The National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC), a program of Heartland Alliance, provides direct legal services to, and advocates for, immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers through policy reform, impact litigation, and public education. Since its founding more than three decades ago, NIJC has been unique in blending individual client advocacy with broad-based systemic change. Headquartered in Chicago with offices in Washington, DC, Indiana and San Diego, NIJC’s team of 100+ attorneys, paralegals and professionals, along with 2,000 pro bono attorneys, is at the forefront of immigration reform.

Position:

The Litigation Project Coordinator helps implement and support NIJC’s nationwide advocacy and litigation efforts. NIJC relies on federal court litigation to challenge erroneous agency level decisions, respond to heightened immigration enforcement, challenge immigration detention, and advocate for reform of the immigration system. As part of this program, the Coordinator, along with NIJC attorneys, will work with NIJC clients and diverse national partners to challenge human rights violations and wrongful immigration enforcement initiatives and policies to promote fairness in our nation’s immigration system. Travel may be required to carry out the program objectives. Please note this is not an attorney position.

Responsibilities:

• Draft affidavits, complete immigration applications, and collect evidence in support of an application;
• Conduct client intakes;
• Investigate factual basis of a potential appeal or district court action in collaboration with litigation attorneys;
• Work with attorneys to decipher, organize, and identify trends in data obtained under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA);
• Proofread, cite check, and format briefs for federal court filings;
• Become familiar with NIJC’s database and work with litigation staff to ensure proper case tracking procedures are used;
• Track federal litigation, both internal to NIJC and nationally at the Supreme Court level;
• Provide support to the pro bono component of the project; maintain pro bono assignments and activities in the database, write thank you notes and case summaries for possible case placement; and
• Troubleshoot across departments as issues arise.

Qualifications:

• Education and/or Experience: Bachelor’s degree and at least one year of experience in human rights field, legal and/or communications work required. Work done while the applicant was in school can be counted toward this requirement. This position may require experience with vulnerable populations.
• Language Skills: Fluency in English and Spanish is required. Individuals with fluency in a third language are highly encouraged to apply. Ability to effectively interview clients and engage in fact-gathering for advocacy or litigation in a fast-paced environment.
• Technical Skills: Fluency in Microsoft Office especially Word and Excel; Ability to maintain and organize large quantities of information in an electronic database
• Attention to detail and accuracy: Ability to competently and effectively communicate orally and in writing for a variety of audiences; Ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently
• Demonstrated commitment to immigrants’ rights/human rights
• Volunteer Management: Ability to train interns, to assist with projects, supervise work, and assign additional tasks on an as-needed basis
• Client Confidentiality: Ability to maintain client confidentiality, account for client monies, and avoid conflicts of interest in accordance with organizational policies and ethical standards required of the legal profession and the code of professional responsibility.

How to Apply:

For more information, or to apply, please click here.