Senior Staff Attorney

The Senior Immigration Attorney represents individuals in immigration-related cases, provides legal counsel and advice on immigration-related cases with a focus on humanitarian immigration benefits (political asylum, removal defense, U- and T-visas, VAWA, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status). The Immigration Attorney represents CCSWO-identified clients in legal proceedings as appropriate to complete their immigration case. The Immigration Attorney may also provide informational presentations on Immigration Law to community groups.

Essential Job Functions:

• Meet with clients to discuss immigration cases and to devise case strategies.
• Execute retainer agreements with clients that specify the parameters of the working relationship.
• Research cases by interviewing clients, reviewing evidence, and speaking with the client and ILS director to determine the best strategy for the case.
• Attend hearings and interviews on behalf of clients and advise clients following each hearing.
• Provide legal guidance and support.
• Assist clients with preparing, submitting for review, and defending applications for immigration-related benefits, including asylum applications, TPS, U- and T-visas, VAWA, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, lawful permanent residency applications, and work authorization applications.
• Maintain case files with current information and documentation in accordance with office policies and procedures.
• Participate in regular community outreach, including presentations to client communities, funders, and the wider community as well as assisting at legal workshops hosted by CCSWO.
• Keep clients informed of the status of their case and reasonably respond to client questions during the normal course of representation.
• Travel to court hearings, USCIS interviews, community outreach events, client meetings, etc.
• Comply with all federal, state, and local professional ethical rules and regulations.
• Provide guidance to ILS staff, including volunteers and interns, regarding issues pertaining to legal services being provided and relate changes in immigration law to ILS staff.
• Review, develop, or modify work plans, methods, determine work priorities. Reviews work for accuracy and completeness and returns assignments with recommendations.
• Provide oversight for the intake function of the ILS Department’s Springfield office.
• Provide supervision to the Legal Advocate and facilitate skill development.
• Participate in hiring process for vacancies in the department.
• Uphold the agency’s mission statement.
• Other duties as assigned, such as assisting director with reports to funders.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Immigration Advocate
Minimum Qualifications and Skills Required:

• License to practice law in Ohio preferred, a member of the Ohio Bar, and ability to practice in the federal immigration court system. Alternatively, license to practice in another state.
• Bachelor’s degree plus Juris Doctor.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Good analytical skills to make decisions in the best interest of the clients and the agency.
  Demonstrated ability to work with partners and groups.
• Proficient in computer-based case management systems and Microsoft Office Suite.
• State Motor Vehicle Operator’s License that meets CCSWOH current carrier guidelines.
• Familiarity with Immigration Legal Services processes and procedures.

Preferred Qualifications and Skills:

Two years of immigration law experience
Fluent in Haitian Creole
Supervisory experience

Organizational Responsibility:
Employees of Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio will have knowledge of the Catholic faith, a willingness to work for a Catholic, faith-based agency and adhere to the policies of Catholic Charities. Employees will not publicly oppose the teachings of the Catholic Faith nor publicly advocate for any position in conflict with Catholic teaching, or the specific positions of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati or the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. This requirement includes any public speech, demonstration or writing including the use of social media or other digital technologies.

Job Title

Senior Staff Attorney

Agency

Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio

Posted On

July 17, 2024