Description:

Summary:  
NIJC seeks a human rights/immigration attorney with at least three years of experience to join our nationally recognized team as a supervising attorney. In this role, the supervisor will manage a team of lawyers, paralegals, and/or coordinators, ensure high-quality legal services, support casework, and oversee intake of individuals and their families. The supervisor will collaborate with other teams, including management, litigation, policy, and communications.

Attorneys in NIJC's Asylum Project represent detained and non-detained asylum seekers, especially those facing removal. Successful candidates will work independently and collaboratively, locally and nationally, demonstrating meticulous attention to detail, clear communication, and effective time management.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:  

Conducts preliminary intake interview, gathers all relevant facts, and makes legal assessments.  Assesses income eligibility and makes appropriate referrals for those individuals not eligible for Organization services. 
Develops and implements complex case strategies in consultation with supervisor.
Supervises attorneys, coordinators, and paralegals as required by the department's needs.
Prepares cases for interview or hearing, including drafting legal papers, conducting client advocacy, presenting evidence, etc. in accordance with the Code of Professional Responsibility for the legal profession.
Provides limited scope legal orientation, legal advice, hearing preparation, and document preparation for pro se individuals. Carries a volume of work as required by the department.
Has in-depth knowledge of legal and other resources. 
Provides technical support to NIJC staff and 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 and media interviews in conjunction with NIJC's communications team.
Maintains complete and accurate client records.  Prepares timely statistical reports.  Conducts quarterly case audits for Supervisor presentation and review. 
Participates in training on immigration procedures as assigned by the Supervisor.  May conduct training sessions and form materials.
Identifies trends and recurring legal and social concerns.  Recommends strategies for solutions and other needed advocacy.
Assists managing attorney in developing internal procedures and best practices and implementing those procedures within the project.
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. 
Advances an anti-racist organization that promotes diversity, equity and inclusion
Reacts to change and manages other essential duties as assigned.

Skills and Competencies:

Maintains complete and accurate client records, conducting periodic case audits.
Strong writing skills, including the ability to simplify complicated concepts for a nonspecialist audience.
Participates in training on immigration procedures as assigned by the Supervisor. May conduct training sessions and develop materials assigned by the Supervisor.
Identifies trends and recurring legal and social concerns. Recommends strategies for solutions and other needed advocacy.
Ability to thrive in fast-paced environments and adapt quickly to change.
Self-motivated and committed to immigrant advocacy.
Ability to build and maintain productive relationships with colleagues internally and outside of the organization.
Meticulous attention to detail, clear communication, and effective time management.
Excellent public speaking and interpersonal skills.

Qualifications:

Education and/or Experience: A law degree (JD), license to practice law, and a minimum of three years' experience 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 ability to work cooperatively on a variety of projects with lawyers, other staff members, and diverse community organizations and coalitions.
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 write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.  Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the 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.
Computer Skills: Proficient in Microsoft 365.

How to Apply:
Please Include:

Your resume
A brief cover letter that highlights your interest in this role, why the work resonates with you, and any experience that connects to NIJC's mission and the responsibilities of the position.

Physical Abilities Statement
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation 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 operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a copy machine.

It is the policy of NIJC not to discriminate against any applicant for employment, or any employee because of age, color, sex, disability, national origin, race, religion, or veteran status. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

For any technical issues please contact recruiting@immigrantjustice.org