Senior Attorney – Immigration Division

Role Overview

• Develop collaborative partnerships with domestic violence programs in Cook County
• Respond to technical assistance requests from the Cook County domestic violence community
• Develop and present Know Your Rights trainings to survivors of gender-based violence and program staff
• Develop and present training on relevant immigration topics for domestic violence program staff, survivors, and other network partners
• Conduct consultations with domestic violence program participants, assess appropriate remedies, and provide advice and referral
• Perform intake functions, interviewing potential clients to evaluate cases for representation.
• Provide high-quality representation for survivors of gender-based violence seeking humanitarian relief in immigration matters
• Manage a limited caseload of ongoing immigration cases
• Deliver services according to principles of trauma-informed care.
• Maintain client files, noting all deadlines, communications, and other relevant information.
• Coordinate with the agency’s Client Support Coordinator and other colleagues to ensure that the client receives seamless, holistic services.
• May supervise staff attorneys or legal fellows
• Supervise volunteers, including attorneys, students, and interns.
• Lead assigned staff.
• Conduct supervision and evaluations
• Provide ongoing mentoring, including strategic growth for assigned staff, and monitor individual work plans.
• Provide technical advice to staff attorneys on case-related issues.
• Actively participate in required staff meetings, trainings.
• Keep abreast of the field by maintaining networks and participating in professional organizations.
• Protect the organization by keeping information confidential.

Requirements

• Licensed to practice law in any state within the U.S.
• Must have completed or be willing to complete 40-hour Domestic Violence training
• Spanish language proficiency, including the ability to interview and represent clients with limited or no English-speaking abilities, required.
• At least five years of experience in immigration practice
• Experience representing clients in VAWA, U Visa, Battered Spouse Waivers, T-visa, or asylum applications
• Experience representing clients in removal defense, including bond, asylum, and cancellation of removal
• Experience negotiating with ICE/ISAP on supervision, prosecutorial discretion, and parole.
• Broad knowledge of non-humanitarian applications before USCIS (e.g family based; DACA, consular processing; parole);
• Experience working with survivors of gender-based violence
• Experience working with domestic violence or sexual assault advocacy organizations in any capacity preferred
• Experience developing training/educational materials for the community and or professionals;
• Experience providing presentations on immigration topics to the community and professionals
• Demonstrated ability to build community networks and collaboration across disciplines
• Familiarity with principles of trauma-informed care and willingness to complete additional training
• Strong self-motivation and ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse populations
• Knowledge of or experience with working with survivors of gender-based or intimate partner violence
• Ability to work in a fast-paced legal environment
• Ability to communicate effectively with people in crisis
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Flexible, self-motivated
• Strong attention to detail
• Excellent communication and time management skills
• Sense of humor.

Benefits

• FSA Health, Dependent Care, and Commute Plan
• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance