Job Description
Job Title: Immigration Legal Assistant
FLSA Classification : Non-Exempt
Reports To: Practice Group Director, assigned Staff Attorney
Compensation Range: $23.00 - $35.00 Hourly (Depending on experience)
Inland Counties Legal Services (ICLS) invites you to join our team of dedicated advocates in our Immigration Practice Group (IPG). The IPG provides comprehensive affirmative and defensive legal representation to low-income individuals in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Our mission is to increase access to civil justice systems, protect civil liberties, and maintain family unity. We are committed to ensuring that every individual has access to the legal support they need to live safely and with dignity.
Our work includes representing survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and other forms of gender-based violence and crimes to obtain legal status through Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petitions, battered spouse waivers, U and T visas, asylum, and Temporary Protected Status (TPS). We also represent migrant youth to obtain Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), asylum, T and U visas, and other immigration benefits.
The IPG also represents individuals seeking other immigration benefits before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) such as adjustment of status, naturalization, and employment authorization documents. Our removal defense work includes full-scope representation to both detained and non-detained individuals and families in bond and removal proceedings.
By joining ICLS, you will:
- Make a significant impact on the lives of individuals and families seeking humanitarian relief and facing removal.
- Work on complex and meaningful cases that influence the landscape of immigration law.
- Collaborate with a passionate team of legal professionals dedicated to justice.
- Engage in continuous professional development and training to enhance your skills and knowledge.
As a Legal Administrative Assistant, you will work with dedicated attorneys and paralegals in the Immigration Practice Group. As a team, you will discuss case trends, litigation strategy, and have the opportunity for mentorship to strengthen your expertise in the areas of immigration relief including, but not limited to, T-Visas, U-Visas, VAWA, and other immigration law matters.
If you are ready to embrace this challenging and rewarding opportunity, we encourage you to apply to join the ICLS Immigration Practice Group. Together, we can make a lasting difference and ensure that justice is accessible to all.
Qualities: To be successful, a Legal Administrative Assistant should have the following qualities:
- Ability to understand the lives and unique struggles of people from marginalized communities. Be comfortable connecting and working with individuals of different backgrounds, including those from different racial and ethnic backgrounds, cultures, socio-economic statuses, seniors, and vulnerable populations.
- Passion for and dedication to increasing access to justice via civil legal aid, and a desire to help individuals navigate the complex immigration system.
- Strong interest in immigration laws and policies, human rights, and international affairs affecting migration trends.
- Compassionate, receptive, and approachable.
- Self-motivated and proactive.
- Determination to get the best outcome for clients.
- Flexibility and adaptability to handle diverse legal matters and shifting priorities.
- Possess a growth mindset with an interest in personal and professional development.
- Has a healthy and sustainable practice to manage stress and vicarious trauma or is willing to learn practices that may be helpful in these regards.
- Possess a growth mindset with an interest in personal and professional development, and a willingness to learn and be mentored.
Requirements & Skills: - Demonstrated commitment to working with and advocating for individuals from marginalized communities
- Trauma-informed approached to legal advocacy
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, written and oral
- Excellent organizational, and time and task/project management skills
- Keen attention to detail
- Ability to manage a heavy caseload and manage multiple tasks/projects involving individuals in crisis
- Ability to work independently and also thrive in collaborative, team-oriented environment
- Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams), Adobe, and Zoom applications
- Bilingual in Spanish. Proficiency will be tested.
Job Related Expectations Essential Duties/Responsibilities: - Provide administrative support to attorneys and legal staff including setting appointments, coordinating meetings, drafting correspondence, mail processing, photocopying, and scanning.
- Handle phone calls, emails, and correspondence on behalf of the legal team.
- Provide case support including screening applicants for legal services; filing and serving documents electronically or via mail; and conducting legal research
- Create and maintain physical and electronic case files
- Communicate with clients to collect and relay information, coordinate appointments, handle inquiries, and provide updates on case progress.
- Maintain timely and organized case notes in case management databases.
- Collaborate effectively as part of a team that includes attorneys, paralegals, volunteers, and law students
- Provide translation support, as needed
- Comply with all training, as directed by ICLS and Practice Group Director, as well as MCLE requirements for paralegals in accordance California Business and Professions Code §6450(d).
- Comply with all program regulations and funder requirements
- Assist with special projects, legal research, and additional administrative tasks as directed.
The recognition of our common humanity is the first step in fostering a diverse environment. The sum of our unique differences is greater than our individual parts. Our unique stories and experiences allow us to better solve the challenges that our community faces. Staff approach professional relationships with humility across the spectrum of diversity, including race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, immigrant status, religious identity, physical and mental disabilities, and/or limited English proficiency with a willingness to consider unique perspectives. Inland Counties Legal Services provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Job Tags
Hourly pay, Full time, Temporary work, Relief, Local area, Shift work,