Legal Assistant - Esperanza Immigrant Rights Project

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.

Esperanza seeks a full-time Legal Assistant to work in our Community Education program. The immigration court system does not provide court-appointed counsel to individuals facing deportation who cannot afford an attorney, so this vulnerable population relies on our Community Education program to obtain critical information about the process. The Community Education program was created to more effectively meet this need and guide pro se immigrants through the increasingly complicated and strained immigration system.

Responsibilities:

The Legal Assistant will work under the direct supervision of a manager to provide various self-help services for non-detained adults, families, and children. The core program services include; legal orientations regarding removal proceedings and legal relief; intake and follow-up services; self-help workshops; and referrals for pro bono assistance or social services. Additional responsibilities include:

• Data management and preparation of special and periodic reports;
• Promptly and properly responding to substantive client communication, including walk-ins, phone calls, and letters that require substantive legal and operational knowledge;
• Scheduling appointments, doing outreach, and maintaining referral system;
• Referring individuals to social services;
• Creating and properly maintaining participant files;
• Developing and updating pro se materials in Spanish and English;
• Mentoring and supervising volunteers; and
• Performing general administrative duties, including filing, copying, note-taking, etc.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in related field, or 3-5 years of related experience;
• Experience working in a legal office, especially with immigration;
• Meticulous attention to detail;
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to problem solve independently;
• Fluency in oral and written Spanish required;
• Strong work ethic and ability to work under pressure;
• Strong verbal communication, phone and writing skills;
• Strong typing and computer skills including MS Word, Excel, Mail Merges, etc.; and
• Passion for social justice for immigrants and vulnerable communities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with vulnerable client populations, particularly with children, families, or clients with mental health issues; and
• Experience in community outreach and/or public speaking.

Benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 10 sick days per year, 12 vacation days per year, up to 13 paid holidays per year, retirement plan, FSA account, bar dues payment, and mileage reimbursement.

Fluency in oral and written Spanish required