Pro Bono Immigration Attorney

Location: Dallas, New York or Washington, DC
Schedule: 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM
FLSA: Exempt
Position Type: Full-Time/Regular

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is a leading international law firm with more than 900 lawyers in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. We are currently seeking a Pro Bono Immigration Attorney working under the supervision of the Pro Bono Practice Group Leader and the Pro Bono Counsel.

The role can reside in the Dallas, New York or Washington, DC office with hybrid work capabilities and will be responsible for coordinating, supporting and promoting the firm’s Pro Bono immigration practice and related matters, to include working directly on immigration pro bono client matters as the primary legal resource and engaging with others at the firm in the delivery of immigration assistance to pro bono clients. The Pro Bono Immigration Attorney must also fulfill the needs of the Firm in a manner which is consistent with the Firm’s Core Values.

Key responsibilities of this position include:

• Coordinate all aspects of the pro bono immigration program in the firm’s U.S. offices and, when applicable, involving attorneys in offices outside of the U.S., ensuring that immigration opportunities are distributed appropriately and properly supervised, checking in with teams on pending matters, and updating current and new teams on case history and status when cases reactivate. 
• Support discrete pro bono immigration matters as the primary legal resource, as assigned and when needed, and review the work of others assigned to pro bono immigration matters. 
• Escalate and assist with complex immigration matters, consulting with Pro Bono practice leadership. 
• Assist teams in preparing for USCIS interviews and immigration hearings and trials. 
• Oversee all aspects of risk management for the immigration practice, including maintaining tracking systems, ensuring staffing remains adequate throughout the life cycle of a matter, and addressing re-staffing needs when attorneys depart.
• Review and consult on requests to open new pro bono immigration matters to ensure clients have been adequately screened, the team has sufficient information to estimate the time commitment, and attorneys understand the scope of the commitment.
• Monitor changes in immigration laws and policies, providing attorney teams with relevant, targeted legal guidance and information.
• Recommend and assist with developing procedures and best practices for the firm’s pro bono immigration practice to ensure efficient and effective use of firm resources.
• Identify and assess opportunities to increase attorney participation in the pro bono immigration practice.
• Develop and coordinate limited-scope immigration projects and clinics, including to facilitate partnerships with firm clients.
• Develop creative approaches to serving immigrant communities in need of immigration assistance in tandem with legal services organizations and other private law firms.
• Develop and maintain relationships with immigration service providers and immigration advocacy organizations in communities where the firm has offices. 
• Arrange and/or conduct training in various types of immigration matters. Develop training materials and maintain precedent for various immigration case types (e.g., sample filings, documents, and instructions).
• Create relevant reporting and presentation materials showing the impact of the pro bono immigration practice.
• Draft firm or individual attorney nominations for awards focused on pro bono immigration work.

Qualifications (Experience, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities):

• Juris Doctorate degree with at least 5 years of experience practicing humanitarian immigration law and mentoring pro bono attorneys on immigration cases
• Spanish fluency preferred but not required
• Ability to read, comprehend and follow instructions
• Excellent oral communication skills
• Strong service orientation
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to work independently, take initiative, set priorities, and see projects through completion
• Ability to meet deadlines and respond to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to handle many tasks simultaneously and with diplomacy
• Ability to work with a wide range of people; quickly establishing effective working relationships within the firm, with firm clients, and with firm vendors
• Excellent judgment and common sense
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills
• Thorough knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, MS Excel, MS Word and knowledge of conference room reservation systems
• Proficiency of equipment used on a regular basis including computers, copy machines, printers and telephones
• Ability to perform clerical skills with a high degree of accuracy
• Excellent record-keeping skills
• Commitment to professional growth

The anticipated base salary range for this position in New York and Washington, DC is $180,000, to $220,000. The actual salary offered will be based on several factors, including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, years of relevant experience, certifications or other professional licenses held, job-related knowledge and skills, business needs, and the location from which the work will be performed.  Additionally, salary or hourly wages may be only part of the total compensation package, which may also include a full range of health and other insurance benefits, financial and/or other benefits (including 401(k) eligibility), a discretionary bonus, and various paid time off benefits.  Additional information about benefits and rewards can be found here.

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