Immigration Staff Attorney

Benefits :

401(k)

Competitive salary

Health insurance

Paid time off

Training & development

Organization Overview :

The Louisiana Organization for Refugees and Immigrants (LORI) supports refugees and immigrants in the journey of integration in Louisiana by providing programs and services to develop skills, knowledge and understanding their responsibilities to become self-reliant and civically active.

Position Overview :

The Immigration Staff Attorney will provide direct immigration legal services to low-income families, asylees, refugees, and other immigrants in need.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Client and Case Management

• Conduct comprehensive legal screenings to evaluate eligibility for immigrants and refugees and provide legal advice.
• Assist eligible clients with applications for services, including but not limited to, adjustment of status, Temporary Protection Status, naturalization, green card renewals, family-based visa petitions, removal / deportation defense and removal  of conditions for eligible lawful permanent residents.
• Maintain accurate records of client interactions and case progress to provide regular updates to clients about their case.
• Track and report the outcome of each screening, cases accepted, case outcomes, and referrals made.
• Monitor case data monthly to ensure alignment with LORI’s legal programs and grant requirements.

Community Engagement

• Engage with immigrant communities by conducting workshops and educational sessions on immigrants’ rights, immigration policies and procedures.
• Represent LORI at local, state, and national meetings, workshops and / or conferences to amplify the immigration needs for refugees and immigrants in Louisiana.

Partnership Development and Relationship Building

• Foster and establish broad partnerships with key government agencies, funders, attorneys, law schools, and other partner organizations with the goal of developing collective strategies in support of low-income and vulnerable immigrant communities.
• Enhance the visibility and effectiveness of LORI’s immigration legal program.

Compliance and Reporting

• Support LORI’s fund development by providing program-related data and information necessary for grant applications and grant reporting.
• Provide information and data that helps to tell the story about the impact of LORI’s legal program to various groups, including but not limited to, community partners, businesses, local government, donors / funders, and LORI’s board members.

Professional Development

• Stay abreast of changes to immigration laws and policies by participation in relevant training and professional development opportunities.

Required Qualifications / Skills :

• Valid license to practice law and be eligible to practice immigration law in Louisiana.
• Minimum of two (2) years’ experience in immigration legal practice with focus and support to low-income families.
• Experience with affirmative and defensive applications for humanitarian relief, family-based applications, and naturalization process and applications.
• Demonstrated commitment to community-centered immigrant justice.
• Demonstrated experience collaborating with diverse organizations and cultural groups, including but not limited to, legal service providers, organizers, community leaders, and other legal advocacy organizations.
• Engagement with immigrant communities, including but not limited to, Hispanic, Middle Eastern, and African communities, to amplify their experiences and voices.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills as well as strong analytical skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
• Possess strong organizational skills, disciplined, focused, and detailed-oriented with experience in establishing and implementing systems for organizing and managing legal casework, while also being adaptive and agile.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic and fast-paced environment while being goal-oriented, ability to work independently or as a team, ability to assume multiple roles, ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
• Willingness to work evenings, weekends, and irregular hours when required. (compensatory time off provided in such instances).

Preferred Qualifications / Skills :

• Admission or willingness to obtain admission to the Louisiana Bar.
• Proficiency in Spanish, French, or Arabic.
• Personal lived experiences that contribute to a genuine understanding of the challenges faced by vulnerable refugees and immigrants.