Refugee & Immigrant Program Staff Attorney, Advocates Human Rights

Refugee & Immigrant Program Staff Attorney, The Advocates for Human Rights

The mission of The Advocates for Human Rights is to implement international human rights standards to promote civil society and reinforce the rule of law. By involving volunteers in research, education, and advocacy, we build broad constituencies in the United States and select global communities.

Position:

The Advocates for Human Rights is seeking a human rights activist to join our Refugee and Immigrant Program team as a Staff Attorney. This position will continue to build our capacity to provide legal assistance to the Afghan Evacuee community in the Upper Midwest.

As a Staff Attorney, you are responsible for ensuring that The Advocates delivers legal services in an expert and professional manner by cultivating relationships with volunteers and partnering with clients to meet their legal needs. You are eager to dive into research and conversations with local national partners to stay current on the latest policies and practices related to immigration options for Afghan evacuees.

You are a creative problem solver and enjoy the constant challenge of improving the delivery of our legal services through consultation and brief services clinics. You are excited about translating what you know into accessible training and materials to engage volunteers to provide direct legal services to those who need it. You are invested in advocating for our clients to give them a fair chance at safety and security as in the United States.

You are committed to giving our volunteers the tools and support they need to represent our clients effectively. You are nimble enough to stay on your toes in our fast-paced office atmosphere and cool-headed enough to serve our clients with compassion and care.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with the Program Director and Program Coordinator to manage the logistics of the legal clinics in order to optimize access and efficiency for clients.
• Prepare and update welcome packets for Afghan evacuees with know your rights materials, legal clinic information, referral lists and pro se resources.
• Consult with Program Director to create consultation guidelines for volunteers to manage client expectations based on case types and other criteria.
• Provide training and support to volunteer attorneys who provide legal consultations to Afghan evacuees at the transitional hotel and at other sites throughout Minnesota.
• Review consultation notes and draft detailed closing letters to clients with the most up-to-date resources and referrals related to their case.
• Coordinate with local immigration attorneys and organizations to provide warm referrals for clients when appropriate.

• Participate in national coalitions to discuss best practices for legal assistance for Afghan evacuees and asylum seekers.
• Review consultation notes and work with Program Director to select cases eligible for brief services or full representation.
• Review intakes from Afghan asylum seekers to select cases eligible for full representation.
• Supervise interns and staff assisting with case opening and closing procedures.
• Timely assign and transmit cases accepted for volunteer placement.
• Meet with clients and volunteer attorneys for case orientation meetings.
• Respond to inquiries from local partners with case referrals.
• Participate in trainings and research to become a local expert on Afghan Special Immigrant Visas and Afghan asylum claims.
• Conduct attorney recruitment/training seminars, including development of materials.
• Coordinate with local national partners to participate in legal volunteer training.
• Handle attorney case inquiries, monitor volunteer attorney case progress, review attorney submissions.
• Maintain substantive components of our Pro Bono Manuals and on-line legal resources including the Immigrant Advocates Network.

• Provide representation in those cases inappropriate for volunteer placement and manage cases awaiting placement with a volunteer attorney.
• Appear at USCIS interviews, master calendar hearings as needed to support volunteer attorneys.
• Supervise program assistants and interns in case support.