Staff Attorney - Agricultural Worker and Immigrant Rights

National Legal Aid & Defender Association; Dayton (OH); Hybrid; USD 61,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Annual leave

Sick leave

Supplemental language compensation

Loan repayment assistance forAttorneys

Paid parental leave

Job summary

ABLE, based in Dayton, Ohio, seeks a Staff Attorney for the Agricultural Worker and Immigrant Rights Practice Group to represent clients in immigration matters before USCIS, EOIR, and courts.

You will work to protect civil rights, provide direct representation, and collaborate on systemic advocacy while engaging with immigrant communities and partners.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice law in Ohio or eligible for admission by motion.
• Strong commitment to ABLE's mission and serving immigrant communities.
• Excellent legal research, writing, analytical, negotiation, and advocacy skills.
• Willingness to travel throughout ABLE's service area.
• Fluency in Spanish, French, or Haitian Creole.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality immigration representation before USCIS, EOIR, and courts.
• Handle U Visas, T Visas, asylum, SIJS, VAWA self-petitions, and related relief.
• Collaborate with AIR litigation team on civil rights and systemic advocacy.
• Conduct client interviews, research, case preparation, negotiations, and hearings.
• Coordinate pro se asylum clinics and community legal clinics.
• Engage with immigrant communities and service providers to build partnerships.
• Educate community members about immigration rights and resources.
• Maintain current knowledge of immigration law and procedures.
• Manage a caseload and advocacy projects within skill level.
• Participate in Practice Group initiatives.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Oral advocacy

Negotiation

Interpersonal skills

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

Position Description

Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. (ABLE) is a regional non‑profit law firm. Our mission is to pursue justice and equity, facilitate access to opportunities for people with low incomes through passionate legal representation, and provide steadfast advocacy for systemic reform. ABLE is affiliated with Legal Aid of Western Ohio (LAWO), also a regional non‑profit law firm that provides legal assistance.

Position Description

Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. (ABLE) is a regional non‑profit law firm. Our mission is to pursue justice and equity, facilitate access to opportunities for people with low incomes through passionate legal representation, and provide steadfast advocacy for systemic reform. ABLE is affiliated with Legal Aid of Western Ohio (LAWO), also a regional non‑profit law firm that provides legal assistance.

Job Summary

The Agricultural Worker and Immigrant Rights (AIR) Practice Group provides high‑quality legal representation to immigrants and agricultural workers throughout Ohio while advocating for systemic change to protect the rights of vulnerable communities. ABLE is seeking a passionate Staff Attorney to represent clients in immigration and immigration‑related civil rights matters before administrative agencies and state and federal courts.

This position will serve as the primary AIR attorney representing clients in Springfield and Lima during a pivotal period for immigration advocacy in these communities. Springfield has become a focal point of the national conversation surrounding immigration, creating a unique opportunity for an attorney committed to advancing justice for immigrant communities. The attorney will provide direct legal representation in a variety of humanitarian immigration matters while collaborating with AIR's litigation team on systemic advocacy to protect civil and due process rights.

The successful candidate will work closely with attorneys, paralegals, community partners, and client groups to provide legal services, conduct outreach, and build trusted relationships within immigrant communities. This position is ideal for an attorney who is passionate about combining direct representation with community engagement and impact litigation to advance equity and justice.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES (other Duties As Assigned)

• Provide high‑quality legal representation to eligible clients in immigration matters before USCIS, EOIR, and when appropriate, state and federal courts.
• Represent clients in matters including U Visas, T Visas, affirmative and defensive asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), VAWA self‑petitions, and related immigration relief.
• Collaborate with the AIR litigation team to advance civil rights and due process protections through strategic litigation and systemic advocacy.
• Conduct client interviews, legal research, case preparation, negotiations, and hearings.
• Coordinate and participate in pro se asylum clinics and other community legal clinics based on client needs.
• Conduct outreach and build collaborative relationships with immigrant communities, community organizations, and service providers.
• Educate community members regarding immigration rights and available legal resources.
• Maintain a strong working knowledge of immigration law, immigration court procedures, and relevant federal and state laws.
• Handle a reasonable caseload and advocacy projects commensurate with skill and experience.
• Participate in Practice Group initiatives that support ABLE's Strategic Advocacy Initiatives.
• Complete required administrative tasks, including case management, timekeeping, and reporting requirements.

Scope & Impact

The Staff Attorney plays a vital role in protecting the legal rights of immigrants and advancing equal access to justice throughout western Ohio. Through direct representation, community outreach, and systemic advocacy, this position helps safeguard vulnerable populations while strengthening relationships with immigrant communities and promoting meaningful policy change.

The successful candidate must have the following skills and experience:

Minimum Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice law in Ohio or eligible for admission by motion, temporary certification, or passage of the next Ohio bar examination.
• Strong commitment to ABLE's mission, Strategic Advocacy Initiatives, and serving immigrant and low‑income communities.
• Excellent legal research, writing, analytical, negotiation, and oral advocacy skills.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, professionalism, and initiative while managing a diverse caseload.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust among diverse cultural and linguistic communities.
• Ability and willingness to travel throughout ABLE's service area.
• Fluency in Spanish, French, or Haitian Creole

Preferred Requirements

• Experience practicing immigration law.
• Experience representing clients before USCIS and EOIR.
• Experience conducting community outreach and building partnerships with community organizations.
• Experience working with immigrant, refugee, or underserved populations.

Supervisory Responsibilities

May supervise paralegals or legal assistants as assigned.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

Work is performed in a normal office environment.

Requires frequent sitting, keyboarding, and face‑to‑face or phone communication.

Must possess a valid driver's license and be insurable.

May require walking several blocks or overnight travel.

New staff are required to work in the office full‑time during their first 90 days of employment. Following this onboarding period, a hybrid work schedule is available with a minimum of two in‑office days per week.

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND WORK LOCATION

ABLE is committed to providing an equitable work environment, including a commitment to pay equity. The annual salary range for this position starts at $68,000.00. ABLE offers comprehensive fringe benefits, including health insurance, annual leave, sick leave, supplemental language compensation, loan repayment assistance for attorneys through the Ohio Access to Justice Foundation and paid parental leave.

• Health insurance
• Annual leave
• Sick leave
• Supplemental language compensation
• Loan repayment assistance for attorneys through the Ohio Access to Justice Foundation
• Paid parental leave

This position is based out of our Dayton, Ohio office. The successful candidate will primarily serve clients in Springfield, Lima, and Dayton, with travel required to those communities, courts, and USCIS offices as necessary.

OTHER DUTIES

Please note this job posting is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the incumbent for this job. ABLE can revise or eliminate the requirements and responsibilities of this position at any time to reflect its needs and objectives. ABLE will notify affected employees of any changes and the effective date of such changes.

ABLE is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to create an environment welcoming to all individuals. Applicants requiring accommodation for the interview/application process should contact the recruitment coordinator at [e-mail].