Legal Advocate

The Tahirih Justice Center is a national, nonprofit organization that serves women, girls, and other immigrant survivors fleeing gender-based violence. Our interdisciplinary, trauma-informed model of service combines free legal and social services with bridge-building policy advocacy and research-based training and education. Our programs efficiently and effectively leverage donated professional services from a vast network of attorneys, medical professionals, and other experts to serve as many immigrant survivors as possible. By amplifying the experiences of survivors in communities, courts, and Congress, Tahirih’s mission is to create a world in which all people share equal rights and live-in safety and with dignity. [Learn more about Tahirih’s Values, including our Commitment to Anti-Racism].

At Tahirih, a Legal Advocate provides critical administrative and legal support to legal staff as the team works to walk along our clients, immigrant survivors fleeing gender-based violence. A Legal Advocate is supervised by either a licensed attorney or a Senior DOJ Accredited Representative. A Legal Advocate is responsible for preparing forms, gathering evidence, and putting application packets together for supervisor review prior to submission. A Legal Advocate is responsible for managing communications and relationships with clients, coordinating interpreters, and providing other important administrative support. A Legal Advocate will work collaboratively on an interdisciplinary client services team to ensure clients’ voices and decision-making are centered. A Legal Advocate supports legal staff in maintaining accurate client data and files to ensure grant metrics compliance.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Prepare immigration forms and filings, gather supporting evidence, and assemble application packets for supervisor review prior to submission.
• Draft correspondence, schedule client meetings, coordinate translators and interpreters.
• Provide administrative support (processing mail, copying, answering phones, scheduling).
• Open and close client files and prepare closing letters in accordance with Tahirih policies and program requirements.
• Maintain physical and electronic case files in accordance with Tahirih policies and program requirements.
• As needed, support service seeker intake process.
• As needed, support the Managing Attorney in the coordination of the local pro bono program.
• Equip survivors of violence with information and referrals on crime victim rights, the criminal justice process, and support them in navigating the immigration system and processes.
• Provide general program support and other duties assigned by the Managing Attorney.
• Attend court and USCIS interviews as needed.
• Actively participate on an interdisciplinary legal team that centers and empowers Tahirih’s clients throughout the course of representation.
• Collaborate well within a team structure.
• Communicate effectively within interdisciplinary teams, with clients, with supervisors, and with external partners.
• Support legal staff in safety planning and other supportive collaborative case work in concert with Social Services team members as part of interdisciplinary, holistic, client-centered, trauma-informed service delivery.
• Identify and prioritize tasks and projects that are mandatory grant deliverables for the office or program as a whole.
• Ensure quality control of the client database and files; maintain accurate data entry; and follow risk management procedures.
• Contribute to grant proposals, reports and periodic policy advocacy pieces, as needed.
• Adhere to organizational and local office policies, such as interdisciplinary policies and ethical standards.
• Regularly engage in professional development to hone skillset and immigration law substantive knowledge.
• Contribute to organization-wide meetings, resources and materials.
• As needed, support in the recruitment of in-house volunteers and interns.
• As needed and as capacity allows, engage in working groups and other coalitions relevant to our service delivery, including attending meetings, organizing and delivering trainings, and building relationships with service providers and law enforcement agencies.

This Job Description is not designed to cover a comprehensive listing of activities that are required of the employee. The precise duties and responsibilities of the job may change over time.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent (such as a combination of relevant education and relevant work experience)

Successful candidates generally possess:

• At least 1 year of experience serving as a paralegal or Legal Advocate, ideally in an immigration-focused practice
• Great written advocacy and presentation skills
• Responsible, self-initiating, and focused, with proven ability to work collaboratively in a team-based environment
• Strong organizational habits, time management skills, and prioritization skills
• Strong interpersonal skills, cultural humility, and cross-cultural communication skills
• Experience supporting survivors of violence and trauma and those from diverse cultural backgrounds
• Commitment to Tahirih’s foundational values and mission, and demonstrated commitment to legal services, public interest law, the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and/or social justice.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience supporting on asylum, U-Visa, T-visa, VAWA, and SIJS applications
• Fluency in Spanish

Annual salary and benefits: The salary range for this position is $46,700 - $62,400 and will be commensurate to experience and qualifications. Generous benefits include employee and dependent health, vision and dental insurance (Tahirih pays 100% of the premium for employees and 60% for dependents); a 401(k) defined contribution retirement plan; flexible work schedules; professional development including in-house training programs, staff enrichment retreats and other growth opportunities. Employees have a very generous self-managed leave benefit inclusive of vacation, sick and holidays, including an office closure the week between Christmas and New Year’s.

Tahirih Justice Center is committed to equal opportunity and promotes equity and transparency as core values. Tahirih practices inclusiveness in decision making through the use of consultation with employees throughout the organization. Tahirih does not discriminate against any person on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, ability, gender, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, arrest record or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. Applicants committed to equity from all backgrounds, experiences, abilities and identities are encouraged to apply.

Work Authorization:

Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.