Immigration Attorney or Senior Attorney at University of Maryland Baltimore

Job Description
The University of Maryland Support, Advocacy, Freedom, and Empowerment (SAFE) Center for Human Trafficking Survivors is seeking an Immigration Attorney or Senior Immigration Attorney (commensurate with experience), dedicated to the SAFE Center's mission, to provide legal immigration counsel and advice and provide direct, trauma-informed immigration legal services to survivors of sex and labor trafficking. This position operates within a multidisciplinary services context and coordinates with the SAFE Center's social services, clinical services, and economic empowerment teams on shared matters. The selected candidate for this position is eligible for a sign-on bonus totaling a minimum of $4,000. Half of the bonus is payable within the first 30 days of hire and the remaining half is payable after successful completion of 12-month probationary period. The sign on bonus is eligible only to candidates new or returning to UMB. The mission of the SAFE Center is to provide survivor-centered and trauma-informed services that empower trafficking survivors to heal and reclaim their lives, and prevent trafficking and better serve survivors through research and advocacy. Our mission is grounded in social justice and active efforts to fight systemic racism which is a root cause of human trafficking. The SAFE Center provides social, legal, mental health, and economic empowerment services to survivors of sex and labor trafficking of any age, nationality, or gender. We provide comprehensive legal immigration representation from affirmative petitions to removal defense, often through adjustment of status and naturalization. We also coordinate with low bono attorneys who specialize in areas we do not provide in-house, such as a family law and consumer debt issues. More information is available on the SAFE Center's website at This position is located in College Park, Maryland, and offers the flexibility of a hybrid work arrangement. Candidates will be required to complete a background check. Benefits Information
UMB offers a comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes wellness, work/life balance, and professional development. This position participates in a retirement program that must be selected and is effective on your date of hire. Exempt regular staff receive a generous leave package that includes over 4 weeks of vacation accrued each year, paid holidays, unlimited accrual of sick time, and comprehensive health insurance; professional learning and development programs; tuition remission for employees and their dependents at any University System of Maryland school; and flexible work schedules and teleworking options (if applicable per job). UMB employees are strongly encouraged to follow all CDC recommendations related to COVID-19 vaccinations and booster doses. Employees whose job duties require them to work in clinical settings or field sites continue to be subject to the vaccine requirements of those sites. For additional information on protocols and exemptions, please visit the COVID-19 website. PRIMARY DUTIES - IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY:
Direct Services
• Deliver high quality legal immigration services in compliance with all ethical and professional rules.
• Provide broad-based immigration advice, counseling, and direct legal representation to clients in immigration legal matters including T and U visa applications, asylum and withholding of removal, special immigrant juvenile status, removal defense, and related immigration relief.
• Represent clients before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Executive Office for Immigration Review, the Board of Immigration Appeals, and the U.S. Department of State.
• Advocate with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and other branches of law enforcement in requesting continued presence, deferred action and advanced parole/ humanitarian parole when appropriate. Legal Services Program Support
• Facilitate legal team coordination with SAFE Center social services, economic empowerment services, and behavioral health services for holistic client care.
• Work with the team to identify needs that can be filled by law student interns, and assist team with intern recruiting and supervision.
• Provide input for grant proposals and grant reporting for program funding.
• Keep SAFE Center leadership and teams apprised of changes in immigration law and policy and their effect on SAFE Center clients. Adapt legal immigration program as necessary in response to changed policy and evolving community needs.
• Organize and maintain client files and timely collection and accurate input of data. PRIMARY DUTIES - SENIOR IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY:
• Plan, develop, administer and coordinate services to align with legal partners for broader strategic initiatives such as civil litigation, impact litigation, and filing of amicus briefs.
• Supervise junior attorney(s).
• Assist in developing partnerships with and supervising volunteer, pro bono, and low bono attorneys.
• Handle and advise on more complex legal matters.
• Perform the duties of the Immigration Attorney. Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications - Immigration Attorney:
Education: Juris Doctorate degree or equivalent from an ABA accredited school of law.
Experience: Two (2) years of legal experience with at least one (1) year experience in immigration law. Established relationships with local legal service providers and experience working with diverse populations preferred.
Certification/Licensure: Admission to Maryland Bar or appropriate Bar Association where work is conducted at time of hire.
Other: Verbal and written fluency in Spanish and English. Annual financial disclosure required by Maryland State Law. Minimum Qualifications - Senior Immigration Attorney:
Education: Juris Doctorate degree or equivalent from an ABA accredited school of law.
Experience: Three (3) years of legal experience with at least two (2) years experience in immigration law. Established relationships with local legal service providers and experience working with diverse populations preferred.
Certification/Licensure: Admission to Maryland Bar or appropriate Bar Association where work is conducted at time of hire.
Other: Verbal and written fluency in Spanish and English. Annual financial disclosure required by Maryland State Law.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Knowledge in all relevant areas of immigration law, including immigration relief eligibility and removal defense representation.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to establish priorities and meet internal and external deadlines.
• Possess excellent research, writing, and oral advocacy skills.
• Ability to adapt legal skills to changing legal environment; ability to acquire and apply new subject matter expertise.
• Ability to apply critical thinking skills to anticipate and find the source of challenges, and propose and advocate for effective solutions. Demonstrate creative problem solving skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including a positive, cooperative, affirming, and professional demeanor, with SAFE Center colleagues, staff, university officials, partner organizations, clients, grantors, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to work as an effective team member in a multidisciplinary setting.
• Demonstrate cultural competency skills. Demonstrate skills and commitment to working with clients who may have complex trauma and a variety of legal, social services, and other needs.
• Ability to demonstrate, understand, apply, and adhere to the UMB Core Values of Respect and Integrity, Well-being and Sustainability, Equity and Justice, and Innovation and Discovery.
The hiring range for the Attorney is in the $70,000s, commensurate with education and experience.The hiring range for the Senior Attorney is in the low $80,000s to low $90,000s, commensurate with education and experience. UMB is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law or policy. For assistance related to employment, please contact the Staffing department at If you anticipate needing a reasonable accommodation for a disability under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), during any part of the employment process, please submit a UMB Job Applicant Accommodation Request. You may also contact Please note that only inquiries concerning an ADA request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.

Job: Reg or CII Exempt Staff
Shift: Day Job
Organization: Graduate School
Job Posting: Oct 12, 2022
Unposting Date: Ongoing