Paralegal

Overview

This Paralegal role works closely with legal support staff and attorneys to prepare immigration applications and support clients. Paralegals are responsible for handling a wide range of immigration inquiries and conducting final reviews before escalating matters to attorneys.

Responsibilities

• Learn requirements and become familiar with processes for VAWA, T-Visa, U-visa, family cases, Med DA, naturalization, and other case types.
• Upon attorney request, review application packets, and review and revise forms and exhibits.
• Provide initial reviews and develop plans for the operational team to follow for:
  • Rejection
  • Work permit renewals
  • Work permit corrections
  • Supplements
• Review and correct packets as needed after the operational team completes the plan.
• Review FBI background checks, police reports, and FOIA responses.
• Answer live client calls as part of a paralegal hotseat and identify questions that must be escalated to an attorney.
• Implement attorney guidance and instructions for cases escalated to an attorney.
• Evaluate and handle responses to client escalations; help identify next steps to move cases forward or improve the process.
• Upon attorney request, communicate complicated legal information to clients concisely and clearly; attend calls or meetings with the attorney as needed.
• Review cases set for termination and create notes to ensure clients understand case status and responsibilities after termination.
• Under attorney supervision, help prepare legal training, templates, or scripts for operational teams.
• Partner with operational teams to provide strategic insight and additional thoughts on the case process.
• Upon request and where appropriate, help handle overflow attorney tasks such as reviewing intake notes.
• Perform legal and factual research at the request of an attorney.

Requirements

• Bilingual: English and Spanish (required).
• Prior paralegal experience is mandatory, preferably in humanitarian immigration cases.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Experience in using legal database software.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Computer skills including:
  • Typing and proficiency with MS Word and MS Excel
  • Document management using Salesforce/Litify (or other case management software)
  • Email using MS Outlook

Preferred Qualifications

• High-volume firm and prior immigration experience is a huge plus.

Compensation & Benefits

• Paid Time Off (PTO) including vacation, sick leave, and personal days, consistent with local country requirements.
• Paid Holidays (country-specific public holidays).
• Locally aligned health benefits, such as medical, dental, vision, disability, and other required national benefits aligned to local laws and norms.
• Local payroll in native currency, with taxes, social contributions, and statutory benefits automatically calculated and handled.
• Retirement or pension contributions based on each country’s legal and cultural standards.
• Employee support and compliance protection, including access to local HR experts for questions about laws, culture, or benefits.

Location

• Work schedule: M-F (9 AM - 6 PM EST).

Equipment Requirements

For PC Users

• A modern processor (Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 from the last few years)
• Windows 11 (kept up to date)

For Mac Users

• A modern processor (Apple M1 chip or a recent Intel Core i5)
• A recent macOS (Ventura or newer)

For Everyone

• At least 8 GB of memory (RAM) to run applications smoothly
• A fast hard drive with sufficient available storage