Lighthouse Immigrant Advocates (LIA) is a nonprofit in West Michigan offering low-cost immigration legal services to community members. The organizational model includes a three-pronged approach to service: holistic case management, community education and advocacy. As the only nonprofit organization on the Lakeshore in West Michigan offering immigration services, LIA has grown rapidly in the last ten years. 

Staff Attorney Position Classification: Full-time (36-40 hours per week)

Compensation: $65,000 annual salary (plus health insurance and benefits)

BROAD STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provide high-quality legal representation before the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and U.S. Department of State in immigration matters to community members in need.

SPECIFIC DUTIES:

- Provide legal representation and general consultations on family-based and humanitarian immigration matters, including but not limited to citizenship, petitions for relatives, permanent residence for family, waivers, consular processing, refugee and asylee petitions, VAWA, U visas, TPS, and DACA. 

- Coordinate all aspects of a client's case, including client communication, preparing immigration forms, conducting relevant research, drafting personal statements, writing briefs and compiling evidence.  

- Utilize case management and office systems to manage substantial caseload.

- Utilize government websites (such as, but not limited to, the National Visa Center or USCIS FOIA website) for submitting applications, entering data and making payments.

- Provide consultations weekly to new clients.

- Meet with existing clients on non-intake days to continue their immigration processes. 

- Communicate with clients by phone, email, video call and in-person meetings.

- Participate in program outreach and public education about immigration law and policy, including assisting with preparing educational presentations and working with Legal Outreach Teams to coordinate education and outreach to hard-to-reach immigrant communities.

- Provide assistance as necessary to the Renewal Clinic and Citizenship Clinic. 

- Provide assistance as necessary to the Hotline intake system and triaging of cases.

- Serve on community committees or coalitions such as the Michigan Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights or local coalitions and initiatives.

- Serve on one committee with the board of directors.

- Engage in limited supervision of interns, support staff, and DOJ Accredited Reps who are engaged in similar duties with the Legal Services Program.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit applications or inquiries about this position via email to careers@lia-michigan.org with the subject line “Staff Attorney Application”. Applications will be reviewed as received. Please including the following.

- Current resume

- Cover letter

- Three professional references and their contact information

- A brief academic writing sample (2-5 pages)