Legal Advocate

About the role

The Tahirih Justice Center is a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to serving women, girls, and all immigrant survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking, and other violence. Our services include free legal support and social services to secure rights and build stable lives, expert training, outreach, and policy advocacy.

Responsibilities

• Support legal team in preparing immigration forms and filings and assembling application packets for supervisor review prior to submission.
• Cook up the recruitment and onboarding process for volunteer interpreters/translators and legal appointment accompaniment volunteers.
• Organize and engage in outreach activities and information sessions to empower survivors in safety planning and accessing legal services.
• Provide administrative support (processing legal case mail, mailing, copying, answering phones, confirming biometrics appointments, etc.).
• Open and close client files and prepare retainer agreements and 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.
• 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, immigration benefits services, and the criminal justice process.
• Provide general program support such as training and mentoring support to interns, staff and volunteers, and other duties assigned by the Managing Attorney.
• Accompany clients to legal case appointments, such as biometrics appointments, as needed.
• Participate in an interdisciplinary legal team that centers and empowers Tahirih’s clients throughout the course of representation.
• 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 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.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or associate degree with relevant work experience.
• Fluent in English and Spanish (proven spoken, written, and reading comprehension).
• At least 1 year of experience serving as a paralegal or legal advocate, ideally in an immigration-focused practice or law firm.
• Great written advocacy and oral presentation skills.
• Responsible, self-initiating, and focused, with proven ability to work collaboratively in a team-based environment.
• Competency with technology and strong computer skills; demonstrated skill in Microsoft Suite and Adobe products.
• 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.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree or associate degree with relevant work experience.
• Language Proficiency: Fluent in English and Spanish (proven spoken, written, and reading comprehension).
• Experience: At least 1 year of experience serving as a paralegal or legal advocate, ideally in an immigration-focused practice or law firm.
• Skills: Great written advocacy and oral presentation skills, responsible, self-initiating, and focused, with proven ability to work collaboratively in a team-based environment, competency with technology and strong computer skills; demonstrated skill in Microsoft Suite and Adobe products, 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.
• Other: 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.

Benefits

Annual salary and benefits: The salary range for this role is $60,000 - $66,000 per year, with actual salary commensurate with experience. We consider skills, experience and internal equity in determining compensation and use a consultative process to identify where candidates fall inside the posted range. Generous benefits include employee and dependent health, vision and dental insurance (Tahirih contributes 100% of the premium for employees and 60% for dependents); paid parking; 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 generous self-managed leave benefit inclusive of vacation, sick and holidays, including office closure the week between Christmas and New Year’s.

How to Apply

Please submit a resume and a cover letter.