Staff Attorney

Staff Attorney

The International Institute of New England has a rapidly growing immigration legal services practice. We are searching for an energetic and committed Staff Attorney. The Staff Attorney will join a small team of committed individuals that provides high quality, immigration assistance to immigrants and refugees under the supervision of IINE's Director of Legal Services. IINE offers pro-bono and low-bono legal representation for Citizenship and Family/Humanitarian Immigration matters.

This role requires the Staff Attorney to maintain their own caseload, including screening clients for possible legal representation, gathering documentation, preparing case files, submitting applications to USCIS, and preparing and accompanying clients to USCIS interviews. The Staff Attorney will oversee 1-3 paralegals and/or administrative assistants. In addition, the department often has interns who may work with the Staff Attorney.

Responsibilities

• Perform client intake, gathering sufficient facts and information to assess eligibility for immigration relief.
• Provide immigration legal representation to individuals and families before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
• Provide quality legal services across all three IINE sites traveling between offices as needed.
• Monitor and maintain an organized caseload, including maintaining proper client files and documentary evidence required to prove eligibility for immigration relief.
• Conduct legal research as necessary.
• Work closely with IINE programmatic staff and partner community-based organizations to ensure that clients receive holistic service addressing their many needs beyond legal representation.
• Remain current in best practices in immigration legal services, participating in continuing legal education (CLEs) programs as appropriate.
• Take direction on all legal matters from the Director and Managing Attorney, adjusting schedule, client load, and other duties as directed to meet all deadlines and requirements for each client matter.
• Maintain and update case management database with relevant case information, detailed client case notes and changes to contact information.
• Achieve weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual forms completion and fee generation goals.
• All other duties assigned by supervisor/manager.

Administrative

• Responsible for updating case management systems with case notes, maintaining client files (physical and digital), and engaging in reconciliation activities with the finance department as needed.
• Assist with pulling relevant data for organizational reports and grant reports.
• Participate in legal providers meetings as directed by supervisor/manager.
• Identify processes and procedures that can help the immigration legal services teamwork more efficiently and effectively.
• Manage 1-3 Immigration Legal Services staff members.

Required Skills/Abilities

• Knowledge of immigration policies and regulations.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills – demonstrated ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to act independently and in a team setting.
• Willingness to learn as much as possible about immigration law, develop knowledge and experience, and contribute to the smooth operation of the immigration legal program at IINE.
• A strong sense of professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality.
• Effective communicator; should be comfortable working as part of a team and expressing innovative or critical ideas.
• Cooperative, friendly, and helpful attitude with clients and co-workers.
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Experience with CRMs (Docketwise) or other databases, or a demonstrated ability to learn new systems quickly.
• Strong writing skills (writing sample required).
• Professional and/or volunteer experience working directly with marginalized populations.
• Bilingual candidates preferred.

Education & Experience

• J.D. from an ABA accredited law school or international equivalent, and a current bar membership in good standing.
• Minimum of three years of experience in immigration law assisting clients with a range of immigration relief.
• Bilingual candidates preferred.

Work Environment Conditions

• Frequent interruptions from employees and clients- must have the ability to multi-task.
• Exposure to bright, overhead office lighting, use of office technology such as laptops, printers, mail machines, and other in-office equipment.
• Frequent trips to the mail room and/or Post Office required.
• Must have access to a car and auto insurance. Position requires travel to IINE's three offices, USCIS, and other locations in the Boston, Lowell, and Manchester areas.

Physical Demands

• Continuous sitting (or standing) at a desk for long periods of time.
• Occasional lifting, pushing, and pulling materials (boxes, equipment) of 50 pound.
• Occasional driving to IINE's three offices in Boston, Lowell, and Manchester.