Senior Attorney-Litigation (Habeas Focus) , NIJC

About NIJC

The National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) advances human rights and due process for immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers through direct legal services, impact litigation, advocacy, and public education. Headquartered in Chicago with offices in Washington, DC, Indiana, and San Diego, NIJC's team of 100 attorneys, paralegals, and professionals, along with 2,500 pro bono attorneys, is at the forefront of immigration reform.

Job Summary:

In recent months, the quickly changing landscape of federal immigration law and the substantial expansion of immigration detention prompted NIJC to work in collaboration with partners in Illinois to launch a Habeas Project to increase the availability of representation in petitions for a writ of habeas corpus. The project is aimed at delivering critical and quick legal relief in the form of release from detention and/or a bond hearing in immigration court.

NIJC seeks a senior attorney to work with existing staff and a new Habeas Project Manager to oversee the Project. This will include working with referring immigration lawyers and pro se individuals to provide pro bono representation in habeas petitions. While this person will have a docket of their own habeas petitions, they will also be responsible for assisting pro bono attorneys in developing the substantive arguments. This person will work with partners to recruit and manage new pro bono attorneys, ensuring that all volunteer attorneys have completed required training, and maintaining case records. Please NOTE: This person must be in Illinois and must be eligible for admission to the bar in the Northern District of Illinois.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop legal arguments for habeas petitions and prepare templates for pro bono attorneys.
• Independently manage a docket of habeas case filings.
• In collaboration with others, oversee the work of NIJC's broader habeas practice.
• Supervise pro bono attorneys in their representation of clients in habeas matters.
• Organize, lead, and oversee regular meetings of the Illinois Habeas Project, which includes stakeholders internally and external to NIJC.
• Communicate with clients and immigration counsel about case developments.
• Liaise between legal teams, clients, and other stakeholders to ensure clear communication and accurate management of data pertaining to cases.
• Ensure timely and accurate data tracking of Habeas Project work for stakeholders and members of the public.
• Conduct and lead training on habeas practice.

Competencies:

• Legal Skills: Experience analyzing the impact of laws on vulnerable populations and advocating for improved laws and policies. Strong legal research, writing, and argumentation skills. Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, work independently, and collaborate effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Reasoning Ability: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Technology Knowledge/Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Education and/or Experience: A law degree (JD), license to practice law and at least 3 years' experience in the legal field, preferably in the field of immigration law, with a focus on removal of defense. Applicants with significantly more experience are encouraged to apply, and total years of relevant experience will be considered as part of the final salary determination. The applicant must be eligible for admission to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
• Language Skills:Fluency in English and Spanish is strongly preferred. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Demonstrated competency in public speaking and strong interpersonal skills required.
• Computer Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Windows operating systems.
• Reasoning Ability: Solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

How to Apply

Please Include:

• Your resume
• A compelling cover letter, including the following:
• Why you are interested in this specific role and in working for NIJC
• How your unique skills and experience will enable you to make a significant impact on our team and help us achieve our mission.
• A specific, brief example of a project or accomplishment from your past that best demonstrates your relevant qualifications.

Physical Abilities Statement

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time.
• The person in this position occasionally needs to move about the inside of the office to access filing cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a copy machine.

It is the policy of NIJC not to discriminate against any applicant for employment, or any employee because of age, color, sex, disability, national origin, race, religion, or veteran status.