocacy.
• Adheres to professional standards as outlined by governmental bodies, (and/or other appropriate professional associations), private funding sources, Organization plans/ policies and Unit guidelines.
• Participates in periodic evaluative reviews and/or in-house and external staff training to ensure that she/he understands and continues to adhere to such standards.
• Initiates requests for assistance or guidance from Supervisor to address new issues or complex concepts affecting adherence to professional standards.
• Other duties may be assigned.

Benefits

• Direct legal services
• Impact litigation
• Advocacy
• Public education
• Technical support to pro bono attorneys
• Training and technical assistance to pro bono attorneys
• Representation before government agencies and federal courts
• Representation in removal proceedings
• Capacity building for high-quality free legal services
• Mentorship
• Sharing resources
• Organizing relevant trainings
• Legal services including Know Your Rights presentations, legal consultations, and limited and full representation to students and their families.

What This Job Offers

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