About NIJC
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.
Job Summary
The National Immigrant Justice Center seeks to fill several Senior Attorney roles across our organization, providing legal consultations, advice and representation to low-income immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers before the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Department of State, and U.S. Department of Justice. The position also provides technical support to pro bono counsel assigned to complex NIJC cases. A senior attorney advocates for clients in complex cases before government administrative agencies and service agencies, as needed and/or as appropriate.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
- Conducts preliminary intake interview, gathers all relevant facts for presentation at Unit meetings.
- Makes assessment of income eligibility and makes appropriate referrals for those individuals not eligible for Organization 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 required by the department. Has in-depth knowledge of legal and other resources. Provides technical support to pro bono counsel assigned to complex NIJC cases.
- 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 EOIR, DHS, U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS), government and social service organizations and community organizations as necessary. Interprets immigration and department policies and programs 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 quarterly case audits for presentation and review of the Supervisor.
- Participates in training on immigration procedures as assigned by the Supervisor. May conduct training sessions as assigned by the Supervisor.
- 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.
Projects We're Currently Hiring For
- Immigrant Legal Defense (Spanish required) -The Immigrant Legal Defense Project seeks an experienced attorney to primarily provide training and technical assistance to pro bono attorneys representing in affirmative applications for immigration relief, including asylee/refugee adjustment and family petitions, U visa, VAWA, and DACA. The attorney will also provide direct representation in affirmative immigration applications and removal proceedings.
- Asylum - NIJC's Asylum Project provides free legal representation to asylum seekers fleeing persecution in their homelands. The Asylum Projects seeks a senior attorney to provide legal representation and immigration legal service counseling to immigrants appearing before the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with a focus on the representation of complex cases involving asylum seekers, including children, families, and adults. This senior attorney will both provide direct technical assistance to pro bono counsel assigned to NIJC cases and develop training materials for pro bono attorneys.
- Detention project - The Detention Project seeks an experienced attorney with detained removal defense and other relevant immigration experience to serve as the organization's Senior Attorney of Capacity Building and Mentorship. This position seeks to build capacity for the delivery of high-quality free legal services to immigrants detained by ICE. This position will be integrated into NIJC's Midwest Immigrant Defenders Alliance portfolio-aimed at providing representation to detained Illinois residents regardless of where in the U.S. they are held-and support these efforts across our partner organizations by providing mentorship, sharing resources, and organizing relevant trainings. This position will also work across NIJC projects and oversee professional development opportunities and initiatives within the organization and be responsive to the training needs of NIJC legal staff. This position will report to NIJC's Managing Attorney for Capacity Building and sit within NIJC's adult detention project.
- Litigation - Work on federal litigation cases and collaborate with NIJC's communication, policy, and litigation teams and pro bono attorneys
Skills And Competencies
- Maintains complete and accurate client records.
- Participates in training on immigration procedures as assigned by the Supervisor. May conduct training sessions and develop materials assigned by the Supervisor.
- Identifies trends and recurring legal and social concerns. Recommends strategies for solutions and other needed advocacy.
- Ability to thrive in fast-paced environments and adapt quickly to change.
- Self-motivated and committed to immigrant advocacy.
- Ability to build and maintain productive relationships with colleagues internally and outside of the organization.
- Meticulous attention to detail, clear communication, and effective time management.
- Excellent public speaking and interpersonal skills.
Qualifications
- Education and/or Experience: Juris Doctorate Degree required; and at least three years of practicing law with a preference in immigration and/or human rights law; self-motivated and committed to civil liberties advocacy; ability to represent individuals in complex cases and to formulate and implement sophisticated legal strategies; demonstrated
- Language Skills: High proficiency or fluency in Spanish required. Excellent writing and analytical skills; Ability to communicate effectively in legal and non-legal settings with a wide range of individuals and organizations. 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.
- Reasoning Ability: 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
How To Apply
Please Include:
- Your resume
- A brief cover letter that highlights your interest in this role, why the work resonates with you, and any experience that connects to NIJC's mission and the responsibilities of the position.
Physical Abilities Statement
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time.
- The person in this position occasionally needs to move about the inside of the office to access filing cabinets, office machinery, etc.
- Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a copy machine.
It is the policy of NIJC not to discriminate against any applicant for employment, or any employee because of age, color, sex, disability, national origin, race, religion, or veteran status. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.
For any technical issues please contact recruiting@immigrantjustice.org
By submitting your application, you acknowledge and consent to undergo a comprehensive background check as part of the employment process. This background check will be conducted in compliance with applicable state and federal laws.
Salary: $81600.00 - $96000.00 per year
