Immigration Rapid Response Attorney Fellow

Immigration Rapid Response Attorney Fellow

Position Type: Temporary Full-Time Exempt

Location: Minneapolis, MN 55403

Introduction:

MMLA is seeking two dedicated individuals to be part of our dynamic team. If you’re ready to contribute your skills and compassion to meaningful work, we invite you to explore this exciting opportunity.

The successful candidates will work fully in the office during the training period to ensure comprehensive onboarding and integration into our processes. Upon completion of training, a hybrid work model will be offered, allowing for a mix of in-office and remote work.

What’s in it for you?

• We believe in work-life harmony. This role offers the flexibility to blend remote work with in-office collaboration.

• On Fridays, the office closes at noon and employees enjoy a half-day of paid flex time.

• MMLA provides on-the-job training and mentorship, with opportunities for growth within the organization.

• This position is a one-year fellowship. Allowing new attorneys the opportunity to quickly gain hands on experience to jump start a career in immigration law. Two positions will be filled with this posting.

Why MMLA?

• We’re not just ticking boxes. We’re genuinely committed to diversity. Bring your unique identity, experiences, and perspectives—we want them all!

• Our mission? Equal justice for all. In your cover letter, tell us how your background can amplify this cause. Let’s change our lives together.

• Discrimination and harassment have no place here. We’re building a respectful, supportive workplace where everyone thrives.

• Diversity, equity and inclusion are core values for Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, and it is critical that we incorporate these values into all aspects of our work. We recognize the particular and highly detrimental impact of racism — and of Minnesota’s racial disparities — on MMLA’s clients and staff. We, therefore, devote special attention to issues of racial justice.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Provide legal assistance to clients in Immigration Law, with a specific focus on people in removal proceedings.

• Conduct legal research, draft legal documents, and represent clients in immigration court.

• Conduct legal screening, advice, and brief services to individuals held in immigration detention facilities.

• Provide consultations, advice, and brief services to individuals at community-based legal clinics.

• Present Know Your Rights and other community outreach and educational presentations.

• Advocate for clients’ rights and ensure access to justice.

Required Qualifications:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

• Dedication to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) principles.

• Must be a licensed J.D. in any jurisdiction

• Prior immigration law experience, especially in removal defense, whether as a student or practicing attorney

• Must be able to attend in person legal clinics once a week at community-based organization

• Must be able to pass background check and enter county jail facilities to visit with detained individuals

Preferred Qualifications:

• Second language proficiency, especially in Spanish or another language relevant to the immigrant populations we serve, strongly preferred.

• Ability to start June 1st or as close as possible thereafter.

• Prior immigration court experience or other courtroom/litigation experience preferred.

• Work, volunteer, or lived experience with diverse economic, social, rural, and/or cultural communities.

Compensation Information:

• $80,000 to $84,363 depending on experience, plus benefits. Benefits include family medical and dental insurance, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, 403(b) with employer match, FSA, employee assistance programs, and generous paid time off.

• Salary Determination: Salary is based on relevant prior experience and aligned with our organizational salary matrix. Candidates are placed on the schedule according to years of directly related experience to ensure consistency and equity.

• Language Proficiency Credit: For client-facing roles (e.g., attorneys, legal assistants, intake staff), fluency in a relevant non-English language or ASL may count as one additional year of experience. Fluency must be certified at Intermediate High or above, with sufficient oral and written skills to perform all job duties without an interpreter. Assessment is conducted by an external testing service.

• Language Requirement (if applicable): If a role requires fluency in a specific language or ASL, candidates must achieve a certified rating of Intermediate High or above in both oral and written communication. Offers are contingent on meeting this standard; failure to do so may result in withdrawal of the offer.

Application Submission:

• Interested applicants should submit their resume, cover letter, and references at https://mylegalaid.org/employment/ by 04/30/2026.

If the above link directed you to our Career Page and you do not see the correct posting, we have paused or ended the application submission window.

If you require a reasonable accommodation for completing this application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in our employee selection process, please contact Megan Cook at mcook@mylegalaid.org.

Please direct all other inquiries to hiring@mylegalaid.org.

Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid is an Equal Opportunity employer. The terms and conditions of employment, including wages, benefits, and job security, may vary based on union status. Positions within our organization may be governed by collective bargaining agreements and union representation, while others are not.