Staff Attorney - Immigration Law

Greater Boston Legal Services • Boston, MA, US • $78k - $82.50k / year • 15h ago

GBLS seeks a full-time long-term temporary staff attorney with 0 to 3 years of experience to join our Immigration Unit (IU). The position is currently funded for 18 months, with any continuation beyond that period dependent on available funding and organizational needs. The attorney will primarily represent clients in removal proceedings on a variety of matters, with an emphasis on defensive asylum, detained and non-detained removal defense, and other complex litigation matters. We are seeking an attorney who is eager to take on challenging cases, exercise sound judgment under pressure, and provide high-quality representation to clients facing urgent and life-altering immigration consequences.

Responsibilities of the Staff Attorney will include:

Representing individuals in both detained and non-detained proceedings, including cases involving complex factual, legal, and procedural issues;
Responding effectively to urgent client needs, court deadlines, detention-related emergencies, and rapidly changing circumstances;
Participating fully in GBLS' internal intake process, community legal clinics, and other outreach programs;
Participating actively in community and legal coalitions to respond to emerging and emergency legal needs in the immigrant community;
Assisting with general administrative tasks and grant reporting as appropriate.

Qualifications:

Demonstrated ability to manage challenging litigation matters, prioritize competing demands, and perform effectively in fast-paced, high-pressure environments;
We are looking for a candidate who takes initiative, is comfortable working with clients from a wide range of backgrounds, and enjoys collaborating with team members and outside organizations and coalitions;
The candidate must have excellent oral advocacy, legal writing, and client communication skills;
Proficiency in Spanish, Haitian Creole, or Portuguese is preferred but not required;
This position is for an attorney with 0 to 3 years of legal experience. Per GBLS' union rules, eligible candidates must have graduated from law school between May 2023 and May 2026. We cannot consider applicants who fall outside this range;
Massachusetts bar admission required. Candidates graduating in May 2026 must take the next available bar examination.