Senior Attorney, Immigration

ImmigrationJobs; Charlottesville (VA); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established nonprofit organization is seeking a Senior Immigration Attorney to champion the rights of immigrants in Virginia. This role involves developing impactful strategies to combat detention and deportation, advocating for inclusive policies, and collaborating with community partners. The position offers a dynamic environment where you can make a significant difference in the lives of individuals facing systemic injustice. With a commitment to social equity and a passion for immigrant rights, you will lead initiatives that promote justice and support vulnerable communities. This is an exciting opportunity to join a mission-driven team dedicated to fostering systemic reform and protecting immigrant rights.

Benefits

Generous paid time off

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Relocation package

Flexible remote work arrangements

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of legal practice with a focus on immigration law.
• Experience working with immigrant communities and advocacy.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategies to end detention and deportation.
• Lead impact campaigns affecting immigrant communities statewide.
• Supervise legal interns and contribute to organizational decision-making.

Skills

Fluency in Spanish

Legal practice

Advocacy for immigrant rights

Community engagement

Racial equity promotion

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Membership in Virginia State Bar

Job description

Position Description

Senior Immigration Attorney

Apply for Richmond: https://secure6.saashr.com/ta/6191828.careers?ShowJob=587634949

Apply for Charlottesville: https://secure6.saashr.com/ta/6191828.careers?ShowJob=587634948

About The Legal Aid Justice Center

The Legal Aid Justice Center is a nationally recognized, non-profit organization that partners with communities and clients to fight for racial, social, and economic justice. We understand that the harms our clients endure are inextricably linked to overarching systems of injustice. Together we are dismantling those systems through a combination of community organizing, litigation, policy advocacy, public relations, and individual legal services.

Recent highlights include leading efforts to reform Virginia’s unemployment insurance system, resulting in over $1 billion in illegally withheld payments to over 160,000 Virginians, and helping hundreds of families avoid eviction during the pandemic by accessing rent relief funds. Founded in 1967, LAJC has offices in Charlottesville, Richmond, Petersburg, and Falls Church, serving through six key program areas: Civil Rights & Racial Justice, Economic Justice, Youth Justice, Health Justice, Immigrant Justice, and Worker Justice. For more information, visit www.justice4all.org.

About The Immigration Justice Program

LAJC’s Immigration Justice Program works to end mass detention and deportation of immigrants in Virginia, and to break ties between immigration enforcement and local/state government. We aim to keep immigrant communities intact, fight family separations, and advocate for inclusive policies. Recent successes include reducing detention center populations, expanding eligibility for juvenile status, ending ICE notification mandates, and securing in-state tuition for undocumented students with pending asylum applications. Our attorneys collaborate with community members, national organizations, and partners to promote systemic reforms and protect immigrant rights.

About The Position

We seek a senior immigration attorney to work in our Charlottesville or Richmond, VA office. Responsibilities include developing strategies to end detention and deportation, advocating for immigrant rights, and collaborating with community and legal partners. The attorney will manage or supervise a practice focusing on immigration issues, support the University of Virginia Law Clinic, and participate in systemic advocacy efforts.

Job Duties

1. Monitor and advance a docket of individual cases, including direct representation and community consultations.
2. Lead impact campaigns affecting immigrant communities statewide.
3. Assist in co-teaching the Immigration Law Clinic at UVA Law School.
4. Participate in community events, coalitions, and advocacy communications.
5. Supervise legal interns and contribute to organizational decision-making.
6. Promote racial equity within LAJC and the broader community through various initiatives.

Senior Attorney Responsibilities

1. Support organizational health through participation in internal committees and support to the administrative team.
2. Provide legal expertise, training, and support on immigration issues across programs.
3. Foster collective learning and facilitate discussions on immigration law topics.

Requirements

• Strong commitment to social, economic, and racial justice.
• Minimum of 3 years of legal practice.
• Passion for immigrants’ rights and experience working with immigrant communities.
• Fluency in Spanish to interview and counsel clients.
• Membership or eligibility for membership in the Virginia State Bar.
• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities effectively.

Preferred Qualifications

• At least 1 year of immigration law experience, preferably in removal defense.
• Supervision experience and work in public interest or nonprofit legal settings.

Additional Details

The role can be based in Charlottesville or Richmond, VA, with occasional travel. LAJC offers flexible remote work arrangements. We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds and those who do not meet every qualification to apply, as we value inclusivity and diversity.

Application review begins after November 7, 2024. Submit a cover letter, resume, and three references via the online system, addressed to Rhoma Javed at [e-mail]. Salary ranges from $75,000 to $99,478.21, with benefits including generous paid time off, health insurance, retirement plan, and a relocation package. All employees must be vaccinated against COVID-19 or have an approved exemption.