Staff Attorney, Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project
About The Position
The North Carolina Justice Center (NCJC) is a progressive research and advocacy organization dedicated to expanding opportunities and protecting the rights of low-income individuals and communities in North Carolina. For over 29 years, NCJC has worked across policy, legal, and community platforms to address poverty and systemic inequities through legislative advocacy, litigation, public education, and coalition building. The Staff Attorney for the Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project works closely with community members, local, state, and national-level partners and other NCJC advocates to advance systemic change in immigrants’ and refugees’ rights in North Carolina through a combination of individual representation, impact litigation, community outreach, and policy advocacy. This position will maintain a practice that primarily involves representing individuals in Immigration Court as well as before the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services but could incorporate cross-program work as needed. The attorney will serve as a resource for advocates and partners across the state, including private attorneys, nonprofits, and government agencies. Finally, the staff attorney will engage in collaboration with community and advocacy groups to support a collective mission to eliminate poverty and promote justice in North Carolina.
Requirements
- Three to five years representing immigrants in immigration matters, including in immigration court.
- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, ability to work independently, ability to meet deadlines.
- Strong legal writing, research, and oral advocacy skills.
- Highly proficient in written and spoken Spanish and English.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and 365 Suite.
- Demonstrated commitment to social justice, ability to recognize the barriers facing immigrant communities, and experience working with low-income individuals.
- Demonstrated commitment to racial equality.
- Some travel, evening, and weekend work is required.
- J.D. and admitted to a State Bar
- The employee should have the ability to maintain focus and productivity while performing sedentary tasks at a workstation for prolonged periods, including working on a computer, managing documents, or engaging in virtual meetings.
Responsibilities
- Work collaboratively with other Justice Center Attorneys to provide legal assistance and direct representation to immigrants in all relevant forums, including state and federal courts, and administrative agencies. This will include immigration legal matters, representing clients before the USCIS, immigration courts, and the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). The Attorney may also participate in impact litigation under supervision or in collaboration with other Attorneys.
- Conduct as needed community education and presentations on immigration law and immigrants’ rights issues and conduct legal clinics.
- Collaborate with other Justice Center staff to address systemic issues facing immigrants and refugees.
- Maintain regular case logs of all clients related work in case management database system.
- Other duties may be assigned to meet the Justice Center needs.
Benefits
- Six weeks paid time off annually
- Paid parental leave and holidays
- Employer contributions to a 403(b)-retirement plan
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Disability and life insurance
- Flexible spending and health savings account options
- Part of the collective bargaining unit
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
