Staff Attorney, Nationalities Service Center

Posted by on September 12, 2011

Staff Attorney, Nationalities Service Center

Posted on: August 24, 2011

Nationalities Service Center (NSC) is a non-profit organization that provides social, educational and legal services to immigrants and refugees in the Greater Philadelphia area. Our strength lies in the diversity of our clients and services. Since NSC’s founding in 1921, our mission has been to help immigrants and refugees participate fully in American society. Each year, we help approximately 4,000 individuals from over 90 countries. We implement this mission by meeting five main objectives:

Protecting the legal rights of all immigrants
Empowering immigrants and refugees, including the most vulnerable, on the path toward social adjustment
Strengthening immigrant communities
Advocating for fair and humane policies toward immigrants and refugees
Promoting the value of diversity in the Philadelphia region

Position Summary

The Staff Attorney will provide direct legal services in immigration law matters. The Staff Attorney will work as a member of NSC’s Legal Services Department and represent clients in immigration court hearings, appeals before the BIA and federal court, and filings with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and U.S. Department of State. The Staff Attorney will conduct client consultations and determine appropriate legal strategies. The Staff Attorney will perform outreach to educate the community on immigration issues and NSC’s services.

The Staff Attorney has internal contacts with the entire administrative and programmatic staff and external contact with clients, court officials, government workers and the general community. The Staff Attorney has access to confidential NSC information and is expected to handle such information with integrity and professionalism. The Staff Attorney has regular contact with members of the community and is expected to represent NSC in a professional manner.

The Staff Attorney reports directly to the Director of Legal Services and participates in departmental activities as necessary.

Essential Functions

Represent clients in removal proceedings before EOIR Immigration Courts, Board of Immigration Appeals, and federal court.
Prepare cases for court litigation, includes meeting and corresponding with clients and witnesses, and preparing written motions and briefs.
Perform legal research and use independent judgment and decision-making to determine appropriate strategy for removal cases and affirmative applications to administrative agencies.
Represent clients at interviews before USCIS, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), meet with clients to prepare applications and responses, and respond to requests for evidence.
Prepare administrative filings, including affirmative filings with USCIS, CBP, ICE and U.S. Dept. of State.
Supervise and direct the work of legal assistants.
Attend and participate in weekly legal services department staff meetings and case review meetings.
Meet with potential clients for consultation appointments, determine appropriate course of action, and prepare initial case files.
Perform general office administration duties.
Perform community outreach activities as directed.
Maintain case files in complete, professional manner in accordance with NSC procedures and legal requirements.
Adhere to all applicable legal and ethical standards.
Maintain regular communication with clients in accordance with applicable ethical standards and best practices.

Non-Essential Functions

Attend relevant workshops or join professional groups as necessary to maintain professional knowledge and licensure.
Adhere to NSC’s confidentiality guidelines and ensure the appropriate handling of sensitive information.
Facilitate and attend relevant staff meetings to promote communication and execution of goals.
Complete special projects specific to the function of the department or as needed as directed by the Director of Legal Services.
Other duties as assigned within the scope of position expectations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Understanding of NSC Legal Services Department goals and objectives and ability to work and contribute as part of a larger team.
Knowledge of immigration law and procedures, legal ethics, and interrelationship of immigration law and other areas of law such as criminal and family.
Ability to perform legal research and understand the law and relevant procedures in order to develop a strategy and/or argument that is persuasive.
Ability to present an argument and advocate for and influence others in court.
Ability to manage multiple tasks by carefully setting priorities, meeting deadlines, and scheduling time efficiently.
Basic understanding of computer operations and ability to use a variety of common software programs including Microsoft Office.
Ability to effectively communicate in person, by phone, or in writing with individuals of multi-cultural backgrounds.
Ability to organize tasks in an efficient manner and follow-up and follow-through with strong attention to detail in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to work with other people through a cooperative effort.
Strong interpersonal skills as demonstrated by compassionate, courteous, cordial, cooperative, and professional interaction with diverse groups of clients, co-workers, partner agencies, social services agencies, and the general community.
Adhere to all NSC policies and procedures.
Attend all NSC in-services as required.

Experience, Education, and Licensure

Minimum Experience: Experience representing clients in immigration law matters. Foreign language fluency in Spanish or French preferred.

Minimum Education: J.D. degree from an accredited U.S. law school.

Licensure: Admission to the bar in any state.

Please email detailed letter of interest and résumé to:

Pamela Jones-Burnley
Nationalities Service Center
1216 Arch Street, 4th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107
pjones-burnley@nscphila.org

Please no phone calls. Applications will be accepted until September 15 , 2011 . NSC does not discriminate in employment because of age, sex, race, religion, national origin, and sexual orientation or for any reason not relevant to the qualifications of the position.

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