Staff Attorney

Staff Attorney – Grand Rapids Office

Reports to:

Managing Attorney

• Type:
  Fulltime (36–40 hours/week) Salary: $65,000 + comprehensive benefits

Make a difference every day. Lighthouse Immigrant Advocates (LIA) seeks a compassionate, bilingual attorney to help immigrant families navigate complex legal processes and secure their futures in West Michigan. If you believe legal representation should be accessible to all and want to work in a collaborative, mission‑driven environment, we’d love to hear from you.

LIA is a West Michigan nonprofit that provides affordable immigration legal services through holistic case management, community education and advocacy. As the only Lakeshore organization focused exclusively on immigration, we’ve grown quickly over the past decade by centering clients’ dignity and partnering closely with the communities we serve. We offer a family‑friendly workplace with flexible scheduling and prioritize diversity, equity and inclusion in all we do.

• Prepare petitions, waivers, affidavits and briefs; gather evidence; and guide clients through the entire process.
• Meet with clients both in person and virtually, provide trauma‑informed counsel and empower them to tell their stories.
• Collaborate with a team of attorneys, DOJ‑accredited representatives and support staff on case strategy and quality assurance.
• Contribute to outreach and education initiatives, present at clinics and workshops and participate in local coalitions and committees.
• Mentor interns and volunteers and help refine LIA’s legal practices.

• Mission & Impact:
  Every case you handle can be life‑changing for clients and their families. You’ll help stop deportations, reunite families and support people fleeing violence.
• Work Life Balance:
  
  Our workweek is 36–40 hours. Offices are open to clients Monday through Thursday; you’ll have one remote work day each week, and there are no billable hours.
• Professional Growth:
  We support continuing legal education, conference attendance and mentorship so you can deepen your expertise in immigration law, asylum practice and community advocacy.
• Supportive Culture:
  You’ll join a collaborative team that values empathy, inclusion and diversity. We are committed to racial equity and social justice.
• Comprehensive Benefits:
  Employer‑paid medical and dental coverage; SIMPLE IRA with 3% match; three weeks’ vacation plus two weeks in December, 11 paid holidays and sick time; wellness programs; flexible scheduling; and family‑friendly policies.

• A licensed attorney in any U.S. state (Michigan preferred) and in good standing (we can only consider applicants who have already passed the bar).
• Fluent in English and Spanish.
• Ideally at least two years’ experience handling family‑based or humanitarian immigration matters such as citizenship, VAWA, U visas, TPS or DACA; asylum experience is a plus, not a requirement.
• Organized, adaptable and able to manage multiple cases independently while collaborating with a team.
• Committed to immigrant rights, trauma‑informed practice and diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Comfortable with technology (Microsoft Office, Google Drive, case management systems) and open to learning new tools.

To apply for this position, please submit the following online at  - the full job description is available for review online at .

• Cover letter explaining why LIA’s work/mission is important to you
• Current résumé
• Three professional references and their contact information
• A brief writing sample (2‑5 pages)

All materials may be addressed to:
Hiring Committee. If you need accommodations to apply or interview, please let us know at (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).

LIA is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected class. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.