Description:
About the Opportunity:The Law Office of Erika N. Salter is seeking an experienced Immigration & Removal Defense Attorney to join our growing legal team.
This position is ideal for an attorney with significant immigration court experience who is confident handling complex removal matters, developing case strategy, preparing clients for court, and advocating effectively before Immigration Judges and USCIS.
We are looking for more than someone who can simply manage a docket. We want an attorney who can analyze a case deeply, identify strengths and weaknesses, anticipate issues, develop alternative strategies, and provide clients with strong, thoughtful representation during some of the most important moments of their lives.
Our attorneys are supported by an experienced legal team, including immigration paralegals and legal leadership who provides additional insight and support on complex immigration and removal matters.
Key Responsibilities:
The Immigration & Removal Defense Attorney will:
- Represent clients before EOIR Immigration Courts, USCIS, and other immigration agencies
- Independently removal defense and immigration matters
- Represent clients at Master Calendar Hearings and Individual Merits Hearings
- Develop comprehensive case strategies based on the facts, evidence, applicable law, and available forms of relief
- Handle matters involving Cancellation of Removal, Adjustment of Status, Asylum, Withholding of Removal, Voluntary Departure, waivers, and other forms of relief
- Prepare, approve and present motions to reopen, motions to reconsider, motions to terminate, motions to continue, motions to change venue, motions to stay, and other complex motions
- Identify potential appellate issues and assist with Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) matters and briefs
- Conduct detailed client preparation for testimony, individual hearings, and USCIS interviews
- Review evidence and identify weaknesses or gaps that must be addressed before hearings or filings
- Conduct legal research and remain current on changes in immigration law, regulations, BIA decisions, federal court decisions, and agency policy
- Review and provide substantive legal direction on work prepared by paralegals
- Communicate clearly with clients regarding case strategy, risks, expectations, and next steps
- Maintain accurate case notes, deadlines, and documentation within the firm's case management system
What we are looking for:
The ideal candidate will have:
- Active license and good standing with a U.S. state bar
- Significant experience practicing U.S. immigration law
- Strong, hands-on experience in removal defense and Immigration Court proceedings
- Demonstrated experience handling Individual Hearings
- Experience developing legal strategy for complex immigration cases
- Strong legal research, writing, and motion-drafting skills
- Experience with cancellation of removal, asylum, adjustment of status, waivers, and related immigration relief
- Ability to independently assess a case and identify both primary and alternative legal strategies
- Strong courtroom presence and oral advocacy skills
- Excellent client counseling and communication skills
- Ability to effectively manage deadlines and a substantial caseload
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to thoroughly understanding the facts and evidence of each assigned case
- Ability to work collaboratively with attorneys and paralegals in a team-oriented environment
