Overview
A legal organization dedicated to advancing human rights and due process for immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers is seeking a Senior Attorney for its LGBTQ Immigrant Rights Initiative. This initiative provides legal services to low-income immigrants who identify as LGBTQ or are living with HIV. The position offers an opportunity to provide technical support to pro bono counsel handling complex immigration cases and occasionally provide direct client representation.
This role is based in Chicago, IL, with remote candidates considered.
Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain internal procedures and protocols for the LGBTQ Project, including intake, case monitoring, case closing, and auditing.
- Review intake referrals from Immigration Court Helpdesk and community organizations; assign cases to project staff and monitor staff capacity.
- Ensure compliance with funding and deliverable obligations; assist development staff with reporting.
- Supervise attorneys, paralegals, and coordinators.
- Review and provide feedback on legal documents such as briefs, memos, affidavits, and work permit applications.
- Identify cases suitable for pro bono placement.
- Coordinate with community organizations for referrals, trainings, events, and advocacy projects.
- Support in-house and pro bono teams in navigating immigration legal processes, including filings, FOIA requests, evidence gathering, and appearances before government agencies.
- Draft practice advisories on relevant legal topics.
- Present at training and outreach events on immigration law updates and LGBTQ asylum representation.
- Provide direct legal representation to clients, including case preparation, drafting legal papers, client advocacy, and evidence presentation.
- Stay current on immigration law, policies, and related criminal and civil law implications.
- Maintain accurate client records and prepare timely statistical reports.
- Conduct routine case audits and identify trends or recurring legal and social issues; recommend advocacy strategies.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Requirements
- Juris Doctorate degree.
- Minimum of three years practicing law, preferably in immigration and/or human rights law.
- Self-motivated with a commitment to civil liberties and LGBTQ advocacy.
- Ability to represent individuals in complex cases and develop sophisticated legal strategies.
- Proficiency in spoken and written Spanish is required due to regular client communication.
- Excellent writing, analytical, and communication skills for legal and non-legal audiences.
- Ability to interpret professional journals, technical procedures, and governmental regulations.
- Ability to draft reports, correspondence, and procedure manuals.
- Fluency or proficiency in additional languages beyond English is a plus.
Competencies
- Strong reasoning and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to interpret various instructions in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to remain stationary for approximately 50% of the time.
- Occasional movement within the office to access equipment and files.
- Frequent use of computer and office machinery such as copiers.
Compensation & Benefits
Details regarding compensation and benefits are not specified.
Location
Chicago, Illinois (remote candidates will be considered).
Additional Information
Applicants will be subject to a comprehensive background check in compliance with applicable laws. The employer is an equal opportunity organization and does not discriminate based on age, color, sex, disability, national origin, race, religion, or veteran status.