Vacancy expired!
Half-Time Legal Assistant for New Nonprofit Immigration Law Clinic
20 Hours Per Week; Tue-Fri 9am-2pm (flex, TBD); some evening and weekend events
The Legal Clinic (TLC) is a non-profit organization, whose mission is to restore hope, dignity, and justice for low-income immigrants through high-quality immigration legal services, education and advocacy. TLC is in its first year of operation, and is staffed by a director, an immigration attorney, and supported by an active board of directors and volunteers. TLC is not a faith-based organization, but is part of the national Justice for Our Neighbors ministry program (njfon.org) and is housed in a Methodist church. Over 18 JFON sites around the U.S. serve 5,000 immigrants annually. TLC is an equal opportunity employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic background, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, or disability.
RESPONSIBILITIES: The Legal Assistant is responsible for providing legal support to the Staff Attorney as well as administrative assistance in the TLC office. The Assistant will support senior staff with casework and internal legal team communication and coordination. Under the supervision of the Attorney, the Assistant will carry out assigned tasks to maintain efficient, high-quality legal office operations for TLC and act as reception support, and other client and volunteer service activities. This is an excellent opportunity to learn about immigration legal services and do great work for the community!
MAJOR DUTIES OF THE POSITION:
I. Legal Service Support
1. Under the supervision of the Staff Attorney, assist in preparing forms, statements, affidavits, cover letters, motions, petitions, briefs, and appeals.
2. Perform research related to client casework, including, obtaining statistics and information related in general to any immigration issue, and reviewing government-based websites related to immigration law or policy.
3. Help coordinate/secure language translation of forms, letters, declarations, and foreign documents.
4. Prepare for United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) interviews, including, general file review and summary, arranging for interpretive services, drafting of witness questions and trial preparation documents, and attendance at both interviews and hearings when necessary.
5. Assist with client communication and document client interactions and case progress updates in the client case management system.
6. Assist in making copies and scans, organizing and maintaining case files, and mailing applications to USCIS as directed.
II. Administrative Support
1. Support the Staff Attorney with special directives and action steps resulting from internal legal team meetings.
2. Assist in maintaining internal procedures manual for TLC legal services.
3. Provide secondary support with other organizational operations tasks including reception coverage support, client intake, and other administrative tasks as needed.
4. Assist with preparing, tracking, copying and sending outgoing mail when necessary.
5. Assist in coordinating, preparing for, and overseeing TLC intern and volunteer projects and eents.
6. Assist in planning, coordinating, and executing special projects such as digitalizing and storing client files.
III. Special Projects
1. Occasionally be requested to assist other staff members with duties as assigned.
2. Represent TLC at community events and functions, when assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Excellent communication, both written and verbal.
Associates or Bachelors degree, or higher, preferred.
Previous administrative assistant or legal assistant experience preferred.
Ability to work sensitively with colleagues and clients having diverse personalities, lifestyles, cultures, faiths, and backgrounds.
Ability to maintain client confidentiality and communicate with professionalism and courtesy.
Ability to take initiative, multi-task, meet deadlines, and work well under pressure.
Must be detailed oriented and possess superb organizational skills.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office software package such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Publisher. Ability to learn legal case management software.
Ability to speak in one or more languages aside from English desired, but not required.
Familiarity with communities in Hawaii, and/or immigrant communities is desired.
TO APPLY: Please email your resume and cover letter to jobs@thelegalclinichawaii.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis through early January 2020.
The Legal Clinic is an equal opportunity employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic background, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, or disability.
