Pro Bono Program Staff Attorney

The Agency: 

Americans for Immigrant Justice (AI Justice – formerly FIAC), a not-for-profit law firm 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 organizations as well as with grassroots organizations and local, state, and national government officials to effect positive change in immigration policies. 

AI Justice is seeking a qualified, full-time Staff Attorney for its work mentoring pro bono attorneys representing unaccompanied immigrant children in the South Florida community. Job responsibilities include: 

• Mentoring, consultation, and technical assistance to pro bono attorneys providing legal representation in immigration proceedings before the Immigration Court, appellate proceedings before the Board of Immigration Appeals, proceedings before the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and proceedings in state family and juvenile courts to detained and non-detained children within the Miami Immigration Court jurisdiction. 
• Create materials for pro bono support, including maintaining a bank of pro bono trainings, samples, templates, and resources.  
• Keep current on changes in immigration law and procedure. 
• Conduct legal screenings of unaccompanied children to determine eligibility for legal relief and appropriateness for placement with a pro bono attorney. 
• Prepare and conduct trainings for pro bono attorneys in individual or group settings.  
• Check in regularly with pro bono attorneys on case status, deadlines, and timelines.  
• Conduct thorough review of drafts of filings and assist pro bono attorneys with preparation for interviews and court.    
• Collect case data from pro bono attorneys and ensure timely entry into case management system for reporting.  
• Work closely with pro bono attorneys from different firms and offices with different levels of legal experience.  
• Identify opportunities to recognize pro bono partners.  

Qualifications: 

• Florida Bar membership required (if not admitted to Florida bar must be willing to must sit for bar exam to be admitted within 6 months and be able to be admitted within one year of employment). 
• Minimum of two years’ experience providing immigration legal services to low-income individuals, preference for experience in Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, Asylum, VAWA, T, and/or U visa cases. 
• Fully bilingual, including reading and writing, in English and Spanish required.  
• Preference for experience in family, child welfare, and/or juvenile law related matters. 
• Experience with immigration and/or child dependency law school legal clinics is a plus.  
• Strong writing, research, and analytical skills. 
• Strong communication and group leadership skills.  
• Excellent presentation skills for outreach, education, and training. 
• Ability to collaborate with various people from different firms and offices and to handle multiple deadlines and tasks simultaneously.  
• 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. 
• Must have own transportation. 
• Must be willing to submit to an extensive background check, including FBI, statewide repository, and sex offender registry checks. 

Education: JD degree required. 

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 range is $74,600 - $129,600, commensurate with years of experience. AI Justice offers a comprehensive benefits package, including excellent health, vision, and dental, and life insurance coverage; 15 paid days of vacation leave; 13 paid holidays; 10 paid health days; 1 personal day. Tri-Rail discount commuter benefit and $50/month cell phone stipend to off-set communication expenses. After one year of employment, staff are entitled to paid parental leave and up to 3% matching employer contribution to 403(b) retirement plan with increase eligibility thereafter. 

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 resume, cover letter, and three references combined into one PDF, with subject line “PRO BONO PROGRAM STAFF ATTORNEY” to careers@aijustice.org.