Cabrini | Staff Attorney - UC

Overview

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston is looking for the right people to join as Cabrini | Staff Attorney - UC. The organization serves the Houston-Galveston area with a family-friendly environment and a mission to help people in need. The Staff Attorney (Unaccompanied Children Program) provides direct legal representation and other services to clients served by St Frances Cabrini Center for Legal Assistance.

• Provide direct legal representation to clients before USCIS, Asylum Office, Immigration Court, and related agencies (including during proceedings with ICE, DHS, DOS, and appellate bodies such as the Board of Immigration Appeals and Administrative Appeals Office).
• Enter appearances as attorney of record; perform legal intake, screening, client interviews, and gather affidavits and witness statements.
• Draft, prepare, and assemble immigration petitions; conduct legal research; write memoranda, motions, or briefs in support of applications and petitions.
• Prepare clients for interviews or court hearings; provide interpretations as needed for USCIS, asylum office, and other interviews.
• Provide direct representation to minors detained in ORR custody when appropriate; act as Friend of Court at juvenile dockets where applicable.
• Engage in community outreach and legal education, workshops, legal intake, and other services; supervise caseworkers, paralegals, and interns as assigned.
• Participate in case reviews with senior staff and maintain case files and statistics; ensure compliance with program requirements and funder reporting.
• Attend mandatory team and agency meetings; participate in funder calls and outreach as appropriate.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Legal Director and Managing Attorneys, including collaboration with partners and participation in events.

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Licensed by the Supreme Court of Texas and membership in the State Bar of Texas, or plan to sit for the earliest available bar exam with licensure no later than one year from the employment start date.
• Bilingual in Spanish and English.

• Excellent legal research and writing skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication and negotiation abilities.
• Ability to manage a high-volume caseload with multiple deadlines.
• Proficiency in basic typing and MS Office; demonstrated multi-cultural sensitivity.
• Ability to handle confidential information and work with low-income immigrant communities.

Catholic Charities is an equal opportunity employer. The organization fosters a non-discriminatory environment where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. Successful applicants must comply with federal contractor vaccine mandate requirements.

The work helps advocate for vulnerable populations and supports a network of services for people of diverse ages, backgrounds, and faiths.