Introduction:

The Legal Assistant provides immigration legal assistance to low-income immigrants and refugees under the supervision of a licensed attorney. Depending on the assigned team and issue area, this role may support community defense, new beginnings, or other ILCM program areas as needed. The Legal Assistant performs a range of administrative and case support duties to assist ILCM clients.

Whats in it for you?

• The opportunity to make an impact in the community by enhancing opportunities for immigrants and refugees in Minnesota and North Dakota.
• We believe in work-life harmony. This role offers the flexibility to blend remote work with in-office collaboration.

Why ILCM?

• • You will be championing social justice & creating meaningful impact.
  • You will work in a place that values diversity, equity, and belonging. We encourage new ideas, value multiple perspectives, and foster a supportive environment where each role matters.
  • We offer competitive and transparent compensation. We aim to ensure that pay, benefits, and career progression reflect your contributions, impact, and market value.
  • You will work with a committed organization dedicated to serving and empowering clients. ILCMs values are grounded in respect for and partnership with our immigrant and refugee clients.

Primary Responsibilities

70% Case support

• Support attorneys and accredited representatives in providing full legal representation, brief services, legal advice, and referrals to low-income immigrants and refugees, including:
• Screening and conducting intake consultations by phone, Teams, or in person;
• Providing information and referrals to clients;
• Communicating with clients regarding case status and progress;
• Requesting and obtaining documents from clients and government agencies;
• Meeting with clients to obtain signatures on immigration forms, applications, and filings;
• Conducting legal and criminal record research and preparing document requests;
• Researching and preparing country conditions reports;
• Preparing and drafting USCIS and court documents with attorney review for filing;
• Reviewing and analyzing court documents; and
• Tracking deadlines and submitting inquiries for cases outside normal processing times.

10% Administrative support

• Maintain accurate and timely client records in compliance with organizational policies, governmental contracts, grant requirements, and best practices, including organizing, scanning, uploading, and maintaining physical and electronic case files; documenting case notes and correspondence; and preparing and processing letters and case files in the legal database.
• Create new client files in database as well as physical files.

5% Language support

• Provide document translation related to case matters
• Prepare materials and correspondence in one of the primary languages that our clients speak (Spanish, Somali, Hmong, Karen)

10% Outreach

• Participate in community outreach activities, including tabling at community events or participating in clinics.
• Assist on outreach tracking and follow up, as needed.

Secondary Responsibilities 10%

• Complete time records for financial management, grant reporting, and compliance purposes.
• Participate in legal team meetings, case reviews, and monthly all-staff meetings.
• Engage in training and professional development opportunities as assigned or required.
• Assist with proposal development and grant reporting as needed.
• Assist with unscheduled walk-in clients, as needed.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Note that this position does not have a pathway to DOJ accreditation.

Qualifications | Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Paralegal experience or experience working in an attorneys office, preferred.
• Fluency in a language spoken by a significant proportion of ILCMs client population, such as Spanish, Somali, Hmong, Amharic, Oromo, Karen, or Karenni.
• Proficient in all Microsoft programs such as Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams and SharePoint.
• Experience with LegalServer and/or other timekeeping programs preferred.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Able to work well cross-departmentally, handle multiple assignments and meet deadlines.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.
• Familiarity with diverse refugee and immigrant communities, community agencies, and resources.
• Passion for serving the low-income immigrant and refugee community and experience working with persons of diverse economic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds.