Description:
Job Summary:The senior attorney will be based in Indianapolis and will focus on matters involving detained immigrants and immigrants appearing before the Indianapolis Immigration Court. This position involves regular travel to detention facilities. The position provides 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. The position also provides technical support to pro bono counsel assigned to complex NIJC cases. A senior attorney advocates for clients on complex cases before government administrative agencies and service agencies, as needed and/or as appropriate.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Conducts regular visits to immigration detention facilities for client representation, conditions monitoring and, where possible, Know Your Rights presentations.
- Supports federal litigation on behalf of detained immigrants and supports limited representation and pro se support of immigrants appearing without counsel before the Indianapolis Immigration Court.
- 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. Recommends exceptions to financial guidelines to the Supervisor.
- 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.
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.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations 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 operating a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a copy machine.