Pro Bono Paralegal

The Agency:

Americans for Immigrant Justice (AI Justice), an award-winning not-for-profit legal services organization founded in 1996 to protect and promote the basic human rights of immigrants, has a multicultural and a multilingual staff. AI Justice has represented clients from around the world and is recognized as a powerful advocate and national leader for immigrants' rights. AI Justice works closely with traditional civil rights groups as well as grassroots organizations and local, state and national government officials to affect positive change in immigration policies.

AI Justice is seeking a qualified and detail-oriented, full-time Paralegal to join our dynamic Pro Bono legal team. The ideal candidate will have strong organizational skills, excellent research abilities, and a deep understanding of legal procedures. As a Pro Bono Paralegal, you will play a crucial role in supporting our attorneys by preparing legal documents, conducting research, and managing case files. Key responsibilities include:

• Communicate with clients and maintain client contact information current.   
• Conducting intakes, individual client interviews, and follow-up meetings with clients.
• Assisting attorneys in daily case management tasks for existing and prospective clients  
• Provide translation and interpretation support services.  
• Assist, under the guidance of an attorney, with the preparation of motions, applications, and government/agency requests.  
• Entering and maintaining client information into a case management and database system, working with Legal Server and Microsoft Office platforms.
• Conduct daily case management by performing data entry, filings, and database maintenance.  
• Provide administrative support (processing mail, faxing, copying, answering phones, scheduling). 
• Monitor deadlines and calendar court hearings.  
• Research issues, such as country conditions.  
• Gather relevant information as needed in support of a case. 
• Perform other duties as assigned.     

 Qualifications:

• Experience in public interest law, particularly immigration law, preferred.
• Ability to work collaboratively with multiple attorneys and staff members.
• Directly impacted people and those with personal experience in the U.S. immigration system are highly encouraged to apply. 
• The ideal candidate for this position will be friendly, empathetic, and responsible.  
• Ability to work independently and under pressure.
• Ability to handle a high-volume caseload, with multiple deadlines and other tasks simultaneously.
• Comfortable working in a collaborative, fast-paced environment that values giving and receiving feedback.
• Enthusiastic about and committed to working alongside people from diverse cultural, educational, professional, and socioeconomic backgrounds. A demonstrated belief in diversity, inclusion, and equity for all individuals.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office 365 required. Knowledge of client database systems preferred .
• Experience working with immigrants preferred.  ·
• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Written and verbal fluency in English required. Spanish or Haitian Creole fluency strongly preferred. Speakers of Mayan languages strongly encouraged to apply.
• Must have own transportation.
• Must be willing to submit to an extensive background check, including FBI, statewide repository, and sex offender registry checks.

Education: Bachelors Degree Preferred

Location: Candidate must be based in South Florida. Position eligible for work from home, hybrid, or in-office designation in accordance with AI Justice Job Classification Policy.

Salary & Benefits:

• Salary commensurate with experience. Salary ranges from $46,000 - $71,000, depending on experience.
• AI Justice offers a comprehensive benefits package, including excellent health, vision, dental, and life insurance coverage; 15 paid days of vacation leave; 13 paid holidays; 10 paid health days; 1 personal day. After one year of employment, staff are entitled to paid parental leave and up to 3% matching employer contribution to 403(b) retirement plan. Vacation and health leave increases after two- and five-year anniversaries. Paid sabbatical available at five years.

How to apply:

AI Justice is an EOE/AA employer and we strongly encourage applications from people of color, immigrants, women, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, people with disabilities, and other historically underrepresented groups. We value strength in diversity and inclusion within our office and are actively working towards providing an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment free from discrimination for all.

Please submit cover letter, resume, and 3 references to careers@aijustice.org, with subject line "PRO BONO PARALEGAL"

Interviews: Top candidates will be invited to interview and submit references.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: OPEN UNTIL FILLED

Let me know if you have questions regarding this section. Since we've promoted many of our temps from (Legal Assistance & Hotline Receptionists) to Paralegals (and some do not have a BA) we made edits to this section. Meaning, Paralegal positions will reflect as BA preferred and not "required" this was also a request made by our D&I committee to attract a more diverse audience and offer the opportunity to others. Let me know your thoughts.  [YV1]