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Legal Assistant, Immigrants' Rights Clinic, Stanford Law School

Employer
Stanford Law School
Location
Stanford, California
Closing date
Aug 11, 2019

View more

Focus Areas
Human Services
Job Function
Legal, Research
Position Type
Full Time
Degree Level
Bachelors
Experience Level
Administrative

The Immigrants’ Rights Clinic (IRC) of the Mills Legal Clinic at Stanford Law School has an immediate opening for a Legal Assistant. The purpose of this position is to support the expansion of the IRC’s capacity to respond to the urgent needs of the immigrant community—including members of the Stanford community—in light of increased immigration enforcement under the Trump administration. The IRC is a nationally-recognized organization devoted to assisting low-income immigrants fighting against their deportation in the immigration courts, the Board of Immigration Appeals, and the federal courts. The IRC defends asylum seekers fleeing their homes and often works at the intersection between the criminal justice and immigrants’ rights movements. 

The legal assistant will provide both legal and administrative assistance, including the preparation, serving, and filing of court documents; assistance with client and witness communications, and support for IRC operations. The legal assistant will work in collaboration with Clinic Director, Professor Jayashri Srikantiah and Clinical Supervising Attorney, Lisa Weissman-Ward. This is a one-year, fixed term position, with the option for renewing a second year.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Provide paralegal support to the IRC with preparation, serving, and filing of legal pleadings (including preparation of exhibits and materials) in immigration court and the federal courts) and with the immigration agencies.
  • Provide a full range of administrative support.
  • Conduct legal and policy research on immigrants’ rights issues.
  • Support law student involvement in litigation.
  • Prioritize and juggle multiple projects simultaneously and independently, often under pressure and in a fast-paced environment.
  • Manage documents and files; read, analyze and organize case-related, time-sensitive records.
  • Screen telephone calls, responding independently as appropriate and making swift and accurate judgments in forwarding inquiries to attorneys or other offices.
  • Conduct intake screenings with potential clients.
  • Conduct fact gathering interviews with current clients and witnesses.
  • Interpret for client meetings and translate written legal documents.
  • Draft correspondence including records requests to courts and other entities.
  • Help manage the litigation calendar and coordinate attorneys' and law students' travel.
  • Participate in Mills Legal Clinic team projects and meetings.
  • Assistance with maintaining/updating IRC website.

Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
Associate's degree and three years of relevant experience or combination of education and relevant experience. Strongly preferred: Bachelor’s degree and at least three years of professional experience, preferably in an immigration law office or a legal non-profit environment. 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

  • Strong written and oral communication skills.
  • Strong research and writing skills, including ability to synthesize materials into strategic memoranda.
  • Strong ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks and projects to meet deadlines.
  • Ability to work with multiple supervisors under deadlines on several projects simultaneously.
  • Excellent professional judgment and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to problem solve.
  • Desire and ability to work independently, but also to perform in a team environment.
  • Strong proofreading and detail-oriented research and writing skills.
  • Ability to perform in a fast-paced law office environment and interact well with a variety of personalities.
  • Commitment to public service strongly preferred.
  • Prior immigration experience preferred.
  • PC proficiency (including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Best Authority, Google Mail, Skype, Westlaw/Lexis).
  • Fluency in Spanish strongly preferred.

The right candidate will enjoy substantial responsibilities in a fast-paced and dynamic work environment involving competing priorities and deadlines. Applicants should enjoy both team and independent work, excel at time management, have strong interpersonal skills, and have the ability to perform detail-oriented research and writing. Prior immigration experience is strongly preferred. 

The salary is based on a formula that is competitive with similar positions. 

Applicants should submit a resume and cover letter to the job posting referenced.

Stanford University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Stanford Law School seeks to hire the best talent and to promote a safe and secure environment for all members of the university community and its property. To that end, new staff hires must successfully pass a background check prior to starting work at Stanford University.

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