Paralegal LGBTQ Project, NIJC

About NIJC

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 over 100 attorneys, paralegals, and professionals, along with 2,000 pro bono attorneys, is at the forefront of immigration reform.

The LGBTQ Immigrant Rights Initiative provides legal services to low‑income immigrants who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ) and those who are living with HIV. NIJC seeks a paralegal to join the LGBTQ team, who will conduct intake, research, case review, document preparation, and other related tasks to support clients, general operations, and the work of project staff.

The ideal candidate has experience with or knowledge of systemic barriers impacting LGBTQ immigrants.

• Conduct intake sessions, as assigned;
• Conduct legal and factual research;
• Conduct interviews with clients and witnesses;
• Draft applications, affidavits, letters and/or legal pleadings and prepare supporting documentation with attention to accuracy;
• Apply trauma‑informed and culturally responsive principles to all responsibilities;
• Prepare materials for submission to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration Court, or other entities as appropriate;
• Review, analyze and present cases to supervisor;
• Track individual cases and outcomes;
• Remain current on immigration law, policies, and procedures;
• Meet deadlines and work with a supervisor to prioritize responsibilities;
• Maintain complete and accurate records in accordance with legal standards, rules, and ethics;
• Preserve client confidentiality, account for client monies, and avoid conflicts of interest in accordance with organizational policies and the ethical standards required of the legal profession, the Code of Professional Responsibility;
• Handle other essential duties as assigned.

• Education & Experience: Bachelor's degree required. Experience working with immigrants, refugees, or asylum seekers preferred (minimum one year).
• Language
  
  Skills:
  
  This position requires regular communication with clients in Spanish. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written Spanish.
• Other Requirements: Excellent writing, editing, organizational, and computer skills. Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.

Please include:

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time.
• The person in this position occasionally needs to move about inside the office to access filing cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Constantly operating a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a copy machine.

It is the policy of NIJC not to discriminate against any applicant for employment, or any employee because of age, color, sex, disability, national origin, race, religion, or veteran status.

By submitting your application, you acknowledge and consent to undergo a comprehensive background check as part of the employment process. This background check will be conducted in compliance with applicable state and federal laws.