Immigration Attorney

Job Description

About CCC:

Since 1923, Commonwealth Catholic Charities (CCC)has provided life-changing human services to vulnerable individuals and families throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. CCC offers quality and compassionate human services to all people, especially the most vulnerable, regardless of faith. We are passionate about the work we do in our communities, providing 31 critical services at 11 locations throughout Virginia.

SUMMARY:

The Immigration Attorney will carry out all key contract activities related to legal services for unaccompanied children. The attorney will prepare cases for children in or recently released from ORR custody, up to age 18. Representation includes all immigration-related matters, such as state court proceedings for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), removal defense, appeals, Know Your Rights presentations, and legal screenings. Other legal assistance for unrepresented children may include legal referrals or referrals to supportive services (, child advocates or social services); individual or group preparation for immigration court appearances; assistance with immigration-related custody or placement matters (such as release requests for children aging out of ORR custody); and support with filing immigration paperwork, including Change of Venue, Change of Address, employment authorization documents (EADs), or I-94 corrections.

The position requires travel throughout Hampton Roads, Richmond, and to the Immigration Court (EOIR) in Arlington.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Coordinate all aspects of a minor's case, including client communication, relevant research, drafting personal statements, preparing immigration forms, writing briefs, drafting court motions and orders, and advocacy with law enforcement and other agencies.

Conduct regular visits with children in ORR custody and maintain documentation of contact

Assist in the supervision of volunteers and student interns, solicit support from volunteer attorneys, paralegals, and others to assist with the provision of services when necessary.

Supervise the work of the legal fellow, ensuring the quality and ethical handling of their cases

Hold biweekly supervisory meetings with legal team to discuss cases and ensure high-quality service provision

Submit reports and invoices on time and with accuracy

Maintain organized case files using a combination of physical and digital file management strategies

Participate as needed in agency and program-wide data collection and strategic planning.

Participate in meetings with immigration legal service community-based organizations.

Participate on a periodic basis in naturalization workshops.

Ensure client fees are assessed and collected per retainer agreements.

Maintain client database and files and accordance with program/legal requirements and CCC guidelines.

Comply with all legal and ethical standards.

Ability to work both independently and collaboratively to manage a substantial workload with deadline pressures.

Competence in communicating and interacting with others of diverse cultural, geographic, and economic backgrounds in a professional and compassionate manner, including interacting with individuals experiencing substantial levels of emotional, physical, financial, or other hardship.

Familiar with and/or committed to trauma-informed legal services

Represents the Agency in the community and workplace in a professional and ethical manner.

Demonstrates sensitivity to the service population's cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.

Demonstrates strong interpersonal, decision-making, problem-solving, oral, and written skills.

Utilizes a basic knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.

Qualifications
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: Juris Doctor degree and admission to the VA Bar. Maintain bar membership through continuing education. Minimum of one year of experience practicing family-based and/or humanitarian immigration law.

Work environment: work conditions are very flexible, on call; as needed

The candidate must be:

Licensed and in good standing with the Virginia Bar; or

Accredited by the Department of Justice; or

A law graduate working under attorney supervision in accordance with requirements to appear before the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR).

ADDTITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Because the contract requires Legal Service Providers (LSPs) to comply with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) , staff must perform all contract-related work from within the United States.

Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish is strongly preferred.

Candidates must be trained on relevant contract requirements, including local practice norms and stakeholder expectations. A background check, as required by ORR policy, must be completed prior to unsupervised direct service with children.

Bilingual in English and Spanish strongly preferred. Spanish Immersion language courses, online courses, tutoring and other Spanish resources are available to improve the overall capacity of the program to serve Spanish speaking clients.

Turn your passion for helping others into a meaningful career with CCC. Apply now at Commonwealth Catholic Charities is an equal opportunity employer and a drug free workplace.