Liman Fellowship Attorney

Liman Fellowship Attorney

Position Summary: The Liman Fellowship Attorney will engage in federal litigation and directly represent clients in before the immigration courts and immigration agencies as needed, with a focus on detained populations.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Provide direct representation for NMILC clients.
  • Perform ordinary function of legal counsel, including legal research and formulating the legal strategy for the case; conducting client interviews; appearing before immigration courts, state courts, and administrative agencies, drafting and filing court pleadings, motions, appeals, and applications for benefits.
• Conduct legal intakes and consultations, assess for eligibility for immigration-related benefits and relief, and assess cases for possible representation;
• Engage in creative federal litigation (including FOIA, mandamus, habeas, FTCAs, and other suits as needs arise);
• Deliver Know-Your-Rights presentations to community members, and participate in legal consultations at community events;
• Contribute to the overall NMILC office functioning, including participating in NMILC-wide calls and meetings and providing leadership at office events.
• Support data case management, ensuring data integrity for cases through regular cases audits, technical fluency with NMILC’s case management systems, and oversight of data upkeep and accuracy.
• Identify legal advocacy issues and legal service delivery needs and confer regularly with NMILC’s staff and partner organizations to address them.
• Represent NMILC at local stakeholder meetings, training, conferences, and events.
• Lead legal program implementation or multi-organizational program collaboration;
• Assist in determining appropriate case stories for use in reports, advocacy materials, and public education and providing expert testimony to media on current immigration law and policy topics.

 

 Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school and bar admission
• Proficient in Spanish
• Two years of experience in relevant immigration law and a law graduate or licensed attorney and two years practice in the assigned program area.
• Experience working with law firm attorneys and/or other legal volunteers
• Showing the ability to multi-task and work with a sense of urgency when needed in a dynamic, fast paced environment.
• Committed to practicing and supporting wellbeing and a work-home life balance.
• Experience working and communicating in a remote environment.
• The ability to provide trauma-informed and culturally competent legal assistance to crime victims/survivors.
• Strong skills in legal research, analysis, and writing.
• Strong leadership skills and experience managing and mentoring interns and volunteers.
• Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively on projects with lawyers, staff members across the organization, and with diverse community organizations and stakeholders.

Environment:

NMILC is an equal opportunity employer. 

Salary and Benefits:

• The Liman Fellowship position at NMILC is a full-time, exempt position with a salary of $84,240, which is considered competitive for both the field and the region.
• NMILC currently offers a generous benefits package, including:
  • 100% of Individual Employee Health, Dental, and Vision Premium paid by NMILC for the Base Plan and 50% for dependents. Buy-up Plan also available.
  • Upon meeting 401k plan eligibility requirements, access to discretionary employer match up to 10% of base salary (determined each fiscal year based on funding projections).
  • Optional Flexible Spending Account for pre-tax funds for medical and/or dependent care cost.
  • Eligibility for group benefits, such as life insurance and short-term and long-term disability insurance.
• NMILC also recognizes the value of creating an environment of positive work/life balance, acknowledging that investing in staff’s ability to take care of themselves and their families enables them to do their best work. The plan currently includes:
  • Flexible work schedule and hybrid remote work options
  • 15 paid vacation days (3 weeks) annually
  • 1 earned sick leave hour for every 30 hours worked