Staff Attorney

Staff Attorney: Las Cruces

This position will provide direct representation to individuals in Las Cruces and Southern New Mexico seeking assistance with humanitarian forms of immigration relief such as asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), U-visas, T- visas and VAWA self-petitions. It will provide both affirmative and defensive representation, including representation of individuals in detention in New Mexico and the El Paso area. This position will also support NMILC's advocacy efforts, collaborate with community partners, participate in legal clinics and support the growth of NMILC's programming in Southern New Mexico.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Provide direct legal representation to NMILC clients in affirmative immigration matters, removal proceedings, and related matters before USCIS, immigration courts, state courts, and administrative agencies.
• Conduct legal research; develop case strategies; interview clients; prepare and file applications, motions, pleadings, and other legal documents; and appear in court and agency proceedings.
• Represent detained and non-detained individuals in removal proceedings before the immigration court.
• Place appropriate cases with contract and pro bono counsel, and provide ongoing mentorship, training, and technical assistance as needed.
• Help develop, implement, and regularly staff in-person legal clinics serving immigrants in Southern New Mexico.
• Build and maintain relationships with community stakeholders, including legal and immigrant-service providers, government officials, bar associations, law enforcement, and advocacy organizations.
• Support legal training, outreach, and advocacy initiatives, including contributing subject-matter expertise to training materials.
• Participate in the shared operations of NMILC's Las Cruces office, including office coverage, greeting visitors and walk-ins, mail handling, administrative support, staff meetings, and office events.
• Work regularly in person at the Las Cruces office. The schedule will be coordinated with the Senior Attorney and Las Cruces team and may change based on operational, staffing, and program needs.
• Maintain accurate, complete case-management data through regular case audits, timely data entry, and proficient use of NMILC's case-management systems.
• Keep the supervisor informed of program developments, administrative needs, service-delivery gaps, challenges, and opportunities; collaborate on practical solutions.
• Identify legal advocacy and client-service needs in coordination with NMILC staff and community partners.
• Represent NMILC at stakeholder meetings, trainings, conferences, community events, and other outreach activities.
• Travel throughout Southern New Mexico and the El Paso area for legal clinics, meetings, trainings, and events; occasional overnight travel may be required.

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school and admitted to local state bar (if not admitted to local state bar, must sit for bar exam or start waiver to be admitted within 6 months and be able to be admitted within one year of employment).
• Proficient in Spanish
• Ability to work effectively with people of diverse backgrounds, lived experiences, and communication styles.
• Showing the ability to multi-task and work with a sense of urgency when needed in a dynamic, fast paced environment.
• Committed to practicing and supporting wellbeing and a work-home life balance.
• Experience working and communicating in a remote or hybrid work environment.
• The ability to provide trauma-informed and culturally competent legal assistance to crime victims/survivors.
• Strong skills in legal research, analysis, and writing.
• The ability to work collaboratively with different program staff and partner organizations to further develop community relationships and facilitate holistic and wraparound services.
• Valid driver's license or reliable transportation to attend in-person meetings, court hearings and other required events.
• Ability to reliably report to NMILC's Las Cruces office on a regular basis to fulfill office-coverage, client-service, and operational responsibilities.

Salary and Benefits

This is a full-time position. Salary is competitive for our field and geographic area and is commensurate with experience. Starting annual salary for the Staff Attorney position is $ 73,320 with upward adjustments for additional years of relevant experience.

• NMILC currently offers a generous benefits package, including:
• 100% of Individual Employee Health Premium paid by NMILC for the Base Plan and 50% for dependents. Buy-up Plan also available.
• Access to a 401K plan and discretionary employer match up to 10% of base salary (determined each fiscal year based on funding projections).
• Optional Flexible Spending Account for pre-tax funds for medical and/or dependent care cost.
• Benefits may be subject to change at any time based on changes to the organization's budget.

NMILC also recognizes the value of creating an environment of positive work/life balance, acknowledging that investing in staff's ability to take care of themselves and their families enables them to do their best work. The plan currently includes:

• Flexible work schedule and hybrid remote work options. This position requires regular in-person work at NMILC's Las Cruces office to support office coverage, client services, and day-to-day operations.
• 15 paid vacation days (3 weeks) annually
• 1 earned sick leave hour for every 30 hours worked
• Company-paid federal holidays in addition to 2 weeks of winter break, 1 week for spring break, and 1 week for summer break, and other days as established in coordination with the local public school schedule

Location: This position is based in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and follows NMILC's hybrid remote/in-person work model. Regular in-person work at the Las Cruces office is required. The schedule will be determined in coordination with the supervisor and local team and may change in response to operational needs.