Minnesota Council of Nonprofits
Staff Attorney, Immigration Legal Services
Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, 55400
Job Posting
Job title:
Staff Attorney, Immigration Legal Services
Reports to:
Immigration Legal Services Director
Job type:
Full-time, hybrid
Salary:
From $74,000
Apply here:
https://forms.office.com/r/hJVdpCwfYY
Deadline : February 3, 2026
About The Advocates The Advocates for Human Rights is a volunteer‑based, non‑governmental, non‑profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the promotion and protection of internationally recognized human rights. Our work focuses on women’s rights, migrant and refugee rights, peacebuilding, due process and freedom from persecution, and economic and social rights. We aim to bring systemic change, reinforce accountability, raise awareness, foster tolerance, and help individuals fully realize their rights.
Position Summary Immigration Legal Services focuses on representing asylum seekers, unaccompanied children, and trafficking survivors in their immigration cases, supporting pro‑bono volunteers in critical work. As a Staff Attorney, you will specialize in removal defense and asylum litigation, representing and supporting volunteers who handle individuals in immigration court proceedings. Your responsibilities include removal defense cases, asylum applications, appeals before the Board of Immigration Appeals, federal litigation (habeas corpus petitions and other challenges), and recruitment and mentorship of pro‑bono volunteers.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities Pro Bono Attorney Support and Mentorship (≈60%)
Support volunteer attorneys in removal defense, asylum litigation, and federal immigration matters in collaboration with the Legal Director.
Develop specialized training programs for volunteers handling complex immigration litigation.
Review case intakes and identify cases suitable for volunteer placement or limited representation services.
Conduct case orientation meetings with clients and volunteer attorneys, including virtual and detention facility meetings.
Provide ongoing consultation and substantive legal support to volunteers, including guidance on trial strategy, brief writing, and appellate issues.
Monitor volunteer attorney case progress and provide technical assistance on procedural and substantive immigration law matters.
Maintain and update pro‑bono manuals and resources specific to removal defense, asylum litigation, and federal immigration practice.
Direct Client Representation (≈15%)
Provide full representation in complex removal defense and asylum cases not suitable for volunteer placement, working closely with the Legal Director.
Handle federal immigration litigation matters, including habeas corpus petitions and other federal court challenges.
Appear at immigration court hearings and merits hearings, including proceedings in detention facilities.
Litigate appeals before the Board of Immigration Appeals.
Manage cases awaiting volunteer placement, ensuring continuity of representation.
Provide targeted legal assistance to clients requiring limited‑scope representation.
Conduct legal consultations at detention centers and other locations.
Prepare specific pleadings, applications, or documents for clients not requiring full representation.
Supervise program staff and interns in case support activities.
Outreach and Training (≈15%)
Conduct trainings for volunteer attorneys, legal service providers, and community partners on removal defense, asylum law, and federal immigration litigation.
Develop and deliver presentations on immigration litigation topics for legal and community audiences.
Create and update training materials, practice advisories, and resources for pro‑bono attorneys and the in‑house legal team.
Represent The Advocates at bar association events, CLE programs, and professional conferences.
Build relationships with the private bar to expand pro‑bono capacity for immigration litigation matters.
Prepare educational materials for clients and community partners on immigration court processes and legal rights.
Organization Duties (≈10%)
Attend and participate in weekly staff meetings and bi‑weekly team meetings.
Represent The Advocates on appropriate coalitions, bar association committees, and working groups.
Support program and organization‑wide events that occur throughout the year.
Engage with supporters at House Parties and the annual Human Rights Awards Dinner.
Participate in organization communications efforts, including the monthly newsletter, blogs, Volunteer Attorney Update, and Observer magazine.
Coordinate with the Legal Director on cases to ensure consistent overall strategy, direction, and messaging.
Coordinate with other programs to advance client‑driven advocacy opportunities and policy priorities.
Qualifications Required
Admitted and licensed to practice law in at least one state bar.
At least 1 year of experience in immigration law, including legal clinics and internships; attorneys with more experience are encouraged to apply and will receive compensation reflecting experience.
Experience with humanitarian immigration relief, particularly asylum.
Experience with immigration litigation in federal court.
Experience working with low‑income non‑citizen clients.
Initiative, independence, and collaborative problem‑solving skills.
Ability to work in‑office, virtually, and at clinic and detention sites.
Willingness to travel at least twice a month to detention centers, and, less frequently, to clinics and events in greater MN, ND, and SD.
Preferred
Fluency in another language spoken by our client population, with a preference for Spanish.
Experience providing legal training or managing volunteers.
Experience with legal clinics.
Experience with outreach and engagement.
Compensation Starting compensation is commensurate with experience. Benefits include vacation (employees accrue 3 weeks of vacation during their first year and up to 6 weeks after five years of employment), 3 personal days, 11 paid holidays, 2 weeks of accrued sick leave annually, 6 weeks of paid parental leave; employer‑paid premiums for medical, dental, and long‑term disability/AD&D/life insurance; and a pre‑tax retirement plan.
Location and Status Hybrid: at least 2 days per week in the downtown Minneapolis office. Not eligible for fully remote work. This position is represented by the Office of Professional Employees International Union, Local 12, and is an exempt position.
To Apply Please use the following link to submit your application, letter of interest, and resume:
https://forms.office.com/r/hJVdpCwfYY
Application Deadline : February 3, 2026
Equal Opportunity Employer The Advocates for Human Rights is an equal opportunity employer. The Advocates is committed to cultural diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability or any other legally protected status.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Staff Attorney, Immigration Legal Services
Reports to:
Immigration Legal Services Director
Job type:
Full-time, hybrid
Salary:
From $74,000
Apply here:
https://forms.office.com/r/hJVdpCwfYY
Deadline : February 3, 2026
About The Advocates The Advocates for Human Rights is a volunteer‑based, non‑governmental, non‑profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the promotion and protection of internationally recognized human rights. Our work focuses on women’s rights, migrant and refugee rights, peacebuilding, due process and freedom from persecution, and economic and social rights. We aim to bring systemic change, reinforce accountability, raise awareness, foster tolerance, and help individuals fully realize their rights.
Position Summary Immigration Legal Services focuses on representing asylum seekers, unaccompanied children, and trafficking survivors in their immigration cases, supporting pro‑bono volunteers in critical work. As a Staff Attorney, you will specialize in removal defense and asylum litigation, representing and supporting volunteers who handle individuals in immigration court proceedings. Your responsibilities include removal defense cases, asylum applications, appeals before the Board of Immigration Appeals, federal litigation (habeas corpus petitions and other challenges), and recruitment and mentorship of pro‑bono volunteers.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities Pro Bono Attorney Support and Mentorship (≈60%)
Support volunteer attorneys in removal defense, asylum litigation, and federal immigration matters in collaboration with the Legal Director.
Develop specialized training programs for volunteers handling complex immigration litigation.
Review case intakes and identify cases suitable for volunteer placement or limited representation services.
Conduct case orientation meetings with clients and volunteer attorneys, including virtual and detention facility meetings.
Provide ongoing consultation and substantive legal support to volunteers, including guidance on trial strategy, brief writing, and appellate issues.
Monitor volunteer attorney case progress and provide technical assistance on procedural and substantive immigration law matters.
Maintain and update pro‑bono manuals and resources specific to removal defense, asylum litigation, and federal immigration practice.
Direct Client Representation (≈15%)
Provide full representation in complex removal defense and asylum cases not suitable for volunteer placement, working closely with the Legal Director.
Handle federal immigration litigation matters, including habeas corpus petitions and other federal court challenges.
Appear at immigration court hearings and merits hearings, including proceedings in detention facilities.
Litigate appeals before the Board of Immigration Appeals.
Manage cases awaiting volunteer placement, ensuring continuity of representation.
Provide targeted legal assistance to clients requiring limited‑scope representation.
Conduct legal consultations at detention centers and other locations.
Prepare specific pleadings, applications, or documents for clients not requiring full representation.
Supervise program staff and interns in case support activities.
Outreach and Training (≈15%)
Conduct trainings for volunteer attorneys, legal service providers, and community partners on removal defense, asylum law, and federal immigration litigation.
Develop and deliver presentations on immigration litigation topics for legal and community audiences.
Create and update training materials, practice advisories, and resources for pro‑bono attorneys and the in‑house legal team.
Represent The Advocates at bar association events, CLE programs, and professional conferences.
Build relationships with the private bar to expand pro‑bono capacity for immigration litigation matters.
Prepare educational materials for clients and community partners on immigration court processes and legal rights.
Organization Duties (≈10%)
Attend and participate in weekly staff meetings and bi‑weekly team meetings.
Represent The Advocates on appropriate coalitions, bar association committees, and working groups.
Support program and organization‑wide events that occur throughout the year.
Engage with supporters at House Parties and the annual Human Rights Awards Dinner.
Participate in organization communications efforts, including the monthly newsletter, blogs, Volunteer Attorney Update, and Observer magazine.
Coordinate with the Legal Director on cases to ensure consistent overall strategy, direction, and messaging.
Coordinate with other programs to advance client‑driven advocacy opportunities and policy priorities.
Qualifications Required
Admitted and licensed to practice law in at least one state bar.
At least 1 year of experience in immigration law, including legal clinics and internships; attorneys with more experience are encouraged to apply and will receive compensation reflecting experience.
Experience with humanitarian immigration relief, particularly asylum.
Experience with immigration litigation in federal court.
Experience working with low‑income non‑citizen clients.
Initiative, independence, and collaborative problem‑solving skills.
Ability to work in‑office, virtually, and at clinic and detention sites.
Willingness to travel at least twice a month to detention centers, and, less frequently, to clinics and events in greater MN, ND, and SD.
Preferred
Fluency in another language spoken by our client population, with a preference for Spanish.
Experience providing legal training or managing volunteers.
Experience with legal clinics.
Experience with outreach and engagement.
Compensation Starting compensation is commensurate with experience. Benefits include vacation (employees accrue 3 weeks of vacation during their first year and up to 6 weeks after five years of employment), 3 personal days, 11 paid holidays, 2 weeks of accrued sick leave annually, 6 weeks of paid parental leave; employer‑paid premiums for medical, dental, and long‑term disability/AD&D/life insurance; and a pre‑tax retirement plan.
Location and Status Hybrid: at least 2 days per week in the downtown Minneapolis office. Not eligible for fully remote work. This position is represented by the Office of Professional Employees International Union, Local 12, and is an exempt position.
To Apply Please use the following link to submit your application, letter of interest, and resume:
https://forms.office.com/r/hJVdpCwfYY
Application Deadline : February 3, 2026
Equal Opportunity Employer The Advocates for Human Rights is an equal opportunity employer. The Advocates is committed to cultural diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability or any other legally protected status.
#J-18808-Ljbffr