Senior Attorney, Asylum Project NIJC

About NIJC

The National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) advances human rights and due process for immigrants refugees and asylum seekers through direct legal services impact litigation advocacy and public education. Headquartered in Chicago with offices in Washington DC Indiana and San Diego NIJCs team of over 100 attorneys paralegals and professionals along with 2000 pro bono attorneys is at the forefront of immigration reform.

Job Summary:

Attorneys in NIJCs 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. The Senior Attorney advocates for clients in complex cases before administrative and service agencies as needed leads special initiatives and collaboration with other departments and supervises attorneys paralegals coordinators fellows and interns.

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.
• Prepares cases for interview or hearing including drafting legal papers conducting client advocacy presenting evidence accordance with the Code of Professional Responsibility for the legal profession.
• Carries a volume of work as required by the department.
• Supervises attorneys coordinators and paralegals as required by the departments needs.
• Assists pro se noncitizens in the asylum process through workshops and one-on-one service provision.
• Has in-depth knowledge of legal and other resources.
• Provides technical support to NIJC staff and pro bono counsel assigned to complex NIJC cases as needed.
• 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 NIJCs communications team.
• 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 and develop materials.
• Identifies trends and recurring legal and social concerns. Recommends strategies for solutions and other needed advocacy.
• Develops 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 productively and handles other essentials duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Education and/or Experience:A law degree (JD) license to practice law and a minimum of two 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:This position requires regular communication with clients in Spanish. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written Spanish.
• 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:

1. Your resume
2. A compelling cover letter that includes the following:
   1. Why you are interested in this specific role and in working for NIJC
   2. How your unique skills and experience will enable you to make a significant impact on our team and help us achieve our mission.
   3. A specific brief example of a project or accomplishment from your past that best demonstrates your relevant qualifications.

*Please contact if you encounter any issues with your application

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 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.

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.

By submitting your application you acknowledge and consent to undergo a comprehensive background check as part of the employment process. This background check will be conducted in compliance with applicable state and federal laws.

Required Experience:

Senior IC