Paralegal Coordinator (Immigration Removal Defense)

Essential Functions

• Provide onboarding and training support to ImmDef’s paralegals.
• Create, update and improve internal guidance and samples for paralegal use in support of efficient case management.
• Aid in recruiting and interviewing for paralegal and legal support staff openings.
• Develop protocols and standards for paralegal onboarding and offboarding procedures.
• Evaluate new staff progress and performance during introductory and onboarding period.
• Offer substantive training and professional development on topics relevant to paralegal staff.
• Facilitate regular team meetings with paralegal teams for policy updates, announcements, training, and to field technical questions.
• Support attorneys with providing zealous, high-quality representation to people facing deportation within a dedicated, universal representation model legal team.
• Serve as point of contact for clients when attorney is not available.
• Conduct intake interviews with new clients and gather information necessary for immigration relief screenings.
• Collaborate with attorneys for effective case planning, development, and management.
• Complete immigration forms with a high level of factual accuracy and attention to detail;
• Complete Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, records requests, and other fact and document gathering tasks to support removal defense cases.
• Interview clients and family members in order to prepare declarations, letters of support, and other documents to support relief from removal.
• Aid in the administrative and substantive preparation of client application packages for bond, relief from removal, and immigration benefits.
• Under attorney supervision, prepare motions, briefs, cover letters, and other substantive court filings.
• Submit electronic and in-person filings.
• Maintain accurate digital and paper files according to ImmDef protocols.
• Consistently and accurately enter all client and case development information into our internal case management system.
• Conduct country conditions, legal, and factual research as directed by attorneys.
• Provide interpretation, translation of documents, and communication assistance for clients as needed.
• Accurately and timely submit all case data in order to comply with ImmDef’s contractual obligations.
• Complete other tasks as assigned by attorneys or the ImmDef management team.

Requirements

• Must have a BA or paralegal certificate from an ABA-accredited program.
• Must have at least one year of experience as legal support staff working under the supervision of a California licensed attorney.
• Must have at least 5 years of experience in a law office in immigration or a related field.
• At least 2 years of experience providing supervision or training preferred.
• Experience working in a non-profit and/or at a public interest law firm is helpful.
• Strong writing, research, and organizational skills required.
• Passion for social justice for immigrants required.
• DACA Recipients encouraged to apply!

Preferred Education And Experience

• Experience with deportation defense is a plus.
• Experience working with minors or persons suffering from mental competency issues is a plus.
• Experience with family, dependency, and probate court is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to work within a high-volume, busy law office is a plus.

Competencies

• Strong organizational skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated proactive approaches to problem solving.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work under pressure required.

Language Requirement

Spanish language fluency required and will be tested at time of interview.

Summary

This position is not part of the ImmDef employee union bargaining unit. Compensation starts at $30.00 - $38.00 per hour depending on experience (DOE). Schedule: ImmDef’s standard work schedule is 35 hours per week, or 70 hours per pay period. Hybrid Work Schedule: Staff in non-exempt positions at ImmDef are expected to be at an ImmDef worksite a minimum of 4 days per week, with 1 day per week available to work remotely. As a member of ImmDef’s management team, you are expected to schedule your hours and on-site attendance to maximize your availability to your team, serving as a role model for effective work habits and professional conduct.

Holidays and Paid Time Off

• 13 paid holidays
• 1-Week paid winter break between Christmas and New Years
• 15 vacation days per year
• 15 Sick Days per year

Health, Dental and Vision Insurance & FSA

• We provide a competitive benefits package designed to support the health and well-being of our employees and their families.
• Health coverage begins at the first of the month following 30 days of employment.
• We provide generous contributions toward medical, dental, and vision plans for both employees and their dependents.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Dependent Care FSAs are also available to help manage additional healthcare and childcare expenses.

401(k) Retirement Savings Plan & Employer Matching

• ImmDef staff are eligible to enroll in our 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan after completing three months of employment, allowing employees to contribute pre-tax earnings toward their retirement goals.
• Upon completion of three months of service, ImmDef will match 100% of contributions up to 4% of the employee’s eligible compensation.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As a 501(c)3, full-time ImmDef staff with qualifying student loans are eligible for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Parking.

Cell Phone Stipends

Staff members assigned to an office without free on-site parking are eligible to receive a parking stipend of up to $105 per month in actual accrued parking or transportation costs, paid through a pre-tax commuter benefit account. Staff in all offices are eligible to receive a public transportation stipend of up to $100 per month in actual accrued public transportation costs.