Removal Defense Immigration Attorney

Organization: Alonso & Alonso Attorneys at Law PLLC Reports To: Managing Attorney Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt Location: Texas Essential Responsibilities and Duties Client Advocacy & Representation * Develop comprehensive legal defense strategies designed to protect clients from removal and maximize opportunities for immigration relief. * Represent clients in defensive immigration matters including, but not limited to:

• Removal Proceedings
• Master Calendar Hearings
• Individual Merits Hearings
• Bond Hearings
• Asylum
• Withholding of Removal
• Convention Against Torture (CAT)
• Cancellation of Removal
• Motions to Reopen
• Motions to Reconsider
• Appeals before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA)
• ICE Representation
• Prosecutorial Discretion Requests
• Deferred Action Requests
• Humanitarian Relief

○ VAWA

• U Visas
• T Visas

○ SIJS

* Conduct comprehensive legal consultations and evaluate all available forms of immigration relief. * Represent clients before EOIR Immigration Courts and related government agencies. * Prepare clients for court appearances, testimony, witness examinations, and evidentiary hearings. * Advocate zealously on behalf of clients during contested immigration proceedings. * Maintain proactive communication regarding case strategy, court schedules, legal risks, and case progression. * Build trusting relationships with clients through compassionate representation and exceptional client service. * Maintain the highest standards of legal ethics, professionalism, confidentiality, and advocacy. Case Preparation & Management * Prepare, review, and file motions, briefs, appeals, asylum applications, declarations, supporting evidence, legal memoranda, and other litigation-related filings. * Conduct extensive legal research regarding immigration statutes, regulations, federal court decisions, EOIR precedent decisions, and evolving agency guidance. * Develop customized litigation strategies tailored to each client's circumstances.

• Prepare witnesses for testimony and coordinate supporting evidence.
• Review case files for legal sufficiency and evidentiary completeness.
• Maintain organized litigation files and accurate case documentation.
• Monitor court deadlines, filing deadlines, hearing schedules, detention

status, and government correspondence. * Collaborate closely with legal assistants, paralegals, case managers, and fellow attorneys throughout the litigation process. * Participate in continuing legal education and litigation strategy training. Team Collaboration & Leadership * Collaborate with attorneys on complex litigation strategy and removal defense matters.

• Participate in legal case reviews and trial preparation meetings.
• Mentor legal support staff regarding removal defense procedures and court

preparation.

• Assist junior attorneys in developing courtroom advocacy skills.
• Share legal knowledge and best practices across the litigation team.
• Support firm-wide initiatives focused on legal excellence, innovation, and

client advocacy. * Foster a collaborative, respectful, and high-performing legal environment aligned with the firm's mission and values. Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Active Bar License in good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• Ability to practice before EOIR Immigration Courts and USCIS.
• Strong knowledge of removal defense procedures, immigration statutes, and

federal immigration regulations. * Excellent courtroom advocacy, legal writing, legal research, and oral argument skills.

• Strong analytical reasoning and litigation strategy development.
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage a complex

litigation caseload.

• Ability to work effectively under strict court deadlines.
• Commitment to client advocacy, professionalism, and ethical legal practice.
• Willingness to travel throughout Texas for Immigration Court proceedings,

detention facilities, client meetings, and community events. Preferred Qualifications

• Two (2) or more years of immigration litigation experience.
• Demonstrated experience handling removal defense matters from initiation

through final disposition. * Experience representing clients before EOIR Immigration Courts. * Experience conducting:

• Master Calendar Hearings
• Individual Hearings
• Bond Hearings
• Asylum Hearings
• Cancellation of Removal Proceedings
• BIA Appeals
• Motions to Reopen
• Motions to Reconsider

• Experience appearing before USCIS and ICE.
• Experience preparing complex litigation filings.
• Experience managing high-volume removal defense caseloads.
• Bilingual English and Spanish strongly preferred.
• Experience using Litify or comparable immigration case management software.
• Demonstrated ability to manage emotionally sensitive and high-risk legal

matters with professionalism and empathy. Core Competencies Litigation Advocacy: Provide exceptional courtroom representation while protecting client rights throughout removal proceedings. Strategic Legal Analysis: Develop innovative legal strategies utilizing statutes, regulations, case law, and agency guidance. Courtroom Communication: Present persuasive legal arguments through effective oral advocacy and written submissions. Client Counseling: Guide clients through complex and emotionally difficult legal proceedings with empathy and professionalism. Organization: Successfully manage multiple active litigation matters while consistently meeting court deadlines. Collaboration: Partner effectively with attorneys, legal assistants, paralegals, interpreters, and litigation support teams. Professional Judgment: Exercise exceptional legal judgment while maintaining the highest standards of ethics and confidentiality. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Legal Filing Accuracy: Maintain 98% or greater accuracy on all legal filings, motions, briefs, and supporting documentation. Hearing Preparedness: Ensure 100% of clients are fully prepared at least 48 hours prior to scheduled court hearings. Court Deadline Compliance: Meet 100% of court filing deadlines and litigation milestones. Client Communication: Respond to client inquiries within one business day whenever reasonably possible. Client Satisfaction: Maintain an average client satisfaction score of 90% or greater. Case Outcomes: Maintain favorable litigation outcomes aligned with departmental performance goals and legal standards. Litigation Coordination: Complete 95% or greater of litigation support tasks within established timelines. Professional Development: Complete all required CLE requirements while actively participating in firm-sponsored litigation training and attorney development initiatives. Work Environment & Schedule

• Full-Time, Exempt Position.
• This position generally follows standard business hours while maintaining

professional flexibility to accommodate court schedules, detention visits, emergency hearings, and client needs.

• Position based in Texas.
• Regular travel throughout Texas is required for Immigration Court

appearances, detention facility visits, client meetings, legal clinics, and firm-sponsored events.

• Occasional overnight travel may be required.
• Fast-paced, collaborative, mission-driven litigation environment dedicated to

protecting the rights of immigrant families. Benefits Alonso & Alonso Attorneys at Law offers a competitive and comprehensive total rewards package designed to support your health, financial security, professional growth, and work-life balance. Benefits are reviewed annually and may be modified at the Firm’s discretion. Health & Wellness * 100% Employer-Paid Medical Insurance Premium (Employee Coverage) The Firm currently covers 100% of employee medical plan premiums, providing access to quality healthcare without employee premium contribution.

• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Employer-Paid Life Insurance
• Short-Term Disability Coverage
• Mental Health Support and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Dedicated Benefits Support Team

Enhanced Wellness Resources

• Healthy Pregnancies Program
• Cigna Healthy Rewards® – Discounts on fitness, nutrition, hearing, and vision

services * RecoveryOne for Cigna – Personalized musculoskeletal programs with licensed physical therapists and health coaches at no additional cost * Omada Health Program – Support for Type 2 Diabetes and heart disease prevention and management

• Foodsmart Nutrition Program – Access to personal nutrition experts
• Amplifon Hearing Healthcare – Hearing-care savings and support
• Gym membership discounts
• Discounted HelloFresh subscription

Financial Security & Retirement

• 401(k) with 3% Employer-Funded Contribution
• Employer-Paid Life Insurance
• Short-Term Disability Coverage

Professional Growth

• Continuing Education Allowance
• Opportunities to participate in and potentially lead in-house Texas State

Bar-approved Continuing Legal Education programs, fostering professional growth and subject-matter expertise

• Professional Development Opportunities
• Ongoing Immigration Law Training and Mentorship
• Removal Defense and Immigration Litigation Training
• Opportunities to develop advanced expertise in EOIR practice, appellate

advocacy, detention matters, and complex humanitarian relief Time Off & Leave

• Generous Paid Time Off
• Firm-recognized holidays
• Fully Paid New Parent Leave
• Unlimited PTO beginning at the three-year anniversary

Physical Demands The team member is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, communicate, and use their hands to perform work-related tasks. The position may require extended periods of computer use, legal research, document review, client communication, courtroom preparation, and travel. Occasional lifting of files, exhibits, records, and office materials weighing up to 10 pounds may be required. The attorney must be able to travel by vehicle or air throughout Texas and access immigration courts, detention facilities, government offices, client meeting locations, and firm facilities as required. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable law. Equal Opportunity Employment Statement Alonso & Alonso Attorneys at Law is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal, state, or local law. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, performance, organizational needs, and business requirements.