Senior Immigration Attorney – Removal Defense (Hybrid / $80K-$90K)

The Resurrection Project; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Resurrection Project in Chicago, IL seeks a Senior Staff Attorney for Removal to lead removal defense within the Immigrant Justice Legal Clinic. You will maintain your own caseload and supervise junior attorneys and paralegals.

Collaborate with the Managing Attorney and MIDA to deliver holistic immigration services, engage clients, and participate in advocacy and education efforts. On-site work is required.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate degree and 3+ years practicing immigration law.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish required.
• Supervisory experience strongly preferred.
• Ability to work with diverse populations in a fast-paced nonprofit.
• Excellent verbal, analytical, writing, and organizational skills.
• Proficient with MS Office and case management software.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert consultation and representation to clients in removal defense.
• Supervise staff attorneys, DOJ accredited representatives, and paralegals.
• Manage a caseload including bond hearings, EOIR, and BIA appearances.
• Stay current on immigration law through research and trainings.
• Collaborate with the Managing Attorney and MIDA for universal representation.

Skills

Bilingual English and Spanish

Excellent verbal

Analytical thinking

Written communication

Organizational skills

Education

Juris Doctorate

Tools

MS Office

Case management software

Job description

Senior Staff Attorney, Removal – Immigrant Justice Legal Clinic

Supervisory Relationship: Managing Attorney for Removal, Immigrant Justice Legal Clinic

Work Location: 1805 S. Ashland Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60608

Organization General Description

The Resurrection Project (TRP) builds trusting relationships to educate and propel individuals, immigrants, and families to achieve their social and economic aspirations, stable homes, and equitable participation in their community. TRP is a leading provider of affordable housing, financial education, and immigration services on Chicago’s Southwest side.

During the past three decades TRP, has worked to improve the lives of individuals and families by creating wealth, building assets, and engaging residents to be catalysts for change. Rooted in the Pilsen community, TRP’s impact now extends across the City of Chicago and through the State of Illinois; we are making steady progress towards leveraging and preserving more than $1 billion in community wealth by 2025.

Department Description

The goal of TRP’s Immigrant Justice Department is to provide opportunities for authentic local immigrant leadership, to offer holistic community-based immigration legal services, and to work in coalitions to expand access to legal representation. The Immigrant Justice Legal Clinic offers direct legal services while engaging clients in advocacy and education and provides resources for the community to prepare for changes in immigration policy.

General Job Description

TRP seeks a passionate, collaborative, and innovative attorney to work on removal cases, both detained and non-detained, in TRP’s Immigrant Justice Legal Clinic. The senior staff attorney will maintain their own caseload, supervise casework of legal representatives (Full DOJs and staff attorneys) and removal defense paralegals as well as collaborate with the managing attorney on cases received via the Immigrant Justice Legal Clinic and the Midwest Immigration Defenders Alliance (MIDA), which is a collaborative with other organizations as part of a universal representation program to represent detained Illinois residents. The senior staff attorney is an integral part of supervision and development for team members who are new to detained removal defense practice.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Direct Services, Case Management, and Data Collection

• Provide expert consultation and representation to clients and potential clients including case preparation and follow-up.
• Handle a caseload that includes removal defense for detained and non-detained clients including, but not limited to, bond hearings, representation in immigration court (EOIR) and before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA).
• Keep current on changes in immigration law and procedures through research and trainings.
• Make appropriate referrals as necessary for immigration legal services beyond the scope of the program.
• Maintain comprehensive up-to-date notes of client contact, indicating date, subject matter, and resolution in the client file, and all applicable reporting or case management systems, per TRP’s Immigrant Justice Legal Clinic procedures, and notify client of all activity regarding their case in a timely manner.
• Actively participate in case review and other meetings needed to effectively provide excellent quality service to all clients.

Recruit, Train, and Mentor Staff

• Directly supervise a small team of staff, including staff attorney(s) or DOJ accredited representative(s) and paralegal(s).
• Provide supervision, training, and guidance to legal representatives and paralegals working on removal defense cases.
• Identify, recruit, train, support, develop, and evaluate a talented, high-performing team of staff to implement effective and responsive programming.
• Ensure that the responsibilities, authority, and accountability of all direct team members are defined and understood; and
• Intentionally check-in with staff on any development opportunities & performance feedback.

Additional Responsibilities

· Maintain required job skills and core professional competencies;

· Maintain open and ongoing communication;

· Attend and participate in required educational programs and staff meetings; and

· Perform other duties as assigned.

Essential Knowledge and Skills

• Juris Doctorate degree and three or more years practicing immigration law required. Experience handling bond, asylum, removal defense, and detained representation required.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish required.
• Previous supervisory experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and work effectively with people of diverse social, faith, economic and racial/ethnic backgrounds.
• Ability to succeed in a fast‑paced community nonprofit.
• Excellent verbal, analytical, writing, and organization skills.
• Proficient knowledge of MS Office and case management software.
• Highly motivated and demonstrated ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Strong attention to detail.

Special Working Conditions and Demands

· On-site work schedule: as needed, and no less than 3 days per week.

· Willingness to work flexible hours as needed; some evenings and weekends required.

Position Classification: Full‑Time, Exempt.

Salary: $80,000 - $90,000 Salary commensurate with experience.

Statement of Equal Opportunity

The Resurrection Project is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, sexual orientation (including gender identity), military status, disability, or language (any language use not related to job duties). In addition to federal law requirements, The Resurrection Project complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.