Immigration Court Helpdesk Staff Attorney or DOJ Fully Accredited Representative

Just Neighbors seeks a passionate, bilingual, organized attorney or fully accredited DOJ Representative to provide legal orientation and individual legal assistance at the Immigration Court Helpdesk (ICH) at Annandale, Virginia Immigration Court. (EOIR). Position will be based in our Annandale office and work with/report to a Senior Staff Attorney for ICH and the Managing Attorney for Removal Defense Programs. To apply, send resume, cover letter, writing sample and three references to Dominique Poirier, Director of Legal Services at dominique@justneighbors.org. Resume collection open on a rolling basis but applications will be reviewed starting December 6, 2024. Position to begin on or after December, 2024.

Responsibilities:

• In collaboration with Senior Staff Attorney, provide in-person Group Information Sessions (GIS) approximately twice weekly to individuals and families in removal proceedings in Annandale EOIR.
• In collaboration with Senior Staff Attorney, provide in person Individual Information Sessions (IIS) approximately twice weekly to individuals and families in removal proceedings in Annandale, EOIR. IIS will include giving legal advice on individual’s defense to removal such as asylum, assisting individuals in fleshing out any such defense, advising on removal defense strategies, identifying individuals who need more detailed assistance during a Self-Help Workshop, etc.
• In collaboration with Senior Staff Attorney, provide legal assistance at Self-Help Workshops (SHW) at Annandale EOIR which may include assisting individuals in completing Change of Address forms, Motions to Change Venue, asylum applications, and/or supporting evidence for asylum applications such as declarations, country conditions etc. Such SHW will be held approximately 1-2 times per month.
• Comply with contractual reporting requirements.
• Conduct follow-up meetings with individual clients for work which cannot be completed during IIS or SHW. Such meetings may either be in person or virtual.
• Attend meetings with removal defense teams, staff meetings, legal practitioner meetings etc.

Qualifications:

• Active bar membership is required for attorneys but will consider individuals who have recently taken the bar and are awaiting results. DOJ representatives should be immediately eligible for full accreditation.
• Spanish fluency required
• Excellent attention to detail
• Hard working, flexible, able to carry a robust workload and to work as a team member in a close-knit, small office with people of all backgrounds
• Desire to collaborate with diverse stakeholders engaging with immigrants
• Strong public speaking skills
• Passion for immigration, human-rights, and the non-profit sector
• Ability to work extensively with trauma survivors and their families

Just Neighbors is an Equal Opportunity Employer; we are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We believe the more inclusive we are, the better we are able to serve the clients we reflect. We encourage applicants of all religions, genders, races, ethnicities, ages, physical abilities and sexual orientations.