Bilingual Immigration Attorney

Justice and Mercy Legal Aid Center

Denver, CO

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JOB DETAILS
JOB TYPE
Full-time
LOCATION
Denver, CO
POSTED
4 days ago
The Justice and Mercy Legal Aid Center (JAMLAC) is a faith-based non-profit charitable organization (501c3) that provides full civil legal representation for family law, immigration law, and limited civil matters. Our mission is to seek justice for people who are struggling with poverty and oppression in a way that affirms their dignity and strengthens their capacity to positively direct their own lives.

JAMLAC is currently seeking interested applicants for a full-time Bilingual Immigration Attorney. The job is open immediately. JAMLAC is prepared to hire an exceptionally qualified candidate as soon as possible. This is a grant funded position.

JAMLAC’s immigration legal practice includes comprehensive, full-service direct representation before USCIS and the immigration courts (EOIR). This position will be trained and work on cases before USCIS on affirmative application, including family-based petitions, humanitarian applications (i.e., asylum, U Visa, VAWA, SIJS), and Naturalization.

Candidates for this position should be passionate about providing excellent services to clients with compassion and integrity. 

Required Skills and Experience
  • Active, good-standing license to practice law in at any U.S. State and a Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school
  • 1-2 years experience working in immigration law
  • Fluent in Spanish and English
  • Experience working with victims of crime and other indigent individuals
  • Desire to stand up for the rights of victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking, including noncitizen victims
  • Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office and ability to learn Clio (Case Management Software)

Litigation and Representation Responsibilities

  • Full representation, including entry of appearance, on immigration benefit applications before USCIS, EOIR and other agencies as necessary; including, but not limited to, VAWA self-petitions, U visa applications, SIJS applications (Special Immigrant Juvenile Status), DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), Naturalization applications, employment authorization, asylum applications (limited to those related to domestic violence and/or sexual assault), cancellation of removal and/or other defenses before the immigration court, and other civil immigration matters, as needed by client.
  • Participation in weekly review of client intakes and review of active cases with Supervising Attorney.
  • Initial consultation, including discussion regarding attorney/client privilege and confidentiality; advises clients on legal rights and responsibilities including victim’s rights under the Colorado Victim Rights Act & Colorado Victim Compensation.
  • Guidance for clients on collection of supporting documents required for various immigration applications.
  • Assistance drafting requisite victim personal statement, as needed.
  • Prepare client and attend court hearings with client, USCIS interviews, and other immigration agency related interviews.
  • Ensure all immigration applications and paperwork are complete, detailed and timely filed.
  • Update immigration case management list, including status updates; filing deadlines and overall progression of immigration cases.
  • Participate in an in-person orientation on grant deliverables and project-related expectations with JAMLAC Director and Supervising Attorney.
  • Participate in professional development training courses aimed at enhancing abilities to provide crime victims with civil legal services, which will be in-person, via webinar, or conference call.
  • Work with immigration paralegals, legal assistants, interns and volunteers providing support on immigration cases.
  • Work with paralegals, legal assistants and victim advocate to ensure clients have access to additional support services. Directs clients to community resources/service providers and pro bono representation for non-immigration legal issues in furtherance of goal to provide holistic legal services.
  • Participate in JAMLAC Workshops as needed; work with Workshop Coordinator and Immigration Department to assist workshop participants with immigration applications; conduct community trainings for workshop participants as appropriate.
  • Participate in collaborative relationships, including attendance at meetings relating to partnerships/collaborations; Coordinate with other JAMLAC staff to strengthen collaborative relationships throughout the Denver Metro service area.
  • Coordinate with community organizations to provide legal services and expand legal services to additional victims in the Denver Metro service area.
  • Assist and provide educational presentations to victim services organization and other community organizations as assigned.

General Expectations

  • Must be a team player with a collaborative style of leadership.
  • Must understand, support, and be willing and able to integrate JAMLAC’s vision, mission and values both personally and professionally.
  • Appropriate office attire/business casual.
  • Appropriate conduct with clients (confidentiality, respect, courtesy, concern)
  • Compliance with Rules of Professional Conduct.
  • Maintain personal work time sheets.
  • Assist with front desk coverage including answering phones/office reception, as needed.
  • Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Leadership and Management Responsibilities

  • Attend weekly JAMLAC staff meetings and other staff retreats/meetings as appropriate.
  • Meet regularly and build positive relationships with JAMLAC key leadership including the JAMLAC Director, Immigration Director, Associate Director, Development Director, paralegals, JAMLAC Victim Advocate, and Navigator.
  • Manage paralegals working on your cases.
  • Learn and maintain JAMLAC’s systems of operation and work to improve office procedures where appropriate.
  • Actively engage with and energize JAMLAC volunteers, Board Members, and partner organizations as assigned by JAMLAC Leadership Team.
  • Speak at community and church functions as appropriate.
  • Participate in JAMLAC team building activities.

Grant Management Responsibilities

  • Serve as point person in gathering data necessary for financial and narrative quarterly, semiannual and annual reports to funding sources. Write and submit timely accurate reports in accordance with reporting parameters.
  • Collaborate with JAMLAC’s development department to strategize and explore future development and donor opportunities.

Salary and Benefits
Salary ranges from $70,000 to $80,000 depending on education and experience. This is a grant funded position. We provide a generous benefits package, including:

  • 75% contribution toward Medical Insurance premiums for employees and dependents along with a generous monthly Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution
  • A monthly stipend of $500/month for individuals and $1,000 for employees with dependents (if Medical Insurance is waived)
  • Access to optional group Vision and Dental Benefits
  • 401K savings plan with annual employer contribution available after one year of employment
  • Generous Vacation Time and Sick Leave, plus over 14 paid holidays and December holiday closure at full pay
  • Flexible and hybrid work schedules
  • Emphasis on self-care and well-being, including additional time off for self-care and reimbursement for therapy sessions

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About the Company

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Justice and Mercy Legal Aid Center