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Catholic Charities is looking for the right people who wish to serve their community as a part of a family-friendly organization doing good within the Houston-Galveston area. We attract and retain the best talent by investing in our employees. People of all faiths help people in need.

Join our team as a Staff Attorney: Pro-Bono Coordinator in the Unaccompanied Children program! The Staff Attorney is responsible for providing strategic outreach and community engagement, pro se legal support, and assigning legal matters to pro bono attorneys. They will also provide direct representation for immigrants in removal proceedings. Immediate legal representation includes entering an appearance as the attorney of record on matters and in proceedings before the USCIS, Asylum Office, State, Federal and Immigration Courts, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, agencies within the Department of Homeland Security, Department of State, as well as appellate agencies such as the Administrative Appeals Office and Board of Immigration Appeals. The Pro Bono Coordinator will provide pro se support and services to clients by delivering targeted outreach, legal education, legal workshops, legal intake, and legal research. They will also recruit and train pro bono attorneys representing unaccompanied children in removal proceedings.

We are currently offering a $1,000 sign-on bonus!

The Expertise We're Looking For

 

• You have a Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) degree from an ABA accredited law school

• You are licensed to practice law in the State of Texas; or

• You have an active license from another U.S. jurisdiction and be eligible to waive into the State Bar of Texas within 12 months of hire.

• You are Bilingual (English/Spanish)

The Skills and Assets You Bring, and More

• You are detail-oriented and organized with excellent time management and collaboration skills

• You have excellent legal research and writing skills.

• You have excellent verbal and written communication and negotiation skills.

• You can handle a high-volume caseload and multiple deadlines simultaneously.

• You are knowledgeable and proficient in basic typing skills and computer applications.

• You demonstrate multi-cultural skills and sensitivity.

• You have strong analytical, conceptual, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

What you Deliver

 

• You will be a Direct Representation provided to immigrant clients before the USCIS, Asylum Office, or Immigration Court on various immigration matters, including removal defense. Conduct legal intakes and screening; interview the client and others who can provide information or statement in furtherance of the principal client’s immigration matters; draft, prepare and assemble relevant immigration petitions and case summaries for pro bono recruitment; conduct legal research; write memoranda of law, motions or briefs in support of applications and petitions filed before USCIS, Asylum office, state court, Immigration, and Federal Courts, the Board of Immigration Appeals, Administrative Appeals Office, EOIR and other immigration agencies; prepare the client for interviews and court hearings.

• You will maintain client physical and electronic files for direct representation of clients and all Pro Bono attorney-client cases according to program data and documentation requirements, including case notes, correspondence, filings, funder data completion, calendars, and dockets.

• You will coordinate outreach campaigns and events targeting the immigrant community. You join Charles by presenting and performing legal consultations. You participate in program and agency community legal education and outreach efforts, particularly as they relate to issues of immigration law, providing direct information to prospective clients, attending information sessions on asylum, deportation, and other immigration relief, and conduct legal workshops and engage pro bono counsel in the provision of legal services.

• You will identify policy issues and coordinate with other units within Cabrini Center and the immigration bar in advancing the advocacy agenda to promote immigrant rights. Pro Bono Recruitment and Mentoring: Develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure that the Cabrini Center provides high-quality Pro Bono and direct legal services to clients and provide periodic training to Cabrini staff to maintain quality and standard of service. Work with Cabrini Leadership to evaluate program efficacy and engage in priority setting in line with community needs.

• You will comply with all contract requirements. Provide data and statistical information for the grant, contract, and other reporting purposes. Provide accurate and timely monthly data, time logs, and reports for internal use, funder use, and other entity use. Participate in training, webinars, meetings, calls, etc., as required by funders.

• You will participate in mandatory unit and Cabrini staff meetings, stakeholder meetings, pro bono recruitment opportunities, and other agency meetings. Participate in calls and conferences organized by funders, city-wide advocacy groups, local service providers, and national support centers.

• You will perform other duties as assigned, such as assisting and training staff in legal and regulatory changes, participating in coalition activities, participating in staff retreats, United Way activities, agency fairs, and speaking engagements, assisting with special organizational projects/events, and any other duties.

 

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