ImmigrationJobs
Staff Attorney
REPORTS TO: Managing Attorney
POSITIONS SUPERVISED: Limited supervision of volunteers and interns
HOURS: Full-Time (36-40 hours per week)
PAY: $65,000
BENEFITS: Medical/Dental (0% copay after low deductible plan), IRA Simple Plan and 3% matching, Staff Health Day activities, 3 weeks Vacation Paid Time Off, 2 weeks end of year paid-time off, 11 paid holidays, Sick Time Off, flexible working hours and locations, with majority of time in office.
Lighthouse Immigrant Advocates (LIA) is a nonprofit in West Michigan offering affordable immigration legal services to community members. The organizational model includes a three-pronged approach to service: holistic case management, community education and advocacy. LIA has grown rapidly in the nearly ten years since its inception.
LIA believes that Michigan’s large immigrant population adds to our communities’ vibrant cultural and ethnic diversity, generating forward momentum in our communities and economy. The key to that work is supporting services that welcome, include and aid immigrant communities.
Employment with LIA is exciting and enriching. Furthermore, LIA is a family-friendly organization that offers flexible scheduling and does not discourage employees from bringing their children to the office when necessary.
BROAD STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES Provide high-quality legal representation before the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the U.S. Department of State, and potentially the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) in immigration matters to community members in need.
SPECIFIC DUTIES
Provide legal representation and general consultations on family-based and humanitarian immigration matters, including but not limited to citizenship, petitions for relatives, permanent residence for family, waivers, consular processing, refugee and asylee petitions, VAWA, U visas, TPS, and DACA.
Coordinate all aspects of a client's case, including client communication, preparing immigration forms, conducting relevant research, drafting personal statements, writing briefs and compiling evidence.
Utilize case management and office systems to manage substantial caseload.
Utilize government websites (such as, but not limited to, the National Visa Center or USCIS FOIA website) for submitting applications, entering data and making payments.
Communicate with USCIS, the NVC, US Consulates, and government attorneys on behalf of clients as case needs dictate.
Provide consultations to new clients.
potentially - Conduct initial screenings, intakes, and eligibility assessments for asylum and other humanitarian protections (e.g., CAT, Withholding of Removal).
potentially - Prepare asylum applications (Form I-589), supporting affidavits, legal briefs, and documentation.
potentially - Represent clients in affirmative asylum interviews before USCIS and in defensive asylum proceedings before EOIR.
Meet with existing clients to continue their immigration processes.
Communicate with clients by phone, email, video call and in-person meetings.
Assist clients in identification of documents required, and directs clients on how to obtain them.
Participate in program outreach and public education about immigration law and policy, including occasional speaking engagements, assisting with preparing educational presentations, and working with Legal Outreach Teams to coordinate education and outreach to hard-to-reach immigrant communities.
Provide assistance as necessary to in-house and mobile clinics at partner organizations.
Provide telephonic general consultations on Immigration hotline.
Serve on community committees or coalitions such as the Michigan Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights or local coalitions and initiatives as necessary.
Serve on one committee with the board of directors.
Engage in limited supervision of interns, volunteers, support staff, and potentially DOJ-accredited legal representatives who are engaged in similar duties with the Legal Services Program as necessary.
Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
If Attorney - The qualified candidate will have a J.D. and must have an active license to practice law in any U.S. state (Michigan preferred). We will not accept applications from recent law graduates who have not already passed their bar exam.
Membership in good standing of State Bar required.
Must be highly proficient in English and Spanish.
Preferred minimum of two years previous experience in a professional context with family-based, humanitarian-based, and/or asylum immigration matters preferred. [Pay commensurate with experience.]
Flexibility to travel throughout West Michigan, including occasional evenings and weekends if required, for work purposes including but not limited to mobile clinics, speaking presentations, or community outreach events.
Must be committed to the mission and goals of Lighthouse Immigrant Advocates.
Possess strong organizational and information management skills, have excellent time management skills, the ability to prioritize and work with minimal supervision.
Possess strong client service skills, including, but not limited to, timely and effective written, phone, and in-person communication skills and knowledge and practice of trauma-informed communication methods.
Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite, Google Drive, and other computer applications.
Must have competence in communicating and interacting with others of diverse cultural, geographic, and economic backgrounds in a professional and compassionate manner, including the ability to interact with individuals experiencing substantial levels of emotional, physical, financial, or other hardship.
Must be committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion work both within the organization and within the community.
SCHEDULE LIA is open Monday through Thursday to clients and Fridays is closed to the public. The Legal Representative’s schedule is based on their start-time preference and the demands of the populations with whom they work. Salaried employees are expected to work a minimum of 36 hours per week unless otherwise specified. Typically, the Legal Representative will have in-person hours with one weekly work block day which can be done remotely. Further remote days can happen as needed as long as approved by the Managing Attorney.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; occasionally walk and stand; travel from building to other sites.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
The employee is required to be able to hear conversations in quiet environments. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works inside.
The employee must be able to meet deadlines with inflexible time constraints.
The employee may be asked to work irregular or extended work hours while performing the duties of this job.
LIA’s Holland Office is a single-story building not fully accessible to wheelchair users and individuals experiencing mobility limitations. Partner organizations may have varying levels of accessibility.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT This organization is an equal opportunity employer and does not unlawfully discriminate against staff or applicants for employment on the basis of an individual’s race, religion, creed, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. This policy applies to all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment, including recruitment, hiring, placement, compensation, promotion, discipline, and termination. Whenever possible, the organization makes reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities to the extent required by law. Applicants who would like to request a reasonable accommodation should contact LIA at dlee@lia-michigan.org.
How To Apply
Cover letter explaining why LIA’s work/mission is important to you
Current résumé
Three professional references and their contact information
A brief writing sample (2-5 pages)
All materials may be addressed to: Hiring Committee
#J-18808-Ljbffr
POSITIONS SUPERVISED: Limited supervision of volunteers and interns
HOURS: Full-Time (36-40 hours per week)
PAY: $65,000
BENEFITS: Medical/Dental (0% copay after low deductible plan), IRA Simple Plan and 3% matching, Staff Health Day activities, 3 weeks Vacation Paid Time Off, 2 weeks end of year paid-time off, 11 paid holidays, Sick Time Off, flexible working hours and locations, with majority of time in office.
Lighthouse Immigrant Advocates (LIA) is a nonprofit in West Michigan offering affordable immigration legal services to community members. The organizational model includes a three-pronged approach to service: holistic case management, community education and advocacy. LIA has grown rapidly in the nearly ten years since its inception.
LIA believes that Michigan’s large immigrant population adds to our communities’ vibrant cultural and ethnic diversity, generating forward momentum in our communities and economy. The key to that work is supporting services that welcome, include and aid immigrant communities.
Employment with LIA is exciting and enriching. Furthermore, LIA is a family-friendly organization that offers flexible scheduling and does not discourage employees from bringing their children to the office when necessary.
BROAD STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES Provide high-quality legal representation before the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the U.S. Department of State, and potentially the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) in immigration matters to community members in need.
SPECIFIC DUTIES
Provide legal representation and general consultations on family-based and humanitarian immigration matters, including but not limited to citizenship, petitions for relatives, permanent residence for family, waivers, consular processing, refugee and asylee petitions, VAWA, U visas, TPS, and DACA.
Coordinate all aspects of a client's case, including client communication, preparing immigration forms, conducting relevant research, drafting personal statements, writing briefs and compiling evidence.
Utilize case management and office systems to manage substantial caseload.
Utilize government websites (such as, but not limited to, the National Visa Center or USCIS FOIA website) for submitting applications, entering data and making payments.
Communicate with USCIS, the NVC, US Consulates, and government attorneys on behalf of clients as case needs dictate.
Provide consultations to new clients.
potentially - Conduct initial screenings, intakes, and eligibility assessments for asylum and other humanitarian protections (e.g., CAT, Withholding of Removal).
potentially - Prepare asylum applications (Form I-589), supporting affidavits, legal briefs, and documentation.
potentially - Represent clients in affirmative asylum interviews before USCIS and in defensive asylum proceedings before EOIR.
Meet with existing clients to continue their immigration processes.
Communicate with clients by phone, email, video call and in-person meetings.
Assist clients in identification of documents required, and directs clients on how to obtain them.
Participate in program outreach and public education about immigration law and policy, including occasional speaking engagements, assisting with preparing educational presentations, and working with Legal Outreach Teams to coordinate education and outreach to hard-to-reach immigrant communities.
Provide assistance as necessary to in-house and mobile clinics at partner organizations.
Provide telephonic general consultations on Immigration hotline.
Serve on community committees or coalitions such as the Michigan Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights or local coalitions and initiatives as necessary.
Serve on one committee with the board of directors.
Engage in limited supervision of interns, volunteers, support staff, and potentially DOJ-accredited legal representatives who are engaged in similar duties with the Legal Services Program as necessary.
Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
If Attorney - The qualified candidate will have a J.D. and must have an active license to practice law in any U.S. state (Michigan preferred). We will not accept applications from recent law graduates who have not already passed their bar exam.
Membership in good standing of State Bar required.
Must be highly proficient in English and Spanish.
Preferred minimum of two years previous experience in a professional context with family-based, humanitarian-based, and/or asylum immigration matters preferred. [Pay commensurate with experience.]
Flexibility to travel throughout West Michigan, including occasional evenings and weekends if required, for work purposes including but not limited to mobile clinics, speaking presentations, or community outreach events.
Must be committed to the mission and goals of Lighthouse Immigrant Advocates.
Possess strong organizational and information management skills, have excellent time management skills, the ability to prioritize and work with minimal supervision.
Possess strong client service skills, including, but not limited to, timely and effective written, phone, and in-person communication skills and knowledge and practice of trauma-informed communication methods.
Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite, Google Drive, and other computer applications.
Must have competence in communicating and interacting with others of diverse cultural, geographic, and economic backgrounds in a professional and compassionate manner, including the ability to interact with individuals experiencing substantial levels of emotional, physical, financial, or other hardship.
Must be committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion work both within the organization and within the community.
SCHEDULE LIA is open Monday through Thursday to clients and Fridays is closed to the public. The Legal Representative’s schedule is based on their start-time preference and the demands of the populations with whom they work. Salaried employees are expected to work a minimum of 36 hours per week unless otherwise specified. Typically, the Legal Representative will have in-person hours with one weekly work block day which can be done remotely. Further remote days can happen as needed as long as approved by the Managing Attorney.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; occasionally walk and stand; travel from building to other sites.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
The employee is required to be able to hear conversations in quiet environments. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works inside.
The employee must be able to meet deadlines with inflexible time constraints.
The employee may be asked to work irregular or extended work hours while performing the duties of this job.
LIA’s Holland Office is a single-story building not fully accessible to wheelchair users and individuals experiencing mobility limitations. Partner organizations may have varying levels of accessibility.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT This organization is an equal opportunity employer and does not unlawfully discriminate against staff or applicants for employment on the basis of an individual’s race, religion, creed, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. This policy applies to all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment, including recruitment, hiring, placement, compensation, promotion, discipline, and termination. Whenever possible, the organization makes reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities to the extent required by law. Applicants who would like to request a reasonable accommodation should contact LIA at dlee@lia-michigan.org.
How To Apply
Cover letter explaining why LIA’s work/mission is important to you
Current résumé
Three professional references and their contact information
A brief writing sample (2-5 pages)
All materials may be addressed to: Hiring Committee
#J-18808-Ljbffr