Staff Attorney- Agricultural Worker and Immigrant Rights Practice Group

Advocates for Basic Legal Equality; Toledo (OH); Hybrid; USD 61,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Annual leave

Sick leave

Loan repayment assistance for lawyers

Paid parental leave

Language compensation

Job summary

Advocates for Basic Legal Equality (ABLE) seeks a Staff Attorney for its Agricultural Worker and Immigrant Rights (AIR) Practice Group to represent clients in humanitarian immigration matters across Ohio, including U Visas, T Visas, VAWA self-petitions, SIJS, and removal defense.

The attorney will engage in outreach, education, and Know Your Rights presentations, potentially at detention centers, clinics, and community events, to advance access to justice for immigrants and low-income

Qualifications

• 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 and serving immigrant and low-income communities.
• Excellent legal research, writing, analytical, negotiation, and oral advocacy skills.
• Ability to manage a diverse caseload with professionalism and initiative.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality legal representation to eligible clients in immigration matters before USCIS, EOIR, and state/federal courts.
• Represent clients in humanitarian immigration matters including U Visas, T Visas, VAWA self-petitions, SIJS, removal defense, and related relief.
• Conduct client interviews, legal research, case preparation, negotiations, filings, and hearings.
• Assist with immigration clinics and community-based legal services.
• Attend community meetings and develop collaborative relationships with immigrant communities and service providers.
• Prepare and conduct Know Your Rights presentations and other community education programs.
• Educate community members regarding immigration rights and resources.
• Maintain a strong working knowledge of immigration law and procedures.

Skills

Legal research

Written advocacy

Interpersonal skills

Community outreach

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school

Ohio bar admission or eligibility

Job description

STAFF ATTORNEY

Agricultural Worker and Immigrant Rights Practice Group

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 provide legal representation in a variety of humanitarian immigration matters.

The Staff Attorney will represent clients in matters including U Visas, T Visas, VAWA self-petitions, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), removal defense, and other forms of humanitarian immigration relief. This may include representation of detained clients. The attorney will also assist with legal clinics, participate in community meetings and outreach activities, and conduct Know Your Rights presentations for immigrant communities.

As part of the position's outreach and education responsibilities, the Staff Attorney may also be asked to conduct Know Your Rights presentations at the Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio (CCNO) and other community or detention settings.

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 committed to serving immigrant and low-income communities through a combination of direct representation, community education, and outreach.

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 humanitarian immigration matters, including U Visas, T Visas, VAWA self-petitions, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), removal defense, bond hearings, and related forms of immigration relief.
• Conduct client interviews, legal research, case preparation, negotiations, filings, and hearings.
• Assist with and participate in immigration legal clinics and other community-based legal services.
• Attend community meetings and develop collaborative relationships with immigrant communities, community organizations, and service providers.
• Prepare and conduct Know Your Rights presentations and other community education programs.
• Conduct Know Your Rights presentations at the Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio and other detention or community facilities as needed.
• 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, legal education, and advocacy, this position helps safeguard vulnerable populations while strengthening relationships with immigrant communities.

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 ABLE’s client communities.
• Ability and willingness to travel throughout ABLE's service area.

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS

• Active license to practice law in Ohio strongly preferred.
• Spanish language fluency preferred.
• Experience or demonstrated interest in immigration law, particularly humanitarian immigration matters.
• Experience working with immigrant, refugee, or underserved populations.
• Experience conducting community outreach, legal education, or Know Your Rights presentations.
• Experience working collaboratively with community organizations and service providers.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• None

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.

This position is based out of our Toledo, Ohio office. Travel throughout ABLE's service area, including travel to courts, USCIS offices, community locations, and detention facilities, may be required.

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 recruitmentcoordinator at [e-mail].