Position Summary:

The LAA seeks a talented attorney or DOJ Accredited Representative with experience in immigration law to provide direct legal services and administrative support to Service applicants for U Visa and VAWA immigration relief.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Interview and screen clients, assess client needs, and advise clients on VAWA, U Nonimmigrant Status and immigration law
• Research immigration law, statutory and case law
• Monitor changes in U Visa policy and immigration law as they affect clients
• Prepare appropriate immigration applications
• Represent clients in USCIS interviews
• Follow-up on client deadlines
• Prepare memoranda and briefs to USCIS and AAO
• Supplement immigration applications with appropriate supporting documentation
• Prepare and represent clients at USCIS interviews
• Supervise a paralegal/legal assistant, interns, and volunteers, as appropriate
• Participate in community outreach programs, including giving presentations to community groups and organizations
• Provide training to other staff members, as appropriate
• Maintain accurate and orderly records and files
• Maintain data, statistics and create reports, as required by grants
• Maintain and protect client confidentiality
• Interface with other legal professionals, attend meetings and represent the LAA, as directed
• Assist in developing funding sources
• Comply with all grant policies and procedures
• Perform other related duties and tasks, as necessary or as assigned

Qualifications:

• If Attorney
  • Law Degree from accredited law school
  • Membership in good standing of State Bar
• If DOJ Accredited Representative
  • Experience handling VAWA and U Visa Cases
  • Currently a DOJ Accredited Representative (Full or Partial) or an individual with the education, experience, and documented support necessary to become one upon hiring
• Fluency in English AND Spanish REQUIRED; knowledge of another language is a plus
• Knowledge of and experience in U Visa, VAWA and immigration law
• Strong written and oral communication and interpersonal skills
• Sensitive to issues facing victims of domestic violence and needs of low income and culturally diverse clients
• Prior supervisory experience, preferably in a legal setting
• Strong organizational skills and attentive to detail
• Ability to multitask and work in fast-paced environment
• Strong analytical and writing skills
• Excellent computer skills and office administration skills
• Previous experience working with immigrant communities

Applicant may be required to pass a background check, including education verification, criminal history and DMV history, as a condition of employment.

Compensation:

Competitive salary and benefits commensurate with experience.

This job description should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the exclusive standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions and perform other related duties as may be required by their supervisor. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Learn more about the LAA at www.thelaa.org.

Please submit resume to gkocerha@thelaa.org.

Catholic Charities founded in 1903 remains among the largest and well-respected social service agency with programs and offices located in Boston and the Greater Boston area.

As one of the largest providers of social service in Massachusetts, Catholic Charities of Boston offers over 70 programs and services in 23 locations around Eastern Massachusetts. From Lawrence to Brockton and Natick to Boston, our service sites throughout Eastern Massachusetts helped 175,000 of our neediest neighbors of all faiths last year.

We are currently seeking two (2) full-time Staff Attorneys for the Refugee and Immigrant Services program located in South Boston.

The Staff Attorney will conduct consultations for persons seeking immigration relief or benefits. Represent clients in a wide variety of matters before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), U.S. Department of State, and Immigration Court, including preparing applications and petitions, drafting briefs and other legal memoranda, and attending interviews and hearings. Mentor and oversee law students/interns or pro bono attorneys as requested.

Qualifications include:

• Juris Doctor from accredited law school in the US.
• Active bar membership; admitted in MA preferred.
• Minimum 1-2 years in the practice of immigration law.
• Bilingual in English/Spanish strongly preferred.
• Strong legal writing and communication skills.
• Excellent administrative, data collection, typing and computer skills with keen attention to detail.
• Computer proficiency with MS Office, e-learning and webinars, and experience with database systems.
• Experience with virtual communication and meeting tools such as Zoom, WhatsApp, Webex and Microsoft Teams.
• Ability to establish and maintain a positive and professional relationship with co-workers, clients, and community service providers.
• Cultural responsiveness, commitment to racial justice, and ability to relate well and effectively in a multicultural and multilingual workplace with diverse client population is required.
• Must have U.S. driver’s license and reliable vehicle or access to reliable public transportation for work related travel.

We offer a congenial and team approach work environment with the opportunity to learn and grow professionally. Our benefits are competitive and include a 403(b) savings plan and generous time off.

Interested applicants should send a cover letter and resume to: resumes@ccab.org. Please reference job 9107. No phone calls please.

Catholic Charities is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. Visit us at: www.ccab.org.

The Immigrant & Refugee Services Division at Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark (www.ccannj.com/refugee_immigration.php) seeks four Staff Attorneys to establish new legal orientation programs for unrepresented individuals and families in immigration court proceedings. Under the supervision of a Supervising Staff Attorney, the Staff Attorneys will be responsible for the following primary job duties:

1. Providing legal orientation presentations to unrepresented individuals appearing in immigration court, in order to help them understand and navigate the process
2. Preparing and delivering self-help workshops for unrepresented individuals
3. Providing referrals for social services and pro bono placements
4. Serving as friend of court during immigration court hearings
5. Working as part of the project team to recruit and train volunteers, manage data and reporting
6. Liaise with national project network on best practices, legal developments, trainings, and materials
7. Performing any other duties and responsibilities assigned by the supervisor

Required Qualifications

1. J.D. from an ABA accredited law school
2. Admission (or admission pending) to practice law in any state
3. Ability to handle several projects and tasks simultaneously
4. Ability to communicate complex issues clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
5. Bilingual in English and Spanish
6. Prior experience working in a non-profit setting and/or immigration law is preferred but not required.

To Apply (4 positions available)

Please send resume, cover letter, and three references to immigration@ccannj.org. Please include the position title in the subject line of the email.

The Immigrant & Refugee Services Division at Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark (www.ccannj.com/refugee_immigration.php) seeks a Staff Attorney to manage a caseload of defensive and affirmative matters involving unaccompanied children and similarly situated youth. Under the supervision of the Director, Immigrant & Refugee Services, the Staff Attorney is responsible for the following primary job duties:

1. Providing direct representation for unaccompanied children and other youth:
   • Conducting client interviews
   • Researching legal issues
   • Determining and implementing legal strategy
   • Drafting court filings, including pleadings, motions, and briefs
   • Drafting applications for immigration benefits
   • Appearing in immigration court and family court
   • Appearing for USCIS benefits interviews
   • Keeping detailed digital case notes and records
   • Reporting data on monthly/quarterly/annual basis and as otherwise required by funder
2. Conducting legal consultations and provide referrals
3. Conducting community outreach and education on topics of particular relevance to immigrant children and youth
4. Liaising with Children & Youth Case Worker to facilitate services
5. Performing other duties as determined by the supervisor

Required Qualifications

1. J.D. from an ABA accredited law school
2. Admission to practice law in New Jersey
3. Ability to handle several projects and tasks simultaneously
4. Ability to communicate complex issues clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
5. Bilingual in English and Spanish
6. Prior experience working in a non-profit setting and/or immigration law is preferred but not required.

To Apply

Please send resume, cover letter, and three references to immigration@ccannj.org. Please include the position title in the subject line of the email.

Role

The Detention Staff Attorney will be part of a team focused on challenging the immigration system through direct representation in removal proceedings, BIA and federal circuit appeals, with an eye towards identifying issues for litigation and advocacy efforts, primarily in service of our clients who are detained in Louisiana and Mississippi. The position will be full-time and may either work out of our Memphis office or remotely in Louisiana, Mississippi or Arkansas within a five to six hour radius of central Louisiana.

Responsibilities

• Support AIR’s legal work by handling an active caseload before immigration agencies and federal courts, both detained and non-detained, depending on need
• Communicate effectively with clients, colleagues, and community
• Supervise support staff
• Participate in and collaborate in creating strategy for systemic change
• Engage in work with partner organizations to advance media outreach, advocacy, policy, and litigation
• Help maintain relationships with pro bono counsel, the private bar, partner organizations, and community groups

Qualifications

• Working knowledge of Spanish required, fluency strongly preferred
• A J.D. degree and admission to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction required
• 1-3 years of relevant legal experience required (clerkships count towards years of experience.)
• Prior experience working on behalf of immigrants strongly preferred
• Excellent legal strategy, analysis, drafting, and editing skills
• Excellent oral communication skills, including in both legal advocacy and broader public communication
• Ability to work independently and within a team
• Ability to effectively prioritize tasks and meet deadlines
• Ability, willingness, and energy to travel to detention centers across Louisiana and West Mississippi and reliable transportation
• A developed race and equity lens that informs your work and guides your leadership
• Commitment to supporting the development of a program that utilizes litigation, policy, and media strategy creatively in the fight for systemic chang

Salary and Benefits

Salary for this full-time position is $50,000 to $57,000 commensurate with qualifications. AIR offers excellent benefits including health insurance coverage and generous paid time off.

Advocates for Immigrant Rights (AIR) is an equal opportunity employer. AIR strongly encourages asylum seekers, immigrants, Black people, Indigenous people, and people of color (BIPOC), Latinx people, people with disabilities, LGBTQ people, women, first-generation college students/professionals, and all marginalized individuals to apply, and recognizes the unique and valuable skills that such applicants can bring to this work.

Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume and references to advocates@airlegal.org using the subject line “Staff Attorney Application.” The position will be open until it is filled. If you have questions, please email advocates@airlegal.org.