Community Defense Legal Assistant - St. Paul

Legal Services State Support - Saint Paul, MN

Full-time - Entry Level

Saint Paul, MN

11-50 employees

About the position

The Community Defense Legal Assistant at the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota (ILCM) plays a crucial role in providing immigration legal assistance to low-income immigrants and refugees. This position involves working under the supervision of a licensed attorney to support clients in immigration court matters, ensuring they receive the necessary legal representation and guidance. The role includes a variety of administrative tasks, outreach efforts, and maintaining client records, all aimed at enhancing the legal support provided to vulnerable communities.

Responsibilities

• Provide full legal representation or brief service and advice to low-income immigrants and refugees in immigration court cases.
• Conduct intake consultations with potential clients and provide information and referrals.
• Answer phone calls and inform clients of case progress, including calls on the detention line.
• Perform legal and criminal record research and prepare requests for documents.
• Research and prepare country conditions reports and review court documents.
• Track deadlines and submit inquiries for cases outside normal processing time.
• Prepare and submit timely and accurate affirmative immigration applications to USCIS under attorney supervision.
• Ensure clients understand all notices from USCIS regarding pending applications and respond to requests for evidence.
• Prepare clients for interviews with USCIS or hearings in immigration court and educate them about their rights under immigration law.
• Engage in outreach efforts to immigrant and refugee communities regarding legal services and immigration issues.
• Maintain client records in compliance with organizational protocols and best practices, including organizing and storing documents in a legal database.
• Complete biweekly time records for financial management and grant reporting purposes.
• Participate in legal meetings, case reviews, and training opportunities.
• Assist in proposal and grant report preparation as needed and manage miscellaneous projects.

Requirements

• Associate or bachelor's degree in any field, paralegal experience, or experience working in an attorney's office with some college credits.
• Fluency in a language spoken by a significant proportion of ILCM's client population, such as Spanish, Somali, Hmong, Amharic, Oromo, Karen, or Karenni.
• Experience in working with diverse populations and advocating on behalf of immigrants.
• Proficient in Microsoft programs such as Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, and SharePoint.
• Experience with LegalServer and immigration forms programs preferred.
• Detail-oriented, service-oriented, organized, and able to meet deadlines.
• Dedicated, reliable, and able to handle a high volume of assignments with a positive attitude.
• Excellent interpersonal communication and superior customer service skills.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with office equipment, including copiers and telephone systems.
• Knowledge of immigration law and procedures.

Benefits

• Paid-time-off (PTO) starting at 20 days per year, increasing with tenure.
• Holiday leave including 11 holidays and the week between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day.
• Health benefits including medical insurance with 90% premium coverage for employees and dependents, and 80% for spouses/domestic partners.
• Dental insurance with 65% premium coverage for employees and dependents.
• Vision insurance (100% employee paid).
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) with a $500 annual contribution from ILCM.
• Life, Short/Long-term Disability Insurance with options for voluntary life insurance.
• SIMPLE IRA Retirement Plan with employer match of up to 3% of compensation.
• Remote connectivity stipend of $50/month.