Temporary Spanish Speaking Paralegal/Legal Assistant
Immigration Equality and Immigration Equality Action Fund seek an enthusiastic paralegal/legal assistant to provide administrative support to our legal staff while a member of our staff is out on parental leave, beginning around the first week in June through mid-September. We are proud to be the national leaders in the field we pioneered: lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and HIV immigration rights.
Founded in 1994, Immigration Equality has a dual focus of direct representation and impact work. We take calls every day from clients who need help right now and we work to change the systems that have lasting impact on how LGBTQ and HIV-positive immigrants are treated. We work with asylum seekers, detained individuals, refugees, and binational couples, answering thousands of inquiries and hotline calls and representing more than 650 individuals each year primarily through a nation-wide pro bono program. We also engage in administrative advocacy and impact litigation to protect the interests of our community. Finally, through our Action Fund, we lobby federal policymakers to pass progressive legislation consistent with our mission goals.
We dedicate ourselves to empowering and protecting one of the most vibrant, resilient, and diverse communities in the world. In sixty-five countries, it is still a crime to be LGBTQ. In many more, it is fundamentally unsafe. We are proud to do life-saving work.
We are seeking a very organized and detail-oriented individual to join our team as a Temporary Paralegal/Legal Assistant team for three to four months, beginning around the first week in June through mid-September. This position will work remotely and have flexible hours of between 20-40 per week, although full time is preferred. The Temporary Paralegal/Legal Assistant will work closely with our legal team and responsibilities may include:
- Answer Immigration Equality’s telephone and respond to requests for legal assistance
- Respond to calls/letters from detained immigrants
- Maintain our client database and update our dockets
- Copy and file, gather evidence, research and index country conditions materials, etc.
- Organize and maintain materials which support asylum applications (and/or supervise volunteers on this project)
- File papers with immigration court/DHS
- Translate evidence and other documents into English (and/or supervise
- volunteers on this project)
- Give attorney and social service referrals in appropriate cases
- Assist with, and screen clients for, pro bono clinics and new client intakes
- Translate during in-person and/or phone interviews
- Assist attorneys in preparing client applications and documents
- Assist in matching clients with pro bono counsel
- Facilitate communication with clients regarding their cases
- Represent Immigration Equality at community events and outreach efforts
- Provide general legal administrative support
Qualifications
- College degree preferred not required
- Must be organized and detail oriented (this position presents an excellent opportunity for an individual who is considering law school)
- Expert in MS Office software, Word, Outlook, SharePoint, OneDrive, and Excel
- Experience with Salesforce preferred
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate with others at all levels
- Active and quick learner and patient listener
- Must have a sincere commitment and interest in advocating for equality for LGBTQ/HIV-positive people under U.S. immigration law
- Spanish fluency is strongly preferred (spoken; written and reading comprehension)
- Calm under pressure and solutions oriented
- Ability to prioritize work and multi-task in a fast-paced environment
This position will be fully remote. A laptop can be provided to support working remotely.
Salary and Benefits
Salary range $25.00/hour.
Applications must be submitted via this application tool.