Position: SIFI Direct Services Attorney
Location: Atlanta, GA
Program: Immigrant Justice Project
Summary:
The Southeast Immigrant Freedom Initiative (SIFI) provides high-quality, holistic pro bono legal representation to immigrants detained in the southeastern United States. By ensuring that skilled attorneys are available to protect detained immigrants’ due process rights, the SIFI endeavors to win every meritorious deportation defense case arising out of Trump-era immigration enforcement actions.
SIFI was developed by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) and is a collaboration between SPLC, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), the American Immigration Council (Council), and the Innovation Law Lab (Law Lab). The American Immigration Representation Project (AIRP) is supporting SIFI and is working with the Council to expand pro bono support.
The Direct Services Attorney provides direct legal representation to detained individuals in removal proceedings before the Irwin County Detention Center accordance with the best practices and rules of conduct of the profession. The Direct Services attorney collaborates closely with the entire SIFI team, SIFI partners, allied organizations to support ongoing pro bono efforts, including developing potential federal litigation arising from removal defense work.
Primary Job Functions:
• Provide, as the primary role, support, supervision, and mentorship to pro-bono attorneys who are appearing before
the Immigration Courts on bond, master, motion, merits, and other related hearings
• Provide direct counsel and direct assistance to SIFI clients seeking relief from removal
• Provide direct representation of SIFI clients in removal proceedings and proceedings before the federal immigration
agencies
• Maintain accurate and complete case records through LawLab software for all SIFI clients at Irwin County Detention
Center in Ocilla, GA
• Collaborate with attorneys, legal paraprofessionals, interpreters, and in furtherance of the representation of SIFI clients
• Communicate with stakeholders, including the federal immigration agencies such as the Department of Homeland
Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services related to
SIFI clients.
Qualifications:
• JD from accredited university
• Membership in good standing in the bar of any state and/or the District of Columbia
• Bi-lingual, English/Spanish (conversational, speaking and writing)
• At least one year experience practicing before immigration courts preferred
• Dedication to and experience working with low-income, immigrant clients
• Experience working within volunteer-based projects, preferred
• Commitment to working long hours
Other Special Considerations:
• This job is performed under general office conditions and is not subject to any strenuous physical demands or dangerous conditions.
• All applicants should submit cover letter, resume, references, and legal writing sample.
Duration:
• 6 months with the possibility of an extension up to 1 year
Disclaimer:
• The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. These statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of a person in this position.
For immediate consideration, please apply online at:
• https://careers-splcenter.icims.com/jobs/1120/sifi-direct-services-attor...