Staff Attorney

Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota; Saint Paul (MN); Hybrid; USD 68,688 - 83,952; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

SIMPLE IRA retirement plan with employer match

Training/professional development budget

Job summary

The Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota seeks a Staff Attorney to provide legal representation in immigration matters. The role includes preparing clients for immigration court, drafting applications, and conducting outreach within Southeast Asian communities in Minnesota.

Located in the Twin Cities Metro Area, this role supports flexible work arrangements, promoting work-life harmony while ensuring impactful legal advocacy.

Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits are offered, reflecting the organization’s commitment to serving immigrant and refugee communities.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 1-3 years’ experience with immigration law and court matters.
• Ability to travel to partner organizations and detention centers 3-5 times per month.

Responsibilities

• Represent clients in immigration court and prepare necessary documentation.
• Conduct outreach within the Southeast Asian community in Minnesota.
• Mentor student volunteers and support case work.

Skills

Fluency in Southeast Asian languages

Strong communication skills

Proficient in Microsoft Office

Experience with LegalServer

Organizational skills

Education

J.D. degree and licensed attorney under the MN State Bar

Tools

LegalServer

Job description

Overview

Title: Staff Attorney

Position Type: Regular Full-Time (37.50 hours per week), Exempt

Location: Flexible work environment with hybrid & in‑office options; based out of Twin Cities Metro Area.

The Southeast Asian Defense Response Project Staff Attorney will work in close partnership with Southeast Asian Freedom Network, Man Forward, and Transforming Generations to increase legal access and resources to our Southeast Asian Communities in Minnesota. The Staff Attorney is responsible for legal representation in a variety of immigration matters, including immigration court cases, and for providing information, technical assistance, outreach, and training on behalf of income‑eligible persons.

Compensation & Benefits

Starting Salary: $76,320 for a licensed attorney, depending on experience & according to scale.

• The opportunity to make an impact in the community by enhancing opportunities for immigrants and refugees in Minnesota and North Dakota.
• Work‑life harmony. This role offers the flexibility to blend remote work with in‑office collaboration.
• Paid leave including the following:
  • Paid Time Off – Employees earn 12.5 hours per month during the first 2 years (4 weeks), 15.625 per month in years 2‑5 (5 weeks), and 18.75 per month after 5 years (6 weeks). Employees can carry up to 80 hours of unused leave from year to year.
  • Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST): In compliance with Minnesota law, ILCM will provide employees with up to 80 hours sick and safe leave, or pro‑rated upon commencement of employment. Unused sick and safe time will not be carried over from one calendar year to the next, nor will it be paid out at year end.
  • Holiday Leave: Most major federal holidays off including the days between Christmas Eve and New Years Day. ILCM offers one floating holiday and the opportunity to exchange holidays that don’t fall within an employee's religious or cultural background.
  • Paid Family & Medical Leave: In compliance with Minnesota statute. See Handbook and Benefits Guide for more information.
• Competitive benefits include:
  • Medical, dental and vision insurance (with employer contributions)
  • Employer‑paid life and disability coverage (voluntary life insurance available at employee cost)
  • SIMPLE IRA retirement plan with employer match
  • FSA and HSA with employer contributions (HSA is only available for employees enrolled in our HSA medical plan)
  • Pet Benefits & Pet Discount Program with employer contributions
  • A remote connectivity stipend of $50/month
  • Payment for organizational/membership dues
  • Training/professional development budget of $500/year

Responsibilities

Representation 65%

• With support of intake team and legal assistants, screen clients for eligibility for services and immigration relief.
• Prepare and submit written pleadings and motions to the Immigration Court in Fort Snelling, MN.
• Represent detained clients in their request for bond.
• Draft and file appropriate applications for relief from removal (i.e. cancellation of removal, asylum, waiver applications, motions to reopen, among others).
• Draft and file appropriate applications with USCIS for clients in removal proceedings (i.e. SIJS, TVPRA asylum, TPS, EADs, among others).
• Meet with clients at detention facilities or remotely.
• Prepare clients and witnesses for individual hearings.
• Represent clients (where appropriate) to the Board of Immigration Appeals.
• Maintain client data in compliance with organization protocols, grant and contract requirements, and ethical obligations.

Outreach 20%

• In partnership with Southeast Asian Freedom Network, Transforming Generations, and Man Forward, create and join outreach opportunities to connect with our Southeast Asian immigrant communities in Minnesota.
• Conduct regular presentations and consultations at partner sites.
• Conduct consultations with and provide advice to potential clients, including individuals in immigration detention.
• Participate in legal advice clinics.
• Support ILCM’s detention line by taking calls, advising clients, and supervising volunteers and interns on the line.

Mentorship 5%

• Mentor student volunteers and staff members on legal issues and crimmigration topics.
• Work with interns on case work and projects.
• Partner with attorneys from other ILCM units to support removal side of otherwise affirmative cases.
• Train and update staff on changes in legal and policy landscape impacting the Southeast Asian Community in Minnesota.

Secondary Responsibilities 10%

• Complete time records for financial management, grant reporting, and compliance purposes.
• Participate in legal team meetings, case reviews, and monthly all‑staff meetings.
• Engage in training and professional development opportunities as assigned or required.
• Assist with proposal development and grant reporting as needed.
• Assist with unscheduled walk‑in clients, as needed.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Qualifications

• J.D. degree and licensed attorney under the MN State Bar.
• Minimum of 1‑3 years’ experience with immigration law and immigration court matters, preferred.
• Second language fluency in language spoken by Minnesota Southeast Asian client community (i.e., Hmong, Karen, Vietnamese, etc.) required.
• Ability to travel to partner organizations, detention centers, and trusted locations 3‑5 times per month (up to 100 miles from ILCM St. Paul office), to meet with clients, and to conduct outreach.
• Proficient in all Microsoft programs such as Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams and SharePoint.
• Experience with LegalServer and/or other timekeeping programs preferred.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Able to work well cross‑departmentally, handle multiple assignments and meet deadlines.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem‑solving abilities.
• Familiarity with diverse refugee and immigrant communities, community agencies, and resources.
• Passion for serving the low‑income immigrant and refugee community and experience working with persons of diverse economic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds.

Application Process

Please send a letter of interest or cover letter and resume to: [e-mail]. Open until filled. Qualified candidates will be contacted on a rolling basis for an initial screening call and will be offered more information on the rest of the process then.

If you require a reasonable accommodation for completing this application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in our employee selection process, please contact Diego Rivera at [e-mail]. Please direct all other inquiries to [e-mail].

Not sure you meet all the qualifications? Let us decide! Research shows that members of under‑represented groups tend to not apply to jobs when they think they may not meet every qualification, when, in fact, they often do! We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and strongly encourage you to apply.

Equal Opportunity Employment

ILCM is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a work environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. ILCM provides equal opportunity to all applicants for employment in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws and will not refuse to hire any qualified individual, or otherwise discriminate against any individual by reason of an employee’s race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, familial status, status with regard to public assistance, or any other characteristic protected by law. ILCM is committed to providing all reasonable accommodations required by law to qualified individuals with disabilities who are applicants for employment and/or who are employed at ILCM.