Associate Attorney (Bilingual: Spanish/English)

Location: Newark, New Jersey

Position Type: Full-Time / Hybrid

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2 to 3 years of immigration law practice preferred)

Licensure: Admitted to the New Jersey State Bar (Required)

About the Firm

We are a dedicated immigration practice focused on providing premium, compassionate advocacy for our clients. Our firm bridges the gap between complex federal appellate litigation and direct, hands-on removal defense. We pride ourselves on operational excellence, utilizing an automated workflow infrastructure to streamline administration so our legal team can focus on what matters most: litigation, client strategy, and zealous advocacy.

Position Overview

We are seeking a driven, sharp, and culturally competent Associate Attorney who is fully bilingual in Spanish and English to manage a diverse case load. This is not a back-office, paper-pushing role. The successful candidate will step into immediate courtroom exposure and collaborate closely with senior leadership on high-level legal strategy and USCIS interviews in Philadelphia, New York and New Jersey.

The ideal candidate must possess a strong courtroom presence, exceptional brief-writing skills, and a deeply compassionate communication style tailored to individuals navigating the immigration system.

Core Responsibilities

Active Litigation & Courtroom Representation: Manage master calendar and individual hearings at Immigration Court, representing clients confidently in removal defense proceedings.
Case Management: Oversee and execute a comprehensive case load involving Family Petitions, Waivers, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), and removal defense.
Brief Writing & Legal Research: Draft persuasive motions, advanced litigation briefs, and applications for submission to the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) and federal Circuit Courts.
Bilingual Client Engagement: Preparation sessions completely in Spanish and English, managing client communication with empathy and professionalism.
Strategic Collaboration: Partner directly in one-on-one strategic collaboration sessions with the Principal Attorney to structure legal arguments and navigate complex personnel or case realignments.
Operational Oversight: Collaborate with the firm's dedicated paralegal team on documentation, database workflow navigation, and intake procedures utilizing EIAIR

Position Requirements

Licensure: Must be an active member in good standing with the New Jersey State Bar (candidates waiting on imminent admission may be considered if bar passage is confirmed).
Experience: 2 to 3 years of direct immigration law practice experience focusing on family petitions, waivers, SIJS, and removal defense.
Language Fluency: Full professional fluency in both Spanish and English is strictly required. Candidates must be able to confidently prep clients and conduct legal hearings in both languages without an interpreter.
Technical Skills: Experience with legal practice management software (such as EIAIR), and e-filing/courtroom portals (USCIS/JEDS) is preferred.

Compensation & Benefits

We offer a transparent compensation package.

Base Salary: $95,000 – $110,000 annually (dependent on exact experience)
Origination Bonus: An attractive 10% fee-share of the retainer for any new clients successfully retained by the firm
Attorney Budget (Annual): An annual allocation of $3,500 – $5,000 specifically dedicated to substantive professional conferences, immigration training courses, and AILA-level development
Retirement: 401(k) retirement plan
Healthcare: Comprehensive health insurance stipend
Paid Time Off: Competitive PTO policy for annual vacation and sick days

Why Join Us?

Direct Executive Mentorship: Work daily, one-on-one, with our Principal Attorney to learn advanced litigation strategies, case-spotting methodologies, and firm business operations.
Immediate Litigation Exposure: Gain rapid, front-line trial experience managing live individual and master calendar hearings rather than stuck doing drafting isolation.
Advanced Growth Track: Gain unique exposure to federal Circuit Court appeals and high-level immigration litigation tactics, preparing you for a premier trajectory in the immigration legal field.

Pay: $95,000.00 - $110,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k)
Flexible schedule
Free parking
Health insurance
Paid holidays
Paid sick time
Paid time off

Work Location: In person

Law Offices of Cesar Martin Estela

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