Job Title: Staff Attorney

Reports to: CEO

Location: Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Specific Functions:

The Staff Attorney carries out direct legal services to children in immigration court and survivors of violence with immigration legal needs living in South Dakota. The Staff Attorney will work on a team with case coordinators, paralegals, interns, Community Health Workers, and interpreters and will be supervised by the CEO, an immigration attorney. The Staff Attorney will have opportunities to conduct community presentations, develop educational material, and attend community meetings. Occasional travel includes Immigration Court, South Dakota State Court, and meeting with clients.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Conduct intakes, legal research, fact development, work with multilingual clients, draft and file immigration filings, affidavits, briefs, and prepare clients for interviews and court proceedings.
• Represent clients through immigration court proceedings and understand EOIR practices and procedures.
• Develop trusting relationships with clients, community, staff, and stakeholders.
• Firm adherence to all applicable Professional Responsibility and ethical standards.
• Stay abreast of all policy and rule changes in immigration law.
• Represent SDVFP at regional roundtables and committees pertaining to immigration law and our practice area.
• Represent SDVFP at all meetings and events
• Work with legal team to develop sound strategies in case management.
• Adhere to case management policies and procedures.
• Work with SDVFP team to develop public education materials and communication strategies.
• Conduct relevant presentations in multilingual communities and ability to work with interpreters.
• Work with SD Voices for Justice lobbyists to advance the goals of SD Voices and coalition partners. Support legislative advocacy with legal and policy analysis.
• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace using a personal approach that values all individuals and respects differences in race, ethnicity, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, ability, and socio-economic circumstance.
• Commit to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and/or conflicts.
• Travel as required. 

Additional Information

Our clients are children who may have experienced extreme trauma that may include sexual assault, sexual exploitation and trafficking, physical cruelty, neglect or abuse, and mental cruelty. To work with and represent our clients, this position requires emotional resilience and crisis management skills that entail separating personal feelings and keeping professional boundaries with clients.

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated commitment to the mission and goals of SD Voices for Peace and SD Voices for Justice.
• Licensed to practice law in any U.S. jurisdiction with the ability to join the South Dakota Bar (willing to take the next bar examination or waive in).
• 1-3 years' experience in the legal field with an understanding of state court processes and immigration court processes, or willingness to learn.
• Passionate commitment to and familiarity with immigrants’ rights, racial and social justice, and state issues around immigration.
• Demonstrated ability to work with vulnerable clients.
• Demonstrated ability to work with multilingual clients and interpreters.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a multicultural team.
• Fluency in Spanish (written and spoken) preferred but not necessary.
• Proven ability to work independently as well as within a team.
• Excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to remain empathetic and professional when faced with emotional distress and conflict.
• Demonstrated resilience and effective coping strategies for managing vicarious trauma and stress.
• Exceptional communication and active listening skills, even in emotionally charged conversations.
• Strong sense of self-awareness and ability to process your own emotional responses to challenging and complex situations.
• Creating firm boundaries between attorney and clients
• Understanding that cases may not be resolved in the manner advocated for

SDVFP is an equal opportunity employer and values a diverse and progressive workplace.

This is a full-time position. Competitive salary commensurate with experience. Health benefits; generous paid holidays; optional flexible schedule; student loan repayment; AILA membership, malpractice insurance and SD Bar dues included.

To Apply:

Email a one-page cover letter with salary requirements, resume (2 pages only) and one writing sample (1000 word max) in one PDF file to CEO Taneeza Islam taneeza@sdvfpeace.org. Please use the subject heading, “Staff Attorney Application” Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

The mission of South Dakota Voices for Peace is to build power and enable healing in immigrant, refugee communities by amplifying their voices and working in solidarity with all who dismantle bigotry and racism. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. SD Voices for Peace encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, and veteran status. South Dakota Voices for Justice is a sister organization providing direct lobbying services. Learn more at www.sdvfpeace.org or “SD Voices for Peace” on FB, @sdvfpeace on IG and Twitter.