Description

Justice for all Immigrants (“JFAI”) is seeking to hire a Staff Attorney to provide legal support in our San Antonio office. The Staff Attorney is responsible for the provision of high quality immigration legal services to immigrants in the Greater San Antonio area and will primarily focus on work related to unaccompanied children. The Staff Attorney will also work to promote community education and advocacy on behalf of immigrants. The Staff Attorney should be capable of working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment where collaboration is important. The Staff Attorney will report to the Managing Attorney.

About JFAI

JFAI is a non-profit immigration legal service provider that offers immigration legal services to low-income immigrants and refugees in the Houston, San Antonio, and Corpus Christi regions. JFAI is an independent non-profit organization that provides legal services to clients of all faiths and backgrounds. JFAI is a member of the National Immigration Law & Justice (ILJ) network, a national non-profit dedicated to providing quality immigration legal services throughout the nation.

Responsibilities

The Staff Attorney in the Unaccompanied Children Program provides direct immigration legal services to unaccompanied children. The Staff Attorney will be expected to work alongside support staff who will assist in providing these services. The Staff Attorney also participates in legal intake, efforts to raise community awareness, serves as a source of legal education for immigrants, and engages in immigrant rights advocacy. The primary responsibilities are as follows:

● Develop and maintain a reasonable caseload

● Oversee assigned caseload involving the legal needs of unaccompanied children

● Conduct consultations and screen unaccompanied children to ascertain immigration relief

● Provide legal counsel and advice to clients and assist eligible clients in preparing immigration petitions and applications

● Provide representation for clients in state and immigration courts, including matters and proceedings before USCIS, the Asylum Office, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, agencies within the Department of Homeland Security, and others as necessary

● Compile and analyze programmatic statistical information for progress reports

● Contribute to the public education and advocacy efforts carried out by JFAI

● Perform other duties as assigned

● Provide high quality, client-centered legal representation for unaccompanied children

● Participate in community outreach presentations to immigrant and non-immigrant audiences, as needed

● Engage with stakeholders, including the legal community, funders, and public officials

● Collaborate with local partners and agencies to conduct outreach events, as needed

● Participate in case review meetings as necessary with attorneys and supporting staff

● Review current case law and regulatory changes, consult with clients and staff about such changes, and attend immigration-related conferences, meetings, and trainings as needed.

Qualifications

● J.D. from an accredited law school and be admitted to a state bar, preferably Texas;

● Strong commitment to public interest legal service and to the enfranchisement and empowerment of immigrant communities;

● Ability to work with and be sensitive to the needs of children;

● At least one year’s experience (preferred, but not required) representing clients in proceedings before the Department of Homeland Security, Executive Office of Immigration Review, and/or the Board of Immigration Appeals;

● Ability to handle reasonable caseload providing direct representation to clients;

● Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail;

● Excellent legal analysis, written, and oral advocacy skills;

● Ability to work collaboratively in a team-based environment;

● English/Spanish fluency is preferred (written, spoken, and comprehension);

● Ability to work sensitively with people having diverse personalities, lifestyles, cultures and faiths.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $65,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Language:

• Spanish (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Bar (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• San Antonio, TX 78207: Relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in San Antonio, TX 78207