Legal Assistant (Immigration Law Office)

$45,157 - $57,054/Yr

Immigrant Defenders Law Center - Los Angeles, CA

Full-time - Entry Level

Los Angeles, CA

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations

About the position

Immigrant Defenders Law Center (“ImmDef”) is a next-generation, social justice law firm that provides high-quality representation and legal services to immigrants in Southern California and beyond. ImmDef was founded with the belief that no immigrant should be forced to face an unjust immigration system alone, and our universal representation programs are a first step towards that goal. We are currently seeking a full-time legal assistant to join our team of fearless advocates providing creative and zealous representation to our clients. Legal Assistants will be joining the largest non-profit, universal representation model deportation defense team in the state of California. Our staff work collaboratively within our team of managing and directing attorneys, staff attorneys, paralegals, administrative support staff, and case managers to provide client-centered, holistic representation. The role of the Legal Assistant involves collaborating with other staff, teams, departments, ImmDef attorneys, and external partner organizations to provide legal and logistical support. Responsibilities include reviewing and filing legal documents in immigration and state courts, answering phone calls from ImmDef clients and community members, planning and scheduling meetings for clients and legal staff, assisting with new client representation initiation and intake, and collecting client information to update case management databases and draft legal forms. Legal Assistants will also assist clients with gathering documents to support applications for immigration benefits, maintain external and internal databases, and ensure that client files are updated according to ImmDef protocols. Additionally, the role includes clerical duties such as filing, photocopying, scanning, and maintaining spreadsheets, as well as acting as a backup receptionist and providing interpretation and translation services as needed.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with other staff, teams, departments, and external partner organizations to provide legal and logistical support.
• Review and file legal documents in immigration and state courts, and with USCIS.
• Answer phone calls from ImmDef clients and community members.
• Plan and schedule meetings for clients and legal staff.
• Assist with new client representation initiation and intake.
• Collect client information to update case management databases and draft legal forms.
• Assist clients with gathering documents to support applications for immigration benefits.
• Maintain external and internal databases.
• Maintain updated paper and electronic client files according to ImmDef protocols.
• Catalog and maintain ImmDef's filing system.
• Archive client files according to ImmDef protocols.
• Send, receive, process, and file correspondence.
• Perform clerical duties such as filing, photocopying, scanning, faxing, and maintaining spreadsheets.
• Act as backup Receptionist, fielding telephone calls from clients and partner organizations.
• Maintain and monitor client waiting areas as needed.
• Greet and direct visitors, making them feel welcomed and respected.
• Provide Spanish to English and English to Spanish interpretation and translation of documents as needed.

Requirements

• High School Degree or GED is required; Bachelor's degree is preferred.
• Experience working at a nonprofit or a public interest law firm is helpful.
• Demonstrated ability to work within a high-volume, busy law office is a plus.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both English and Spanish.
• Passion and enthusiasm for providing high quality client services.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to take initiative and problem-solving skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Minimum typing speed of 40 words per minute.
• Enthusiasm for working at a mission-driven organization and passion for social justice for immigrants required.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience working in a legal environment.
• Familiarity with immigration law and procedures.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team setting.

Benefits

• Free parking
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Vision insurance
• 401(k) matching
• Loan forgiveness
• Flexible schedule