Senior Attorney, Asylum Project NIJC

About NIJC The National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) advances human rights and due process for immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers through direct legal services, impact litigation, advocacy, and public education. Headquartered in Chicago with offices in Washington, DC, Indiana, and San Diego, NIJC's team of over 100 attorneys, paralegals, and professionals, along with 2,000 pro bono attorneys, is at the forefront of immigration reform. Job Summary Attorneys in NIJC's Asylum Project represent detained and non-detained asylum seekers, especially those facing removal. Successful candidates will work independently and collaboratively, locally and nationally, demonstrating meticulous attention to detail, clear communication, and effective time management. The Senior Attorney advocates for clients in complex cases before administrative and service agencies as needed, leads special initiatives and collaboration with other departments, and supervises attorneys, paralegals, coordinators, fellows, and interns. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Conduct preliminary intake interview, gather all relevant facts, and make legal assessments. Assess income eligibility and make appropriate referrals for those individuals not eligible for Organization services. Develop and implement complex case strategies in consultation with supervisor. Prepare cases for interview or hearing, including drafting legal papers, conducting client advocacy, presenting evidence, etc., in accordance with the Code of Professional Responsibility for the legal profession. Carry a volume of work as required by the department. Supervise attorneys, coordinators, and paralegals as required by the department's needs. Assist pro se noncitizens in the asylum process through workshops and one‑on‑one service provision. Have in‑depth knowledge of legal and other resources. Provide technical support to NIJC staff and pro‑bono counsel assigned to complex NIJC cases, as needed. Remain current on immigration law, policies and procedures, and on implications of criminal and civil law as it applies to the representation of immigrants. Develop and maintain professional relationships with EOIR, DHS, U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS), government and social service organizations and community organizations as necessary. Interpret immigration and department policies and programs to the public, including public speaking and media interviews in conjunction with NIJC's communications team. Maintain complete and accurate client records. Prepare timely statistical reports. Conduct quarterly case audits for presentation and review of the supervisor. Participate in training on immigration procedures as assigned by the supervisor. May conduct training sessions and develop materials. Identify trends and recurring legal and social concerns. Recommend strategies for solutions and other needed advocacy. Develop internal procedures and best practices and implement those procedures within the project. Participate in periodic evaluative reviews and/or in‑house and external staff training to ensure that the employee understands and continues to adhere to such standards. Advance an anti‑radical organization that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion. React to change productively and handle other essential duties as assigned. Qualifications Education and/or Experience: A law degree (JD), license to practice law, and a minimum of two years' experience with a preference in immigration and/or human rights law; self‑motivated and committed to civil liberties advocacy; ability to represent individuals in complex cases and to formulate and implement sophisticated legal strategies; demonstrated ability to work cooperatively on a variety of projects with lawyers, other staff members, and diverse community organizations and coalitions. Language Skills: This position requires regular communication with clients in Spanish. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written Spanish. Excellent writing and analytical skills; ability to communicate effectively in legal and non‑legal settings with a wide range of individuals and organizations; ability to read, analyze, and interpret professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations; ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals; ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the public. Reasoning Ability: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Computer Skills: Proficient in Microsoft 365. How to Apply Your resume A compelling cover letter that includes the following: Why you are interested in this specific role and in working for NIJC How your unique skills and experience will enable you to make a significant impact on our team and help us achieve our mission. A specific, brief example of a project or accomplishment from your past that best demonstrates your relevant qualifications. Please contact View email address on click.appcast.io if you encounter any issues with your application. Physical Abilities Statement Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time. The person in this position occasionally needs to move about the inside of the office to access filing cabinets, office machinery, etc. Constantly operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a copy machine. It is the policy of NIJC not to discriminate against any applicant for employment, or any employee because of age, color, sex, disability, national origin, race, religion, or veteran status. By submitting your application, you acknowledge and consent to undergo a comprehensive background check as part of the employment process. This background check will be conducted in compliance with applicable state and federal laws. #J-18808-Ljbffr