Job Information
YWCA Kalamazoo Staff Attorney in Kalamazoo, Michigan
YWCA Kalamazoo is on a Mission!
* *At YWCA Kalamazoo, we look for people who want to make a difference and do something that MATTERS. YWCA Kalamazoo is your ally who is on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women, stand up for social justice, help families, and strengthen communities. When you work for YWCA Kalamazoo, you become part of a worldwide movement: eliminating racism and empowering women.
Simply put, YWCA Kalamazoo draws together members who strive to create opportunities for women's growth, leadership, and power to attain a common vision of peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all people.
Our employee-centric philosophies focus on taking care of you and promoting a healthy work-life balance. We offer a benefits package tailored with YOU in mind!
WHAT YOU'LL DO:
PRIMARY FUNCTION: The YWCA Staff Attorney provides comprehensive legal assistance to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, stalking, and human trafficking in an array of proceedings to assist them in stabilizing their lives and when seeking justice.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Applicants must possess a law degree from an accredited institution and be licensed in Michigan.
- Membership and good standing with the State Bar of Michigan.
- Preferred candidates will have at least three years' experience working with marginalized and victimized populations in the context of providing civil legal or social services, or in the context of serving in prosecution or indigent defense
- Must pass criminal, child abuse and neglect, and sex offender background checks.
- Strong personal work ethic and ability to organize time, manage diverse activities, and meet critical deadlines with minimal supervision.
- Excellent writing, editing, and proof-reading skills, with ability to be detail oriented.
- Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to work collaboratively with a dynamic team.
- Curious and self-directed with an ability to anticipate what needs to be done.
- Ability to simultaneously manage multiple projects while maintaining a firm grasp of individual project details.
- Exhibits humility in working with colleagues and clients across the spectrum of diversity, including race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, immigrant status, religious identity, physical and mental disabilities, and/or limited English proficiency.
- Willingness to take direction, flexibility, ability to be productive in a public workspace, high ethical standard and common sense are all required.
- Fluency in Spanish is preferred, but not required
- Must possess a valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
- Applicant must have experience in immigration law
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITES:
Provides representation to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking during case processing, USCIS conducted interviews, and EOIR proceedings.
Conducts research on current immigration laws and policies and develops strategic plans to achieve client goals.
Prepares, reviews, and submits various immigration applications/petitions, Request for Evidence (RFE) responses, and legal briefs for submission to government agencies, including but not limited to USCIS and EOIR.
Provides legal consultations to assess immigration needs and provide clients with legal advice.
Represents low-income survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking in an array of family court and housing court proceedings, including dissolution, child custody and support, restraining orders, and evictions.
Supervises and trains the department of justice accredited representative.
Provides advocacy, including entering n