Senior Appeals and RFE Attorney

Firm Mission Statement

Our mission is to change as many lives as possible by offering immigration solutions even in the most difficult cases. We look at all possible options to keep our clients in the United States with their families where they belong. We stand ready to fight even when success seems unsure because we understand how much better life can be with the dignity and peace of mind that comes with having documents.   

Position Purpose

This position will work with and help lead our teams responsible for researching, drafting and managing immigration appeals and responses to Requests for Evidence (RFE) and Notices of Intent to Deny (NOID).  We are looking for motivated and creative problem solvers.  Our appeals team is growing quickly and this candidate will have the opportunity to come in at the ground floor and help build the team and process.  The ideal candidate will have experience drafting appeal briefs and evaluating, researching and drafting responses to RFEs and NOIDs from USCIS; specific experience in family-based or humanitarian immigration cases and/or litigating Administrative Procedure Act cases a plus.

Essential Job Functions & Responsibilities

• Help build out and establish process for appealing decisions from USCIS, including the filing of Form I-290B and federal litigation options
• Analyze and evaluate communications from USCIS, including RFEs, NOIDs, and application denials
• Work with other leaders to manage appeal and RFE response team to meet all deadlines and continuously improve responses
• Provide training to non-attorney team members and help answer legal questions related to the appellate and RFE process
• Provide feedback to legal and non-legal teams to improve quality and performance
• Evaluate application materials and identify additional evidence to provide to USCIS
• Perform legal and factual research
• Draft and edit cover letters, motions, and briefs

Essential Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

• Graduate of ABA accredited law school
• Barred to practice law in state or territory of United States
• Over five-years of experience as an attorney
• At least one year of experience as an immigration attorney with substantive experience researching and drafting responses to RFEs or NOIDs
  • Experience with VAWA, T-Visa, U-Visa, Asylum, Medical DA applications a plus! But, if you are a great writer with experience in other areas of immigration, we can train you on these case types!
• Experience with drafting appeal briefs generally, but experience managing appeals or federal litigation from USCIS decisions a plus
• Experience managing a legal team
• Substantial legal research and drafting experience
• Bilingual (English and Spanish) preferred
• Excellent communication and organization skills
• State or federal clerkship a plus

Pay $145,000 - $170,000 / year