Immigration Attorney (bilingual ENG / SPA)

Job Description

Newark, NJ | Full-Time | Hybrid | $80,000–$95,000 + Performance & Business Development Incentives

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Who we are and what we do

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Compass Immigration Law is a young and growing immigration law firm based in Newark, New Jersey.

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We represent individuals, families, and businesses in removal defense, family-based, humanitarian, and employment-based immigration matters.

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Why we do it

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Immigration law changes lives. Our clients come to us with their families, their businesses, their freedom, and their futures on the line. We have the privilege — and the responsibility — of helping them navigate some of the most consequential moments of their lives. We take that responsibility seriously. We fight for our clients. We care about the quality of our work. We go the extra mile when the situation calls for it. And we are building a firm where everyone takes pride and ownership in the work that carries our name.

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Who we are looking for

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We are looking for an Associate Attorney to join us. This is an important hire for us. We are not simply looking for another lawyer to handle files. We are looking for someone who wants to help us build something.

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We can teach you immigration law. We can improve your legal writing. We can work through difficult cases and strategy together. What we need from you is integrity, hunger, judgment, accountability, and pride in your work.

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In other words, if you're looking for a place where you can clock in, clear your assignments, and disappear, we're probably not the right firm for you. But if you care deeply about being an excellent lawyer, helping immigrants, and joining a young firm and helping build it, then we should talk.

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What we value

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There are a few things we care about deeply:

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Taking ownership: If something is yours, own it. Follow through. Be proactive, but ask for help when you need it - if you see a problem coming, raise it before it becomes an emergency.

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Care about the work: We are not an “immigration mill,” nor do we want to be. Rather, we pride ourselves in doing quality work.

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Be hungry: We want someone who actually wants to be an excellent immigration lawyer. Someone curious. Someone who wants the hearing, wants to understand the difficult issue, asks questions, researches, learns, and gets better.

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Be coachable — and coach us too: You will receive feedback here, but we also welcome yours. If your last firm did something better than we do, tell us. If we can improve our processes, tell us how. If you have a better idea, make the argument. We don't care whose idea wins. We care whether the firm gets better.

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Have each other's backs: We are a team. If someone is drowning, we help. If you make a mistake, say something. If someone else needs help, step in when you can. We protect our clients, our work, our reputation, and each other.

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What else we want from you

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• J.D. from an accredited law school;
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• Active bar admission and good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction – New Jersey preferred;
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• Fluency in Spanish;
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• Strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills;
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• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail;
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• Ability to manage deadlines reliably;
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• Strong communication and interpersonal skills;
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• Sound judgment;
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• Genuine interest in immigration law and the people we represent; and
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• Ability and willingness to attend court, interviews, client meetings, and other in-person matters in Newark and throughout the region as necessary.
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What You'll Do

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Depending on your experience, your responsibilities will include:

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• Represent clients before the EOIR in removal and bond proceedings;
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• Prepare petitions, applications, and represent clients before USCIS;
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• Develop case strategy for removal defense and affirmative immigration matters;
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• Prepare legal briefs, pre-hearing statements, appellate briefs, and legal memoranda;
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• Assist with matters before the Board of Immigration Appeals;
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• Prepare clients and witnesses for testimony, hearings, and interviews;
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• Research complex immigration issues and developing case law;
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• Communicate directly with clients and keep them informed about their cases;
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• Work closely with paralegals and other team members to move cases forward accurately and efficiently;
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• Monitor deadlines and take ownership of assigned matters;
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• Help improve the firm's processes, SOPs, technology, and workflows; and
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• Conduct consultations with potential clients.
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Schedule & Flexibility. This is a full-time professional position, not a clock-in/clock-out environment. The position is hybrid, and we offer meaningful flexibility when your responsibilities permit it. At the same time, immigration law does not always operate on a perfect schedule. Court appearances, filing deadlines, detained matters, client emergencies, or other case needs may occasionally require work outside normal business hours or on weekends.

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Why Join Compass?

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• Meaningful work. The cases we handle matter. You will represent people whose families, freedom, businesses, or ability to remain in the United States may depend on the work we do.
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• Increasing responsibility. As your skills grow, so can your position within the firm.
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• A voice in the firm. We want your ideas. If you learned something at another firm that we should be doing, tell us. If one of our systems does not work, challenge it. If you see an opportunity, bring it to us. We want you to grow and we want your help growing the firm.
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• Hybrid flexibility. Work from home when it makes sense, be there in person when it’s needed.
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• Financial upside. We want people who contribute to the growth of the firm to participate in that growth – in addition to the anticipated base salary, you'll have the opportunity to earn additional compensation based on performance and business development.
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Compensation

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The anticipated base salary for this position is $75,000–$95,000, based on qualifications.

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In addition to base compensation, you will have opportunities to earn additional compensation through:

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• Performance-based bonuses recognizing exceptional legal work, reliability, client service, initiative, teamwork, and meaningful contributions to the firm; and
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• Business development incentives for matters personally originated by the Associate and retained by the firm.
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We believe that if you help grow the firm, you should participate financially in that growth.

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To apply

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Send us your resume and a cover letter explaining why you are a good fit for the position at View email address on ziprecruiter.com.

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Compass Immigration Law is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider qualified applicants without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable law.