Legal Assistant

The Loyola Immigrant Justice Clinic (LIJC) is a community-based collaboration of Loyola Law School, Loyola Marymount University, Homeboy Industries Inc., and Dolores Mission Church. LIJC’s dual-pronged mission is to advance the rights of the low-income immigrant population on the Eastside of Los Angeles and the surrounding area through direct legal services, education, and community empowerment, while teaching law students effective immigrants’ rights lawyering skills in a real-world setting. LIJC focuses on providing representation to individuals who are unable to obtain immigration legal services elsewhere with an emphasis on immigrants with certain immigration complications.

Responsibilities  

The Legal Assistant will assist the LIJC legal team, including licensed and experienced attorneys and DOJ-accredited representatives, to provide high-quality, community-based immigration legal services. The Legal Assistant will work under the supervision of LIJC’s Director of Community Legal Services and perform administrative support tasks and duties as assigned to ensure regulatory compliance and efficient workflow for the legal team. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Client communication: Scheduling appointments and updating clients on their case status by phone, text, and/or e-mail.

Deadline management: Tracking and monitoring crucial filing dates for client matters and grant reporting.

Reporting and data analysis: Compiling statistical, narrative, and demographic reports in response to grant funding requirements and internal program metrics. Case Management Systems (CMS): Logging detailed notes, client information, and hearing or filing deadlines into Filevine, the LIJC case management system. Running reports as necessary.

Evidence gathering: Requesting and collecting client documentary evidence and personal records, such as birth certificates, passports, and background checks.

Document translation and interpretation: As necessary, support the legal team with document translation and interpretation at USCIS client interviews.

Client case completion: Preparing immigration applications, state court forms, filing motions and other filings to state and immigration courts, assisting with notice requirements in compliance with state court rules, and drafting client declarations.  

Loyola Marymount University Expectations

Exhibit behavior that supports the mission, vision, and values of the university.  Communicate and employ interpersonal actions that model high standards of professional, responsible, accountable, and ethical conduct.  Demonstrate a commitment to outstanding customer service.

Requisite Qualifications

• Fluency in Spanish.

• Strong preference for prior work experience as a legal assistant for immigration legal services.

• Demonstrated computer competency and knowledge of software skills including MS Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.

• Strong preference for prior work experience in the public interest sector.

• Strong organization and communication skills.

• Ability to meet deadlines and strong attention to detail.

• Competence in and dedication to working with others of diverse cultural, geographic and economic backgrounds, including individuals with criminal history and history of severe trauma.

• Commitment to immigrants’ rights work and LIJC’s mission.

#HERC# #HEJ#

Staff Term (Fixed Term)

Salary range

$29.71 - $37.16 Salary commensurate with education and experience.

Please note that this position may not be eligible for visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Loyola Marymount University, a Carnegie classified R2 institution in the mainstream of American Catholic higher education, seeks outstanding applicants who value its mission and share its commitment to inclusive excellence, the education of the whole person, and the building of a just society. LMU is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing an environment free from discrimination and harassment as defined by federal, state and local law. We invite all persons in the full diversity of their being, life experience, and beliefs to apply. (Visit www.lmu.edu for more information.)

LMU is committed to providing equal access to employment opportunities and ensuring a comprehensive recruitment and selection process for all applicants.

Individuals who require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any stage of the application, interview, or selection process may contact Human Resources at [email protected] or by phone at (310) 338-2723. Applicants who use relay services or other assistive communication technologies are welcome to utilize those services when contacting Human Resources.

When contacting Human Resources, please include the job posting number, title of the position and department for which you are applying. Applicants are not required to disclose the nature of a disability or provide medical information when requesting an accommodation during the recruitment process.

LMU will work with applicants in a timely and interactive process to identify and provide reasonable accommodations consistent with applicable federal and state law.