Senior Staff Attorney (Immigration) - Hawaiʻi Island

Hours: Full-time (100% FTE); M-F business hours with occasional evening or weekend work.

The Legal Clinic (TLC), a Honolulu, Hawaiʻi-based nonprofit organization, is seeking candidates for a senior staff immigration attorney position, to primarily serve residents of Hawaiʻi Island. TLC’s mission is to restore hope, dignity, and justice to Hawaii’s low-income foreign-born residents through high-quality immigration legal services, education, and advocacy. TLC was incorporated as an independent, secular 501(c)3 nonprofit in 2019, and is the Hawaiʻi affiliate of the Immigration Law & Justice Network. .

RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

The senior staff attorney will provide immigration legal services to vulnerable foreign-born Hawaiʻi residents who seek assistance with a variety of humanitarian immigration legal matters. The attorney is responsible for providing direct legal services to clients, and training and supervising other staff members and volunteers in this work. The attorney is also a spokesperson for TLC and expected to share information about immigration legal issues with diverse audiences.

The staff attorney reports to a senior or managing staff attorney and communicates regularly with other TLC staff members who rely on the attorney for sharing client and case information, for strategic planning efforts, and for public education and advocacy-related activities. The attorney, in conjunction with other legal team members, will fulfill the following duties:

  • Provide legal advice and direct representation to clients on a wide range of matters before the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services, Executive Office for Immigration Review, Immigration & Customs Enforcement, and Board of Immigration Appeals, including but not limited to applications for naturalization, adjustment of status, asylum, U & T visas, TPS, DACA; removal defense, bond hearings, check-ins &interviews with the USCIS, ICE; and credible fear interviews.

  • Assess immigration cases and conduct advice and counsel.

  • Conduct meetings with detained clients at the Honolulu Federal Detention Center.

  • Assist train, supervise, and mentor legal team staff (other attorneys, legal assistants, paralegals), pro bono attorneys, interns, and other volunteers.

  • Participate in staff meetings and retreats, in community partner events and committees, and occasional board meetings and special events.

  • Participate in activities to advocate for fair immigration policies. This may include some writing of articles and/or testimonials and lobbyist registration with the State of Hawaiʻi.

  • Conduct public educational presentations, know-your-rights workshops, off-site clinics, and other events related to immigration law and the work of TLC.

  • Engage with our national affiliate networks through monthly meetings (virtual), an email list-serv, and annual conferences with other network attorneys and directors around the country.

  • Manage client documentation and assist with data reporting, funder communications, and other administrative responsibilities as needed.

  • Contribute to TLC communications like newsletters and social media as needed.

  • Inter-island travel, as well as occasional conference travel.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience

A law degree (JD or LLM) from an American Bar Association-accredited school is required. Be in good standing to practice law in Hawaiʻi or another state, U.S. Territory, or the District of Columbia.

  • At least 3 years of legal practice experience required, representing clients, and appearing before the Immigration Court and at US Citizenship & Immigration Service offices. Knowledge of immigration law and procedure.

  • Prior experience with case management, accurate data recording, legal research and writing.

  • General knowledge and familiarity with other areas of the law such as contracts, employment, and administrative.

  • Desired but not required: Membership in the Hawaiʻi State Bar Association and authorized to practice before the District Court of Hawaiʻi.

  • Desired but not required: prior non-profit work experience.

Skills

  • Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

  • Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

  • Prior supervisory and/or teaching/training/mentorship experience.

  • Ability to make mature, experienced business and legal judgments.

  • Ability to communicate clearly, persuasively, logically and succinctly (verbal, written).

  • In depth analytical, organizational, and conceptual skills to handle various projects.

  • Demonstrated ability to remain flexible in a demanding work environment and adapt to rapidly changing priorities.

  • Strong commitment to public interest legal service and to the enfranchisement and empowerment of immigrant communities.

  • Ability to work sensitively with numerous staff, volunteers, and clients having diverse personalities, lifestyles, cultures, political orientations and various faiths.

  •  A second language and familiarity with immigrant communities in Hawaiʻi is a plus.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS: $85,000-$90,000 FTE commensurate with experience, including supervisory experience. A robust benefits package includes health/vision/dental insurance, 401k benefit with employer contribution (after 90-day period), unlimited paid time off, flex scheduling, parking subsidy, professional dues required to maintain an active law license, AILA membership dues, personal cell/internet allowance, professional development opportunities, and a wellness benefit.

Partial work-from-home time negotiable.

TO APPLY: Please email your resume & cover letter to jobs@tlchawaii.org. Position open until filled.

The Legal Clinic is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin or ancestry, age, ethnicity, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or veteran status.