Associate Attorney - Criminal Defense & Crimmigration

About the Firm

Michael Brooks-Jiménez, P.C. is an Oklahoma City-based immigration and criminal defense law firm committed to serving our community with excellence, integrity, and cultural competency. Known throughout the region as “abogados de la comunidad,” we have built our reputation on aggressive advocacy at every stage of the legal process. Our practice spans removal defense, T visas, SIJS, DACA, family-based immigration, federal habeas corpus litigation, criminal defense, workers’ compensation, personal injury, and civil matters including name changes and guardianships. We operate as a high-performance team with both in-office and virtual staff, and we hold ourselves — and the people we hire — to a high standard.

Position Overview

We are looking for a bilingual Associate Attorney with a strong foundation in criminal defense and a working knowledge of the immigration consequences of criminal activity. This is not a sit-and-wait role. We need a self-starter — a hustler — who is hungry to grow, willing to put in the work, and committed to taking the criminal defense department to the next level. This attorney will lead the department, managing both an active caseload and a team of paralegals and support staff, while also contributing to the firm’s marketing efforts and public presence. We are abogados de la comunidad, and that is not just a tagline — it is a commitment. The right candidate lives it too: showing up, getting involved, and being a recognizable, trusted presence in the communities we serve. We are willing to train the right candidate — but the right candidate already has the drive, the discipline, and the instinct this work demands.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage an active criminal defense caseload across state and federal courts, including felonies, misdemeanors, DUIs, and expungements
• Handle civil matters including name changes, guardianships, and habeas corpus petitions as assigned
• Analyze criminal charges and plea agreements for immigration consequences, including inadmissibility, deportability, and eligibility bars to relief
• Advise clients and co-counsel on crimmigration implications before any plea or trial strategy is finalized
• Lead and supervise the criminal defense department, including paralegals and support staff, ensuring quality, accountability, and efficient case progression
• Conduct in-person client consultations in English and Spanish with clarity, professionalism, and cultural sensitivity
• Travel to various counties throughout Oklahoma for court appearances and client representation
• Appear in hearings, arraignments, pre-trial conferences, and trials as assigned
• Actively collaborate with the marketing department, including creating social media content, participating in firm campaigns, and serving as a visible face of the firm’s criminal defense practice
• Represent the firm in the community — attending events, building relationships, and staying visible and engaged with the people we serve; community presence is not optional, it is part of the job
• Collaborate with the immigration team when cases require a dual-track strategy
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation in the firm’s case management systems
• Contribute to firm-wide training, process development, and continuous improvement efforts

Qualifications

Required:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school
• Active Oklahoma Bar license in good standing (or eligibility for admission by motion)
• Minimum one (1) year of criminal defense experience, including courtroom experience
• Fluency in English and Spanish — written and spoken proficiency is non-negotiable
• Basic understanding of the intersection between criminal law and immigration consequences (crimmigration)
• Proven ability to manage competing deadlines and a high-volume caseload with precision
• Strong communication skills and a client-centered approach

Preferred:

• Experience in both criminal defense and immigration law
• Familiarity with Padilla v. Kentucky and related crimmigration jurisprudence
• Prior supervisory, department lead, or team management experience
• Experience representing Spanish-speaking clients in underserved communities
• Comfort with social media content creation and digital marketing in a legal context
• Reliable transportation and willingness to travel throughout Oklahoma for court
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, high-accountability environment where initiative is expected

What We Offer

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• A collaborative, mission-driven firm culture where contributions are recognized and rewarded
• The opportunity to practice at the intersection of criminal defense and immigration law in a firm with a strong crimmigration reputation
• A clear path to grow into a senior leadership role
• Direct access to firm leadership and meaningful mentorship

How to Apply

Submit a resume and cover letter with your application. A writing sample (preferably a motion or brief from a criminal matter) will be required if selected for an interview. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. We are looking for attorneys who can articulate not just their credentials, but why this work matters to them and why they are the right fit for this firm.

Michael Brooks-Jiménez, P.C. is an equal opportunity employer. We are proud to serve a diverse community and are committed to building a team that reflects the people we represent.