Skip to content

ILCM – Spanish-speaking staff attorney

ILCM

Posted 1 year ago

THE ROLE

The Staff Attorney will be an integral part of our Community Defense team. Second language fluency in Spanish is required. ILCM will also consider experienced 3L applicants who can work part-time until graduation and are willing to take the July bar exam. 

The Staff Attorney is responsible for legal representation in a variety of immigration matters, including immigration court cases, and for providing information, technical assistance, outreach, and training on behalf of income-eligible persons of all nationalities.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

1.     Provide representation to individuals and families in defensive immigration matters in both detained and non-detained cases, including some or all of the following tasks: prepare and submit written pleadings and motions to the Immigration Court in Fort Snelling, MN, draft and file appropriate applications for relief from removal (i.e.: cancellation of removal, asylum, waiver applications, among others), meet with clients at detention facilities by phone or in-person (once safe to do so), prepare clients and witnesses for individual hearings, and represent clients (where appropriate) to the Board of Immigration Appeals.

2.     Provide representation to individuals and families in affirmative immigration matters, including some or all of the following tasks: prepare and submit immigration applications to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS); respond to requests for evidence; keep clients informed about their case status; ensure that clients receive and understand communications from USCIS regarding their pending applications; prepare clients for interviews with USCIS; and educate clients about their rights and obligations under immigration law. Case types will include, but are not limited to: naturalization, U Visas, T Visas, VAWA, DACA, and family unity.

3.     Provide Padilla consultations to public defenders about the immigration consequences of criminal pleas and convictions.

4.     Conduct Know Your Rights presentations at immigration detention facilities for unrepresented individuals (once safe to do so).

5.     Engage in outreach efforts to immigrant and refugee communities regarding our legal services.

6.     Conduct remote intake consultations with and provide advice to potential clients, including individuals in immigration detention.

7.     Identify and resolve legal issues on behalf of new clients, accept cases, maintain client files.

8.     Maintain client data in compliance with organization protocols, grant and contract requirements, and ethical obligations.

9.     Provide information about immigration law to agencies that work with immigrant and refugee communities on a one-to-one basis and through presentations.

10.  Assist in grant proposal and report preparation as needed.

11.  Perform other tasks, responsibilities, and special projects as assigned or directed.

QUALIFICATIONS | KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES 

  • J.D. degree and admission to a state bar. ILCM will also consider experienced 3L applicants who can work part-time until graduation and are willing to take the July bar exam. 
  • Second language fluency in Spanish required.
  • Experience with immigration law, immigration court representation, and the intersection of immigration and criminal law are preferred.

·       Excellent oral, listening, and written communication skills.

·       Ability to and interest in representing clients in defensive, immigration court proceedings.

·       High level of flexibility in adapting to changing immigration laws, procedures, and policies.

·       High level of attention to detail and ability to manage multiple projects concurrently.

·       Familiarity with diverse refugee and immigrant communities, community agencies, and resources.

·       Demonstrated interest in serving the low-income immigrant and refugee community and experience working with persons of diverse economic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds.

·       Ability to work constructively with others, possess good judgment, learn quickly, and work well independently and under pressure as well as in collaboration with other staff and with other organizations.

·       Working knowledge of standard word processing and presentation programs (i.e. Microsoft Word and PowerPoint) required; knowledge of immigration form programs and case database experience a plus.

·       Own car and able to travel to detention facilities 2-3 times per month (up to 100 miles from ILCM St. Paul office), to meet with clients, and to conduct outreach.  Note—due to pandemic travel is not currently required to detention facilities.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

ILCM is proud to offer a competitive compensation package:

  • Annual compensation: $52,000-$55,000 (After bar passage and DOE)
  • Benefits:
  • Paid- time-off
  • Health (ILCM currently pays 90% of the employee & dependent portion of premiums and 80% for spouses)
  • Dental (ILCM currently pays 65% of the employee and dependent premiums)
  • Vision (Employee paid)
  • FSA (ILCM currently contributes $500 per year regardless of whether the employee is enrolled in ILCM’s health plan)
  • Life, Short/Long-term Disability Insurance
  • IRA Plan w/employer match of up to 3% of the employee’s compensation
  • Please note that all benefits programs are governed by plan documents. In the event of any conflicts, the plan documents will govern.

HOW TO APPLY

Please send a letter of interest, resume, and three references to: oficinalegal@ilcm.org. Deadline to apply is February 18, 2022.

Visit our website at https://www.ilcm.org/ to learn more about our work.

Apply Online