Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services Inc. (SMRLS) is seeking a bilingual (Spanish/English) immigration staff attorney for its St. Paul, Minnesota office. This position is funded by a grant through the Minnesota Office of Justice Programs to expand SMRLS’ capacity to provide direct legal services to crime victims. This grant is funded for this year and is expected to be funded for another 3 years. The position will handle immigration cases for immigrant crime victims.

RESPONSIBILITIES: Provide legal assistance to immigrant victims of domestic violence and violent crime in VAWA cases, U visa cases, U visa adjustment of status, and removal of conditions cases. Handle other types of immigration cases as needed. Conduct community outreach to an increasingly diverse immigrant and refugee client community throughout SMRLS’ service area. Applicants will maintain a caseload in compliance with SMRLS’ practice standards and comply with SMRLS’ policies, practices, and guiding principles. Some day travel to southern Minnesota required. SMRLS may also shift job duties to entire 33-county other substantive areas to meet client need.
QUALIFICATIONS: Must either be licensed to practice law in Minnesota or be a candidate for Bar admission. 2-3 years of immigrant law experience preferred. All applicants must speak, read, and write Spanish. Prior experience working with immigrant victims of domestic violence and low-income clients is strongly preferred. Prior experience with immigration law, legal aid, and other non-profit agencies is preferred. Non-academic experiences, as they relate to an interest in working with low income
individuals, will be given weight. Applicants should have strong public speaking skills, excellent writing skills, and good judgment.
Applicants should learn quickly, work constructively with a wide variety of persons, and work well independently and also as part of a team.

Position Open: Immediately

Salary: $50,008 and up D.O.E., pursuant to scale. Benefits provided.
Apply on-line at www.smrls.org or submit cover letter, resume, and three references to:
Xer Xiong, Legal Secretary
Southern MN Regional Legal Svcs.
450 N Syndicate Street, Suite 285
St. Paul, MN 55104
xer.xiong@smrls.org