Description:
Summary:LUPE has a sister organization, LUPE Votes, a separate but related, nonprofit organization exempting federal income tax under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. Although LUPE and LUPE Votes share a common goal of supporting immigrants and low-income people in Rio Grande Valley and nationally, they are separate organizations with their own boards of directors and a set of employees at the two organizations, including the person filling this position, shares their time between the two organizations. This does not affect salary or benefits.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.:
- Representation of clients for purposes of USCIS interviews, removal proceedings, legal research and drafting and case evaluation.
- Accountable for providing legal services to immigrants in removal proceedings in the South Texas Region.
- Direct representation of LUPE clients before DHS agencies (i.e. CBP, ICE) and Immigration Court as appropriate.
- Regularly appears in immigration court to represent clients seeking immigration relief such as asylum, cancellation of removal, and other relief as appropriate.
- Review consultation intakes, determine follow up actions, and assign the case to appropriate Legal Assistant or Social Services staff.
- Research and analyze immigration law sources such as statutes, recorded judicial decisions, legal articles, treaties, constitutions, and legal codes to maintain familiarity with the most current adjustments and changes in the law and regulations.
- Prepare legal documents needed to represent LUPE clients such as briefs, pleadings, appeals, and contracts for immigration cases.
- Investigate facts and laws of cases to determine causes of action and to prepare cases accordingly.
- Assists with tracking and developing legal training needs for Social Services and Legal Defense team.
- Train Social Service staff and Legal Assistants on provisions of immigration laws and regulations and the proper preparation of immigration applications.
- Explain immigration laws and regulations at membership meetings.
- Attend immigration-related coalition meetings.
- Visit all LUPE offices to review cases and train individual Service Providers and Legal Assistants.
- Support Social Services Providers and Legal Assistants in seeking and renewing Office of Legal Access Programs (OLAP) accreditation.
- Provide guidance and assistance on cases that come in through the Social Services Department and the Legal Defense Department including family-based petitions, adjustments and waivers, as needed.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
This candidate will direct the work of legal assistants as required for completion of projects.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
Nothing in the Job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job description at any time, for any reason.
Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office products and Google tools. Must be able to pick up on client visual and verbal cues during consultations. Have access to reliable transportation to travel to off-site work locations. Must be insurable and have an acceptable driving record. This position requires the ability to travel to and enter detention centers.
Education and/or Experience:
Must have a Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school and three or more years of post-graduation immigration experience. Must be Licensed to practice law in a U.S. state or territory. Prior volunteer, community, or work experience regarding immigration or detention is preferred. Prior work experience with children, particularly from Central America is preferred. Prior non-profit experience, particularly involving field work or work in remote locations is preferred.
Language Skills:
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from clients, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors. Must have fluency in English and Spanish in written and spoken forms.
Reasoning Ability:
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of specific instructions and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. The Staff Attorney shall not solicit, induce, or attempt to solicit or induce any client, customer, or employee of Employer for personal gain or on behalf of any other individual, firm, corporation, or entity.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:
Registered with the American Bar Association of the State of Texas.