The Consulting Attorney for Immigration Legal Services position is a two-year grant-funded opportunity intended to tackle the shortage of accessible immigration legal services in the Greater Pittsburgh region. In this role, the attorney will provide essential legal consultations for individuals seeking immigration pathways, offering comprehensive screenings and detailed explanations of legal options. Additionally, the attorney will mentor pro-bono attorneys, ensuring they are adequately prepared to assist clients in legal filings and representation. This role will require collaboration with multiple stakeholders, such as member organizations of a collaborative initiative, to facilitate effective client referrals and legal service provisions. It is paramount that the attorney reports directly to the director of immigration legal services and actively participates in relevant training to stay informed about policy changes.
The attorney will also play a significant role in coordinating pro-bono legal services. This includes working with community engagement managers and legal service coordinators to develop strategies for mentoring and retaining volunteer attorneys. Critical to this role is the coordination and facilitation of training sessions and community immigration legal clinics, where the attorney will serve as a legal representative. A significant part of their duty will involve publicizing and promoting pro bono projects through engagement and outreach efforts, aiming to ensure appropriate legal representation for clients. They must ensure that cases are assigned, supervised, and managed appropriately by trained pro bono attorneys to guarantee the provision of superior legal services.
To excel in this position, the candidate must possess excellent organizational skills, clear written and verbal communication abilities, and a deep understanding of trauma-informed, culturally sensitive services. The role requires someone who is a collaborative team player with cultural humility and an openness to learning. Independent work capabilities and the ability to manage volunteer work are critical for success in this position. This consulting attorney must also demonstrate the ability to represent the client positively and collaboratively in external engagements, functioning as the main point of contact for immigration legal referrals among participating organizations in the collaborative initiative.