Associate Immigration Attorney

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title : Associate Immigration Attorney

Department : Legal

Reports To: Supervising Attorney

Status : Full-Time, Exempt

Salary : Salary Range: $70,000-$130,000 (commensurate experience)

Location: Falls Church, Virginia (Remote is possible commensurate experience)

Who We Are

Blessinger Legal PLLC is a boutique immigration law firm based in the Washington, DC metro area. We are dedicated to guiding individuals and families through the complex U.S. immigration system with care, integrity, and a high level of expertise. Our attorneys represent clients before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the Immigration Courts, the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Federal District Courts, and Federal Circuit Courts of Appeals.

Position Overview

We are seeking a passionate and driven Associate Immigration Attorney to join our growing legal team. The attorney will play a critical role representing clients in removal proceedings, applying for differing immigration visas and attending interviews at USCIS, and supporting federal litigation, depending on background and interest. The ideal candidate will have a strong commitment to advocacy, legal excellence, and creative problem-solving in support of immigrant communities. The ideal candidate will possess hands-on experience with a range of immigration law matters, or a proven ability to learn quickly and take on new case types with minimal ramp up time.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct client consultations for various clients on various applications and forms of relief applied with USCIS, including business immigration visas, and before the immigration courts.
• Review case filings and advise on case strategy.
• Research legal arguments and draft persuasive filings, briefs, and motions.
• Explore creative legal strategies and innovative case solutions.
• Prepare and file evidentiary submissions in support of relief.
• Prepare and file various immigration applications with supportive evidence including, but not limited to:
• Family based and Humanitarian Applications: I-130 family petitions, Adjustment of Status, I-751s, Naturalization, K fiancé visas, Affirmative Asylum, VAWA, T-visas, U-visas, I-360 (VAWA & SIJS), Waivers of Inadmissibility, and Employment Authorization.
• Business Applications: Applications for L visas, TN visas, O visas, P visas, H1B visas, PERM process, labor certifications, etc.
• Immigration Court Applications: Asylum, withholding of removal, Convention Against Torture (CAT), Cancellation of Removal (non-LPR and LPR), NACARA, and Adjustment of Status.
• Draft and review client affidavits.
• Represent clients before USCIS, the Department of State, the Department of Justice, the Asylum Office, and other immigration agencies.
• Represent non-detained and detained clients in removal proceedings at various Immigration Courts (in person and remotely) at various stages of the process including preliminary hearings, and final merits hearings.
• Draft appeals to the Board of Immigration Appeals and Administrative Appeals Office.
• State Court(s): If licensed in Maryland, Virginia, or DC, represent clients in state court for custody and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) findings.
• Supervise and mentor legal assistants, interns, and law clerks, as assigned.
• Participate in internal training and contribute to staff development.

Professional Competencies

Legal Skills

• Strong legal research and writing skills.
• Effective oral advocacy and courtroom presence.
• Experience with USCIS interviews, federal litigation, affirmative filings, and/or removal defense, preferred.
• Cultural humility and trauma-informed practice in client engagement.

Administrative Abilities

• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to manage own casework with minimal supervision.
• Commitment to high-quality client service and compliance with firm procedures.

Training & Support

• Comprehensive onboarding and legal training (live and recorded sessions).
• Annual CLE stipend.
• Supportive team environment with mentorship opportunities.

To Apply

Please submit the following materials:

• Cover letter (must address bar admission status, team preference, relevant experience to the team preference, Spanish fluency, driver’s license, and salary expectations)
• Resume
• Legal writing sample (maximum 10 pages), please include the file/link to your cover letter

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Position open until filled.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• J.D. from a U.S.-accredited law school.
• Admission to any state bar or the District of Columbia.
• Minimum of two years of experience practicing immigration or criminal law.
• Valid U.S. driver’s license.
• Proficient in Spanish.

Preferred Qualifications

• Licensed or eligible to practice in Maryland or Virginia.
• Criminal, federal litigation, or family law experience is a plus.
• Fluency in Spanish (oral and written).

Benefits

• Compensation & Benefits
• Competitive salary based on experience.
• Health and dental insurance through Blue Cross Blue Shield.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
• Two weeks paid time off (additional time may be approved with supervisor approval) and most federal holidays paid off.
• 401(k) with employer match (50% match up to 3% of salary).
• Reimbursement for one bar membership annually.