Lucha Staff Attorney, Americans for Immigrant Justice
Americans for Immigrant Justice (AI Justice), a not-for-profit law firm founded in 1996 to protect
and promote the basic human rights of immigrants, has a multicultural and a multilingual staff.
AI Justice has represented clients from around the world and is recognized as a powerful
advocate and national leader for immigrants' rights. AI Justice works closely with traditional civil
rights organizations as well as with grassroots organizations and local, state and national
government officials to effect positive change in immigration policies. Founded in 1997, AI
Justice’s Lucha Program provides free legal representation to immigrant survivors of domestic
violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. The Lucha team confronts challenges faced by
immigrant survivors through a combination of direct services and systemic advocacy. Lucha
also plays a pivotal role in educating law enforcement and other government agencies at the
local, state, and national levels about how to effectively support immigrant survivors of abuse
and trafficking.
Position:
Americans for Immigrant Justice (AI Justice) seeks an immigration attorney to provide direct
legal representation to immigrant survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human
trafficking before the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service, the Immigration Court (EOIR),
and the Board of Immigration Appeals.
Responsibilities:
- Interview potential clients, determine income eligibility, and develop an assessment of the legal merit of their claims and the appropriateness for representation by AI Justice.
- Effectively manage a large caseload, including VAWA, U-visa, T-visa, & Removal, Defense, using online case management tools.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge on changes in immigration law and procedures.
- Maintain current and detailed case management records. Conduct outreach efforts and maintain relationships with domestic violence and human trafficking providers, governmental agencies, law enforcement officials, and community-based organizations.
- Educate and provide technical assistance to community partners concerning immigration. issues affecting survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.
- Represent AI Justice's Lucha Program at community and coalition meetings.
- Work closely with community partners to ensure clients’ holistic needs are met.
- Work closely with the assigned Lucha paralegal to execute the duties above.
- Perform other job-related duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- Must be an active member in good standing of any State Bar. Applicants who have not been admitted to any bar will not be considered.
- Fully bilingual, including reading and writing, in English and Spanish is required.
- Two to three years of experience providing immigration legal services to low-income individuals preferred.
- Experience with humanitarian immigration relief (VAWA, U-visas, and T-visas) strongly preferred.
- Experience working with survivors of trauma preferred.
- Experience training legal and social service advocates preferred.
- Excellent analytical and organizational skills.
- Excellent written and oral advocacy skills.
- Ability to work independently and under pressure.
- Excellent time management skills.
- Enthusiastic about and committed to working alongside people from diverse cultural, educational, professional, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
- A demonstrated belief in diversity, inclusion, and equity for all individuals.
- Comfortable working in a collaborative environment that values giving and receiving feedback.
- Must have own transportation.
- Must be willing to submit to an extensive background check, including FBI, statewide repository, and sex offender registry checks.
How to apply:
Please email your resume, cover letter, and three references in PDF format, using the subject line "LUCHA PROGRAM STAFF ATTORNEY" to info@aijustice.org