Paralegal II

Esperanza Immigrant Rights Project, a program of Catholic Charities of Los Angeles, Inc., is a non-profit law firm which provides community education and legal representation to immigrant adults, families, unaccompanied minors, individuals with mental health issues, and in cases involving crimmigration. Esperanza has proudly provided legal services to immigrants and their families in Southern California for over 15 years. More information is available at www.esperanza-la.org.

The individual provides substantive legal and administrative support and assistance to attorneys engaged in direct representation or community education. In representation, the Paralegal II will be responsible for preparing applications with clients and gathering and organizing supporting documents for submission to US Citizenship and Immigration Services, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Executive Office for Immigration Review, the Board of Immigration Appeals, or state courts as needed. In representation, the Paralegal II will work with clients and their families to gather documents needed for representation and direct individuals whom Esperanza attorneys cannot assist to resources that could assist them.

Responsibilities:

• Provide substantive legal and administrative support and assistance to attorneys engaged in direct representation or community education.
• In representation, the Paralegal II will be responsible for preparing applications with clients and gathering and organizing supporting documents for submission to US Citizenship and Immigration Services, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Executive Office for Immigration Review, the Board of Immigration Appeals, or state courts as needed.
• Work with clients and their families to gather documents needed for representation and direct individuals whom Esperanza attorneys cannot assist to resources that could assist them.
• Provide support to attorneys in creating and properly maintaining client files and field phone calls from potential clients and their families.
• Conduct community education classes as needed.
• Interview potential clients to assist attorneys in determining eligibility for immigration legal rights and benefits.
• Take on additional responsibilities of preparing and conducting trainings; centralizing and updating internal resources; holding weekly office hours for paralegals.
• Provide general availability to answer administrative questions for paralegals; advocacy to management on paralegals’ behalf.
• Other duties as needed.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or at least 7 years of related experience.
• At least 2 years of experience as a paralegal in immigration law required.
• Experience preparing and filing requests for SIJS findings in state court required.
• Paralegal certificate or relevant paralegal-type coursework highly desirable.
• Proficiency in oral and written second language required, per program needs.
• Experience working in a legal office, especially with immigration and/or criminal law required.
• Experience working with immigrant communities required.

• Medical, Dental & Vision
• Life Insurance
• Retirement Plan to include 401a/employer contribution only and 403(b)
• Supplemental Insurance (life, Accident, disability insurance, etc.)
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Care Spending Account Reimbursement accounts (HAS)
• Vacation days – 12 days per year
• Sick time – 10 days per year
• 13 holidays per year for regular f/t & p/t employees
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Cell Phones for those working in Shelters or with Clients outside of the office
• Employee Recognition - Annual Staff Appreciation Day Event
• Free Parking

Bilingual in English & Spanish