Immigration Attorney

Job Description: Charleston Legal Access seeks a full-time Immigration Attorney

Charleston Legal Access (“CLA”) seeks purpose-driven, dynamic applicants from diverse lived experiences for a full-time immigration attorney position.

About CLA

Charleston Legal Access is a nonprofit, sliding-scale law firm designed to fill a gap in the legal community and offer services not provided by any other organization in the state. A small but mighty team of seven, our mission is to expand legal representation and access to justice in the Lowcountry by providing low-cost, quality legal representation and assistance to the working poor and others of modest means who do not qualify for free legal aid but who cannot afford a private attorney. In addition, we take on projects to expand access to justice, such as increasing language access in the courts and the Housing Court project to reduce the rate of evictions in South Carolina.

The Position

Charleston Legal Access (CLA) seeks a dynamic and motivated Immigration Attorney to help establish and grow a new immigration practice within our organization. The ideal candidate will have 1-3 years of experience in immigration law, with a proven ability to work independently and collaboratively. This position demands a proactive, driven approach and a deep commitment to delivering exceptional legal services to underserved communities. The Immigration Attorney will be responsible for providing legal advice and representation to clients who are navigating the complex and often confusing process of our immigration systems and will handle a wide range of cases, including all aspects of family-based immigration matters, which include adjustment of status, citizenship, and humanitarian-based immigration matters that include VAWA, U-visas, asylum, removal defense, SIJS, TPR, and DACA.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Create immigration intake procedures and policies.
• Advise clients on immigration law and policy.
• Assist clients in filing petitions, applications, and other legal documents.
• Represent clients in court, including deportation and removal proceedings.
• Prepare and present legal briefs and arguments.
• Keep abreast of changes in immigration law and policy.
• Maintain accurate records, files, notes, and invoices.
• Provide counsel and guidance to clients throughout the immigration process.
• Communicate with government agencies, courts, and other legal entities.
• Attend conferences and seminars to stay up to date on immigration law and policy
• Coordinate, conduct, and participate in community outreach events.

Required qualifications (must haves):

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in good standing with the South Carolina Bar or the ability to waive-in with a qualifying Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) score.
• 1-3 years of experience in immigration law, with a strong foundation in family-based immigration, asylum, and removal defense.
• Be located in or willing to relocate to the Charleston area.
• Fluency in Spanish preferred
• Family law or other litigation experience preferred a desire to be part of a growing nonprofit legal service agency that strives to make the legal system uncomplicated, approachable, and, most importantly, accessible to everyone.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Excellent organizational skills: detail-orientated and strong management skills.
• Attend staff and Board meetings, advocate meetings, task forces, and other community meetings when needed to help CLA accomplish its mission.
• Must be able to work on several projects concurrently while meeting deadlines.
• Perform other duties as assigned or requested by the Team.
• Commitment to diversity within the office using an approach that values all individuals and respects differences concerning race, ethnicity, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, disability, and socio-economic circumstance.The ability to work independently, without close supervision, and collaboratively at varying levels of seniority within and outside Charleston Legal Access.

Salary and Other Benefits

The salary range is $70,000-$85,000, depending on experience. Benefits include health insurance, ten days paid time off, sick leave, parental leave, and flexible hours.

Application Instructions: Submit a cover letter, resume, and legal writing sample to lana@charlestonlegalaccess.org with the subject line “Immigration Attorney.”

Charleston Legal Access is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, disability, familial or veteran status and we strongly encourage applications from persons of diverse backgrounds.

Application Deadline: Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.