A Juris Doctor degree from an accredited school of law in the United States is required.
The candidate must be licensed to practice law in Nebraska or able to obtain a Nebraska law license.
Knowledge of immigration and nationality law or Nebraska family or juvenile law is required.
Fluency in Spanish is strongly preferred but not required.
The candidate must have exceptional legal research and writing ability and strong organizational skills.
The candidate must be able to manage confidential documents and communications professionally.
The candidate must have strong interpersonal communication and people skills.
The candidate must be committed to CIRA’s mission and values in serving immigrants, refugees, and newcomers, and demonstrate commitment to public interest law.
The candidate must understand and work sensitively with people of diverse national, ethnic, cultural, religious, and gender identities, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
The candidate must be fluent in Office 365 applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and SharePoint, and able to learn new data management software.
The candidate must demonstrate consistent attendance, effective time management, dependability, self-discipline, flexibility, and the ability to work independently.
The candidate must be able to work in a team and handle multiple tasks in an organized and timely manner.
The candidate must demonstrate integrity, a positive attitude, mission-driven behavior, and self-direction.
The candidate must be able to think strategically, solve problems, exercise good judgment, and lead change.
The candidate must support departmental and organizational changes and be comfortable working in a rapidly growing and evolving organization.
The candidate must be able to take initiative and make difficult decisions when necessary.
The candidate must pass all required background checks.
The candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.
Responsibilities
Work collaboratively and communicate with attorneys, Department of Justice-accredited representatives, and staff serving clients who may qualify for family-based immigration relief.
Work directly with clients and U.S. consulates abroad to support consular processing, including coordinating documentation, facilitating communication, and helping clients navigate procedural requirements through case completion.
Represent adult and child clients before Nebraska County and District Courts, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Omaha Immigration Court, the Board of Immigration Appeals, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Manage a caseload of family-based immigration cases, including other case types for which those clients may also apply.
Represent clients in western Nebraska County and District Courts in seeking predicate orders that may provide access to Special Immigrant Juvenile status.
Contribute to targeted legal service delivery, such as relief-specific legal clinics, to represent particularly vulnerable populations seeking specific forms of immigration relief.
Maintain complete and accurate client records in physical files and CIRA’s case management software, logging new activities, filing receipts, correspondence, filings, reminders, and deadlines, and meeting deadlines as described in the Legal Procedures Manual.
Track open and closed cases using CIRA’s case management software.
Maintain regular contact with clients and promptly return calls in accordance with the Legal Procedures Manual.
Keep clients informed about the status of their cases.
Inform clients of the risks and benefits of applying for immigration relief.
Maintain an accurate record of every client communication in CIRA’s case management system.
Contribute to outreach and education programs related to family-based immigration benefits and advocate for noncitizens’ rights under U.S. law.
Engage in community education and advocacy to promote an accurate understanding of immigration law and policy and advocate for changes that benefit humanitarian and family-based immigrants.
Desired Qualifications
Fluency in Spanish is strongly preferred but not required.
POSITION TITLE: Attorney REPORTS TO: Lead Attorney WORKSITE: Omaha or Lincoln, Nebraska
COMPENSATION
Salary range of $70,000 – $80,000, commensurate with experience
Excellent benefits including:
Unlimited paid time off (including employee birthday); 9 paid holidays with year-end holiday break
Medical, dental, vision, life, and AD&D insurance; 403b retirement plan with an automatic 5% contribution; and paid FMLA
Employee Wellness Program (including enriching snacks, support groups, and engaging activities)
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) (includes life event referral program, 5 free counseling sessions, financial and legal resources, and employee discount/savings program)
Yearly stipends for employee development opportunities
Relocation assistance; travel and expense reimbursement
ORGANIZATIONAL DESCRIPTION At the Center for Immigrant and Refugee Advancement (CIRA), we see strength in every story. We are Nebraska and Southwest Iowa's leading immigration legal services provider and refugee resettlement agency, built on the foundation that every person - regardless of their country of origin or immigration background - deserves dignity, belonging, and opportunity.
Through high-quality legal representation, resettlement services, social work, education, and advocacy, we meet the complex and evolving needs of our immigrant and refugee communities. Our expert team supports complex needs with one shared goal: empowering our clients to forge better lives, resulting in stronger communities for all of us.
POSITION DESCRIPTION Each Attorney is an integral part of CIRA’s Legal Department. The core functions of this position, described in more detail below, are: (1) direct representation; (2) client communication; and (3) education and advocacy.
CORE FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION
Direct Representation
Work with and maintain collaborative communication with attorneys, DOJ-accredited representatives, and staff who contribute to serving clients who may qualify for family-based immigration relief
Work directly with clients and U.S. consulates abroad to support consular processing, including coordinating documentation, facilitating communication, and helping clients navigate procedural requirements through case completion.
Represent adult and child clients before Nebraska County and District Courts, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the Omaha Immigration Court, Board of Immigration Appeals, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Manage a caseload of family-based immigration cases, including other case types for which those clients may also apply
Represent clients in western Nebraska County and District Courts in seeking predicate orders that may provide access to Special Immigrant Juvenile status
Contribute to targeted legal service delivery (such as relief-specific legal clinics) to represent particularly vulnerable populations in seeking specific forms of immigration relief
Maintain complete and accurate client records in physical files and on CIRA’s case management software, including but not limited to logging all new activities, filing receipts, correspondence, and filings in the case file, tracking reminders and deadlines, meeting those deadlines, etc., as described in detail in CIRA’s Legal Procedures Manual
Effectively and efficiently track open and closed cases using CIRA’s case management software
Client Communication
Maintain regular contact with clients and promptly return calls in accordance with the Legal Procedures Manual
Keep clients aware of the status of their case
Inform clients of the risks and benefits of applying for immigration relief
Maintain an accurate record of every client communication within CIRA’s case management system
Education and Advocacy
Contribute to outreach and education programs related to family-based immigration benefits and advocate for the rights of noncitizens under U.S. law
Engage in community education and advocacy to promote an accurate understanding of immigration law and policy and to advocate for changes that will positively benefit humanitarian and family-based immigrants
QUALIFICATIONS
Must have a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited school of law in the United States
Licensed to practice law in Nebraska or able to obtain a license to practice law in Nebraska
Knowledge of immigration and nationality law or Nebraska family or juvenile law is required
Fluency in Spanish is strongly preferred but not required
Exceptional legal research and writing ability and impeccable organizational skills
Ability to manage confidential documents and communications in a professional manner
Strong interpersonal communication and people skills
Commitment to CIRA’s mission and values in serving immigrants, refugees, and newcomers, and a demonstrated commitment to public interest law
Deep understanding of and ability to work sensitively and well with people of diverse national, ethnic, cultural, religious, and gender identities, and socioeconomic backgrounds
Fluency in using Office 365 applications (ex. Outlook, Word, Excel, SharePoint, etc.) and the ability to learn new data management software
Exhibits responsibility through consistent attendance, effective time management, dependability, self-discipline, flexibility, and working independently
Ability to work in a team and handle multiple tasks in an organized and timely manner
Impeccable integrity, positive attitude, mission-driven, and self-directed
Ability to think strategically, problem-solve, exercise good judgment, and lead change
Openly supports departmental and organizational changes and demonstrates comfort working in a rapidly growing and evolving organization
Ability to take initiative and make difficult decisions when necessary
Ability to pass all required background checks
Must be authorized to work in the United States
WORKING CONDITIONS
This job consists of regularly sitting at a desk and using a computer and phone.
This is not a remote position.
Workdays pertain to a Monday – Friday schedule, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM, with occasional flexibility required.
TO APPLY
Please upload a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and three professional references all in PDF format to the job application link.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. They are not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities associated with it. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
INCLUSION & EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT: CIRA is fully committed to Equal Employment Opportunity. We do not discriminate based on an individual’s race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, military service, or any characteristics prohibited by law. This policy governs all aspects of employment at CIRA, including recruiting, hiring, assignments, training, promotions, compensation, employee benefits, employee discipline and discharge, and all other terms and conditions of employment.