Immigration Paralegal

FLSA Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Division: Legal Programs

Department: Immigration Practice

Reports to: Director, Immigration Practice

Salary: $65,000 - $75,000

Schedule: Hybrid — Minimum of two days per week in the New York City office (Wednesdays and Thursdays), with additional in-office days required based on client, case, court, clinic, and other practice needs.

ABOUT HER JUSTICE

Her Justice is a nonprofit organization that advocates for and with women and gender diverse people living in poverty in New York City. We recruit and mentor volunteer lawyers to provide free legal help in the areas of immigration, family, and matrimonial law to address individual and systemic legal barriers.   

100% of our clients are living in poverty in the five boroughs of New York City. In FY2025, 93% of our clients were women of color, 87% were survivors of intimate partner violence, 70% were mothers, and 50% spoke a primary language other than English.

Since 1993, we’ve provided life-changing free legal help to over 45,000 women and children and we’ve pursued policies that have bettered the experiences and outcomes for hundreds of thousands more. Her Justice is committed to creating a more fair and functional civil justice system for New Yorkers, so they can build safer, freer futures for themselves, their families, and their communities.

SUMMARY

The Immigration Paralegal is an integral member of Her Justice's Immigration Practice and supports the delivery of high-quality immigration legal services to survivors of intimate partner and gender-based violence.

Working under the supervision of the Director of the Immigration Practice, and with all of the immigration attorneys, the Immigration Paralegal supports client intake and screening, case preparation and follow-up, immigration filings, referrals, clinics, and other case-related and administrative activities. The Immigration Paralegal also helps maintain accurate case information and deadlines and supports the work of interns, volunteers, and other individuals in the Immigration Practice.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, client-centered, and able to manage multiple priorities in a collaborative legal services environment. This role requires strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work sensitively and effectively with survivors of trauma.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Client Intake & Support

Conduct immigration intake interviews with prospective clients, under attorney supervision, in person and by telephone or video, and assist with screening prospective clients for potential immigration relief.

Communicate with clients regarding case-related information, documentation, appointments, deadlines, and next steps under the direction of supervising attorneys.

Assist clients in gathering documents and information necessary for immigration applications and other legal matters.

Provide information and appropriate referrals to individuals seeking assistance outside Her Justice's areas of practice.

Maintain timely, professional, and trauma-informed communication with clients throughout their engagement with the Immigration Practice.

Immigration Case Support

Assist attorneys with the preparation and compilation of immigration applications, petitions, and supporting documentation, including matters involving U Visas, T visas, VAWA Self-Petitions, employment authorization, adjustment of status, and other forms of immigration relief handled by the Immigration Practice.

Under attorney supervision and as permitted by applicable accreditation and practice requirements, provide limited direct assistance or representation on assigned immigration matters.

Assist with client follow-up and obtaining documentation, records, certifications, and other materials necessary to advance immigration matters.

Support requests for U Visa certifications, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) records, FBI records and fingerprints, and other limited-scope services.

Prepare case files and materials for attorney review and filing.

Track case deadlines and support the timely preparation and filing of immigration applications and related materials.

Maintain organized and complete electronic case files and documentation.

Case Management & Data Integrity

Accurately enter and maintain client, case, service, and outcome information in Her Justice's case management software, Salesforce and other applicable systems.

Monitor assigned case-related tasks, deadlines, follow-up items, and document requests.

Support attorneys in maintaining accurate and current case information and identifying matters requiring follow-up.

Assist with case opening, case maintenance, and case-closing processes in accordance with organizational procedures.

Support the collection and maintenance of accurate program data needed for internal reporting, grant reporting, and program evaluation.

Clinics, Referrals & Pro Bono Support

Prepare cases and materials for immigration clinics and assist with clinic coordination, scheduling, client communication, and follow-up.

Manage or support incoming and outgoing immigration referrals and maintain appropriate referral documentation.

Assist with recruiting, onboarding, training, coordinating, and supporting immigration interns and volunteers.

Coordinate assignments and follow-up for legal assistants, interns, and volunteers providing limited-scope support to the Immigration Practice.

Serve as a resource to volunteers and interns on established procedures and escalate substantive legal questions to supervising attorneys.

Team & Practice Support

Collaborate with attorneys, paralegals, administrative staff, volunteers, and other Her Justice teams to support effective and coordinated client services or representation.

Participate in Immigration Practice meetings, trainings, case reviews, and other team activities.

Assist with maintaining and improving practice procedures, templates, resources, and workflows.

Identify administrative or operational issues that may affect client service or case progress and raise them with the appropriate team member.

Support special projects and other Immigration Practice priorities as assigned.

SKILLSET AND QUALITIES

Client-Centered & Trauma-Informed
You approach clients with empathy, patience, respect, and cultural humility. You understand that many Her Justice clients have experienced trauma and are navigating complex legal and personal circumstances, and you communicate in ways that support dignity, autonomy, and trust.

Highly Organized & Detail-Oriented
You can manage multiple cases, deadlines, documents, and competing priorities while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail. You understand the importance of complete records and timely follow-through in a legal services environment.

Strong Communicator
You communicate clearly, professionally, and respectfully with clients, colleagues, volunteers, and external partners. You are comfortable communicating complex processes in accessible language and know when questions or concerns should be escalated to an attorney.

Collaborative Team Member
You work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team and understand that strong client service depends on coordination and communication. You are willing to support colleagues, share information, and contribute to team priorities.

Accountable & Self-Directed
You take ownership of assigned responsibilities, follow through on commitments, and are comfortable managing routine work independently while seeking guidance when needed. You can adapt as priorities change and exercise sound judgment about when to escalate an issue.

Commitment to Her Justice's Mission
You demonstrate a commitment to social justice and an interest in addressing the legal and systemic barriers affecting immigrant survivors, women, and gender-diverse people living in poverty.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree, paralegal certificate, two-year legal studies degree, or equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant experience.

At least two years of experience providing immigration legal services or comparable immigration case support.

Fluency in Spanish sufficient to communicate effectively with clients regarding legal services and case-related matters.

Strong organizational, project-managementproject management, and time-management skills, with demonstrated attention to detail.

Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Ability to manage multiple responsibilities, deadlines, and priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team.

Ability to interact sensitively and effectively with survivors of trauma and individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Demonstrated commitment to social justice and interest in immigrant rights, gender justice, and/or services for survivors of intimate partner violence.

Proficiency with standard workplace technology and the ability to learn and effectively use case management and other organizational systems.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience supporting U Visa, VAWA Self-Petition, adjustment of status, employment authorization, or other humanitarian immigration matters, as either an experienced Immigration Paralegal or an Accredited Representative.

Experience working in a nonprofit legal services, public interest, or similar client-services environment.

Experience working with survivors of intimate partner violence, gender-based violence, or other forms of trauma.

Experience coordinating or supporting interns, volunteers, or pro bono legal professionals.

Experience using legal case management systems or databases.

Fluency in an additional language commonly spoken by Her Justice clients.

Work Environment

This is a hybrid position with a minimum of two days per week in Her Justice's New York City office, currently Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Because this is a client-facing role, the Immigration Paralegal should expect to work in the office more than two days per week when needed to support clients and the work of the Immigration Practice. Additional in-office presence may be required for client meetings, case preparation, clinics, court or other legal proceedings, team needs, and other practice-related responsibilities.

The Immigration Paralegal must have the flexibility to adjust their in-office schedule based on client and practice needs, with reasonable notice when practicable.

The role requires regular interaction with clients, attorneys, volunteers, and colleagues through in-person, telephone, and virtual communication.

The position involves managing confidential and sensitive client and legal information and requires adherence to Her Justice's confidentiality, data-security, and professional-responsibility requirements.

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Immigration Paralegal