Senior Attorney-Litigation; Habeas Focus , NIJC

Senior Attorney-Litigation (Habeas Focus) , NIJC

Join to apply for the Senior Attorney-Litigation (Habeas Focus) , NIJC role at National Immigrant Justice Center.

The National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) advances human rights and due process for immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers through direct legal services, impact litigation, advocacy, and public education. Headquartered in Chicago with offices in Washington, DC, Indiana, and San Diego, NIJC’s team of 100 attorneys, paralegals, and professionals, along with 2,500 pro bono attorneys, is at the forefront of immigration reform.

In recent months, the fast-changing landscape of federal immigration law and the substantial expansion of immigration detention prompted NIJC to launch a Habeas Project with partners in Illinois to increase the availability of representation in petitions for a writ of habeas corpus. This project delivers critical legal relief in the form of release from detention and/or bond hearings in immigration court.

NIJC seeks a senior attorney to work with existing staff and a new Habeas Project Manager to oversee the Project. This will include working with referring immigration lawyers and pro se individuals to provide pro bono representation in habeas petitions. While this person will have a docket of their own habeas petitions, they will also be responsible for assisting pro bono attorneys in developing substantive arguments, recruiting and managing new pro bono attorneys, ensuring all volunteer attorneys complete required training, and maintaining case records.

Please NOTE:

This person must be in Illinois and must be eligible for admission to the bar in the Northern District of Illinois.

• Develop legal arguments for habeas petitions and prepare templates for pro bono attorneys.
• Independently manage a docket of habeas case filings.
• In collaboration with others, oversee the work of NIJC’s broader habeas practice.
• Supervise pro bono attorneys in their representation of clients in habeas matters.
• Organize, lead, and oversee regular meetings of the Illinois Habeas Project, which includes stakeholders internally and externally to NIJC.
• Communicate with clients and immigration counsel about case developments.
• Liaise between legal teams, clients, and other stakeholders to ensure clear communication and accurate management of data pertaining to cases.
• Ensure timely and accurate data tracking of Habeas Project work for stakeholders and members of the public.
• Conduct and lead training on habeas practice.

• Legal
  
  Skills:
  
  Experience analyzing the impact of laws on vulnerable populations and advocating for improved laws and policies; strong legal research, writing, and argumentation skills; ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, work independently, and collaborate effectively in a fast‑paced environment.
• Reasoning Ability:
  Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Technology Knowledge/
  
  Skills:
  
  Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

• Education and/or
  
  Experience:
  
  A law degree (JD), license to practice law, and at least 3 years' experience in the legal field, preferably in immigration law with a focus on removal defense. Applicants with significantly more experience are encouraged to apply.
• Language
  
  Skills:
  
  Fluency in English;
  Spanish strongly preferred. Excellent oral and written communication skills; demonstrated competency in public speaking and strong interpersonal skills required.
• Computer
  
  Skills:
  
  Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Windows operating systems.
• Reasoning Ability:
  Solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.

Please Include:

• Your resume.
• A compelling cover letter, including the following:
  • Why you are interested in this specific role and in working for NIJC.
  • How your unique skills and experience will enable you to make a significant impact on our team and help us achieve our mission.
  • A specific, brief example of a project or accomplishment from your past that best…