What are the responsibilities and job description for the National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) Senior Attorney, Know Your Rights position at National Immigrant Justice Center?

Job Description

About NIJC

The National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) advances human rights and due process for immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers through direct legal services, impact litigation, advocacy, and public education. Headquartered in Chicago with offices in Washington, DC; Goshen, Indiana; Indianapolis, Indiana; and San Diego, California, NIJC's team of 160 attorneys, paralegals, and professionals, along with 2,200 pro bono attorneys, is at the forefront of immigration reform.

Job Summary :

The senior Know Your Rights attorney position develops and modifies legal guidance for communities served by NIJC and coordinates and conducts in person and virtual Know Your Rights / Know Your Options presentations to community-based organizations and other partners, including immigrant serving groups. Immediately after the presentations, this position may conduct brief legal consultations. The senior attorney will establish and maintain relationships with community partners and set priorities for NIJC KYR engagement. The senior attorney will provide legal representation and immigration legal service counseling to immigrants appearing before the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with a focus on the representation of complex cases in removal proceedings. The candidate must be a team player and work collaboratively with NIJC's direct legal services, litigation, policy and communications teams. This position requires an individual with immigration law expertise and knowledge to conduct Know Your Rights presentations and provide individual consultations, while providing legal representation before EOIR in complicated removal cases or other government agencies, as needed. Applicants should submit a brief cover letter addressing their qualifications and interest in this position, resume, and writing sample with their application.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities :

Know Your Rights / Know Your Options

Creates and modifies Know Your Rights materials in English and Spanish
Presents Know Your Rights presentations
Coordinates Know Your Rights presentations within the community according to NIJC priorities and capacity
Builds and maintains relationships with community partners
Collaborates and coordinates with NIJC's programs (direct legal services, policy, litigation and communications)
Provides rapid analysis regarding changes in the law (legislative / administrative) and incorporates updated guidance into NIJC materials, creating new materials when appropriate
When appropriate, conducts brief individual consultations after presentations
Creates updated Know Your Rights materials, including PowerPoint and handouts, for the presentations
Coordinates and tracks internally Know Your Rights presentations
Evaluates impact and methods
Coordinates with NIJC's manager of capacity building
Conducts other presentations as appropriate

Intake and Representation

Conducts preliminary intake interview for individuals in removal proceedings, gathers all relevant facts for presentation at Unit meetings. Makes assessment of income eligibility and makes appropriate referrals for those individuals not eligible for organization services. Recommends exceptions to financial guidelines to the Supervisor.

Develops and implements complex case strategies in consultation with supervisor.

Prepares cases for hearings, including drafting legal papers, conducting client advocacy, presenting evidence, etc. in accord with the Code of Professional Responsibility for the legal profession.

Carries a volume of work as required by the department. Has in-depth knowledge of legal and other resources.

Remains current on immigration law, policies and procedures. Remains current on implications of criminal and civil law as it applies to the representation of immigrants.

Develops and maintains professional relationships with EOIR, DHS, U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS), government and social service organizations and community organizations as necessary. Interprets immigration and department policies and programs to the public, including public speaking.

In accordance with the ethical standards required of the legal profession, the Code of Professional Responsibility preserves client confidentiality, accounts for client monies and avoids conflict of interest.

Maintains complete and accurate client records. Prepares timely statistical reports. Conducts quarterly case audits for presentation and review of the Supervisor.

Participates in training on immigration procedures as assigned by the Supervisor. May conduct training sessions assigned by the Supervisor.

Identifies trends and recurring legal and social concerns. Recommend strategies for solutions and other needed advocacy.

Adheres to professional standards as outlined by governmental bodies, (and / or other appropriate professional associations), private funding sources, Organization plans / policies and Unit guidelines. Participates in periodic evaluative reviews and / or in-house and external staff training to ensure that they understand and adhere to such standards. Initiates requests for assistance or guidance from Supervisor to address new issues or complex concepts affecting adherence to professional standards.

Other duties may be assigned.

Qualifications :

Education and / or Experience : Juris Doctorate Degree required and at least three years' experience in the legal field, preferably in the field of immigration law, with a focus on removal defense.

Language Skills : Fluency in English and Spanish.Excellent oral and written communication skills. Ability to communicate effectively in legal and non-legal settings with a wide range of individuals and organizations. Strong analytical skills.

Reasoning Ability : Solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Ability to interpret executive orders and regulations and translate them and its impact on cases and community education.

Physical Abilities Statement

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time

The person in this position occasionally needs to move about the inside of the office to access filing cabinets, office machinery, etc.

Constantly operations a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a copy machine.

Candidate will need to travel for work-related business. As a result, the candidate must possess a valid driver's license and be comfortable operating a vehicle upon hiring.

Position will also require hours outside of 8 : 30 a.m. - 5 : 00 p.m. and Saturdays for the Know Your Rights presentations.

It is the policy of NIJC not to discriminate against any applicant for employment, or any employee because of age, color, sex, disability, national origin, race, religion, or veteran status.

By submitting your application, you acknowledge and consent to undergo a comprehensive background check as part of the employment process. This background check will be conducted in compliance with applicable state and federal laws.

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