HRI seeks a passionate human rights advocate to join our team as Staff Attorney. The Staff Attorney will provide legal representation through mentoring HRI pro bono attorneys and through direct legal representation for HRI clients seeking the following relief: asylum, VAWA for survivors of domestic violence, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), U or T visas, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), permanent residence, and/or naturalization.

The Staff Attorney will display competency and sensitivity in representing low socioeconomic and limited-English-proficient clients and in providing trauma-informed services.

ABOUT HRI:

For the past 20 years, HRI has provided legal and critical social services for courageous and resilient immigrant survivors of human rights abuses from all over the world. HRI has a budget of approximately $1.475M, funded primarily through private-sector giving. We use the Consultation and Proximity (CAP) and MOCHA models for individual and programmatic decision-making. We conduct much of our organizational decision-making through staff-led committee recommendations and consensus processes, which often include thinking periods, opportunity for written comment, anonymous polling, and facilitated discussion. HRI is in the midst of an organizational transformation and growth process, which began this spring with an all-staff participatory budgeting process and staff-led development of a transparent, equitable compensation structure, and continues in coming months as a strategic planning process and internally-focused race equity work.

HRI is currently following a safety protocol due to COVID-19. For more information about how this impacts HRI staff, please click here.

Staff Attorney Responsibilities:

Pro Bono Program Support (70%)

• Conduct consultations and evaluation of new cases for pro bono placement.
• Provide mentorship on cases that have been assigned to pro bono attorneys:
  • Develop case strategy and conduct legal research on cases assigned to pro bono attorneys.
  • Provide guidance to pro bono attorneys throughout preparation of filings.
  • Review all filings prior to submission to the Immigration Court, USCIS, or Texas state courts.
  • Assist in preparing pro bono attorneys and clients for hearings and interviews before the Immigration Court, USCIS, and Texas state courts.
• Assist with developing and updating training materials and samples for HRI pro bono attorneys.
• With supervision, assist with recruitment and training of pro bono attorneys.
• Maintain case files both in physical files and HRI’s online database.
• Complete administrative tasks associated with cases.

Direct Representation (25%)

• Conduct consultations and evaluation of new cases for direct representation.
• Complete typical steps of direct legal representation including developing case strategy, conducting legal research, working with clients to prepare case filings, preparing for and representing clients in hearings and interviews before the Immigration Court, USCIS, and Texas state courts.
• Maintain case files both in physical files and HRI’s online database.
• Complete administrative tasks associated with cases.

Legal Outreach (5%)

• Maintain and enhance legal expertise through participation in and presentation of educational programs and CLEs.
• Assist with HRI’s Advocacy Program and other outreach efforts.
• Attend mandatory trainings and conference calls related to work with the Vera Institute of Justice.
• Maintain alliances with education entities, community groups, and other organizations.
• Participate in HRI’s fundraising efforts.
• Speak to various groups about HRI.

Qualifications

Essential Job Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor and licensed to practice law in Texas is required before hiring.
• Bilingual language skills are required:
  • Preferred: Spanish
  • Also considered: French, Arabic or Amharic
• 1-2 years of experience in immigration law and/or removal defense.

• Organized, flexible, able to multi-task, and ability to manage a high case load with time-management skills.

• Ability to address complex legal problems strategically utilizing a variety of approaches, including litigation, policy advocacy, and communications.
• Strong research, writing, and analytical skills.
• Strong public speaking skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Proficiency using Microsoft suite products and willingness to learn and use cloud-based case management software.

Preferred Job Qualifications:

• Appellate litigation experience.
• Experience with Texas family law.
• Experience working with survivors of trauma.
• Experience working with children.

Salary and Benefits

 The position is a full-time exempt position. Salary range is $53,000 – $68,000, commensurate with experience and in accordance with HRI’s salary scale. Benefits include employer-paid health care, 17 days of paid time off, and other benefits.

Physical Demands

• Able to work on a computer, including sitting at a desk, for extended periods of time. Able to read a computer screen. Manual dexterity to operate a keyboard.
• Able to speak clearly on the phone and in person.
• Able to occasionally lift objects weighing up to 10 pounds.

Application Instructions

 To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, and a list of at least three professional references to Pilar Ferguson at pferguson@hrionline.org.

Human Rights Initiative of North Texas is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, disability, marital status, or veteran status.  Candidates from diverse backgrounds, including candidates from immigrant backgrounds, are strongly encouraged to apply.