Description:
Overview:An Immigration, Estate Planning and Probate, Criminal Law, Divorce and Family Law Firm is a small, up-and-coming law firm based in Arlington, MA. We specialize in immigration, family law, and estate planning. Queer and First-Generation Immigrant owned. This is a collegial work environment with a diverse clientele.
We are looking for an Associate Attorney that will help with day-to-day operations of the firm, with a focus on immigration law.
Responsibilities:
Client Support
- Meet with clients to gather facts, assess eligibility, and explain legal processes in clear, accessible language.
- Provide regular case updates, manage expectations, and ensure clients feel supported throughout proceedings.
- Collaborate with bilingual staff or interpreters to ensure full client understanding.
- Draft and review immigration applications and petitions (e.g., I-130, I-485, I-589, N-400, I-765, I-131, I-864).
- Prepare supporting documentation, affidavits, exhibits, and legal arguments for USCIS, EOIR, and consular filings.
- Draft legal memoranda, client declarations, and persuasive cover letters with attorney oversight.
- File applications and track case deadlines, ensuring compliance with procedural requirements.
- Represent clients in master calendar hearings and certain individual hearings under supervision.
- Draft motions, briefs, and responses before USCIS and EOIR.
- Communicate directly with USCIS, ICE, EOIR, and consulates on case inquiries.
- Assist in preparing trial binders, hearing packets, and witness preparation for more complex matters.
- Conduct legal research on immigration law, recent policy developments, and country conditions.
- Draft case timelines, client chronologies, and evidentiary summaries for use in asylum and humanitarian claims.
- Stay current on immigration law updates and propose practice adjustments where necessary.
- Review paralegal and legal assistant work for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with filing requirements.
- Provide constructive feedback and mentorship to support staff on drafting, filing, and client communication.
- Assist in training staff on new systems, practice updates, and firm policies.
- Support attorneys in family law matters, including drafting pleadings, preparing financial statements, and assisting in discovery.
- Contribute to estate planning cases by reviewing trust and will drafts, preparing client intake summaries, and ensuring compliance with Massachusetts probate rules.
- Review and edit filings in other practice areas to ensure accuracy, clarity, and consistency with client goals.
- Manage individual caseloads while coordinating with supervising attorney.
- Track deadlines, hearings, and interviews in firm calendars.
- Contribute to a supportive and collaborative office culture.
Requirements:
- JD degree and admission to at least one state bar (or pending admission).
- Excellent legal writing, research, and advocacy skills.
- Ability to manage multiple cases with strong attention to detail.
- Collaborative mindset with a client-centered approach.
Preferred Skills:
- Courtroom experience (e.g., through clinics, internships, or clerkships).
- Familiarity with online court filing systems and case management platforms (Docketwise preferred).
- Bilingual Spanish or Portuguese strongly preferred.
