Position will remain posted until filled. Applications and interviews will be reviewed/conducted on a rolling basis.
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge is seeking a full-time Staff Attorney to meet the needs of indigent immigrants by providing direct representation and assistance in applying for immigration benefits before USCIS representation services for immigrants and their families facing removal proceedings at the Oakdale, Jena and New Orleans Immigration Courts in Louisiana. The Staff Attorney will also provide non-representative Legal Orientation Program (LOP) services to immigration detainees in the immigration detention centers located in rural Louisiana. Travel is anticipated for a minimum of three to eight days per month. This position requires maintaining external relationships and representing the agency to the public, as such it requires a polished business-like demeanor and professional appearance, which excludes unnatural hair color, conspicuous body art, and facial piercings.
Qualifications:
Education: J.D. from an accredited ABA institute
Preferred Experience: 6 months – 2 years of immigration law practice experience. Law school clinical experience, externships, or other similar training may be considered in lieu of practice experience. Experience with criminal defense or litigation with a willingness to learn immigration law will also be considered.
Certification/Licensure: Louisiana license preferred. Admitted to practice law in any state or the District of Columbia is acceptable.
Valid driver’s license and vehicle insurance
Completion of background checks such as driving record, criminal record, sex offense registry, state, and local police records, or national sources such as FBI and E-Verify as required by funding agencies or determined necessary by Catholic Charities, and results must be satisfactory to CCDBR, its representatives, employees, or agents as an essential requirement of employment.
Skills:
Spanish fluency – reading, writing, and speaking preferred
Working knowledge of the Microsoft Office platform
Ability to work with a diverse population with diverse needs
Ability to adhere to deadlines and other demands as needed
Ability to think strategically and creatively problem solve
Exercises good judgment and ability to lead change
Proven ability to work in a dynamic team and build strong working relationships
Ability to flexibly share leadership and build consensus
Ability to take initiative and make difficult decisions when necessary
Excellent analytical and abstract reasoning skills
Physical Demands and Work Environment
Must be able to lift 5 to 20 lbs. occasionally for 5 – 30 minutes. This position requires the employee to walk, stoop, lift, bend, squat, kneel, climb, and handle. Sitting for 6 to 7 hours a day is expected for this position.
Long-distance travel by automobile is expected for a minimum of three (3) days per month
Occasional air travel may be required for continuing legal education and training purposes
Standing for 2-4 hours per day may be required while facilitating the LOP
Job Type: Full-Time Employee (Exempt)
Qualified applicants interested in this position should submit their resumes with a cover letter.
Catholic Charities is a mission-based organization and Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider it a privilege to serve people of all faiths and socio-economic backgrounds. Our leadership is mission-driven, energetic, disciplined, and self-motivated. We value diversity, service, compassion, and accountability; we hold ourselves responsible for delivering outcomes that change people’s lives.
Benefits:
401(k)
401(k) matching
Dental Insurance
Employee assistance program
Health insurance
Health savings account
Life insurance
Paid time off
Vision insurance
Qualifications:
Education: J.D. from an accredited ABA institute
Preferred Experience: 6 months – 2 years of immigration law practice experience. Law school clinical experience, externships, or other similar training may be considered in lieu of practice experience. Experience with criminal defense or litigation with willingness to learn immigration law will also be considered.
Certification/Licensure: Louisiana license preferred. Admitted to practice law in any state or the District of Columbia is acceptable.
Valid driver’s license and vehicle insurance
Completion of background checks such as driving record, criminal record, and sex offense registry, state and local police records, or national sources such as FBI and E-Verify as required by funding agencies or determined necessary by Catholic Charities and results must be satisfactory to CCDBR, its representatives, employees, or agents as an essential requirement of employment.
About Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge Inc.
Our History
Catholic Charities of Baton Rouge traces its history back to the oldest Catholic Charities in the nation. It has existed as an integral part of the Diocese of Baton Rouge since the inception of the Diocese in 1964. Both the Diocese of Baton Rouge and Catholic Charities of Baton Rouge grew out of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, and its Catholic Charities agency was the first in the U.S., established in 1805. The Baton Rouge agency serves those most in need with an array of comprehensive programs that include direct assistance, disaster recovery, adoption, child-welfare services, and comprehensive supportive services for pregnant women, refugees, families in poverty, and ex-offenders. We are the area’s leading disaster recovery agency.
We serve people of all faiths in Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupée, St. Helena, St. James, Tangipahoa, West Baton Rouge, and West Feliciana parishes. We’re a member agency of Capital Area United Way.
Our Structure
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, Inc., has a two-tiered governance structure. The Corporate Board of Directors is comprised of the Bishop and cha...ncery leadership. Its reserved powers are limited to broad issues, such as appointing the Advisory Board members and disposition of corporate assets. The Advisory Board is responsible for all business not reserved for the Corporate Board, primarily assuring the Catholic Mission of the agency is represented in the management of the agency, its programs, budgets, and the operations of Catholic Charities. It exercises general oversight of the ordinary business affairs of Catholic Charities, such as approving and monitoring budgets and contracts, and adopting policies and procedures for the agency. Its membership is comprised of diverse representatives that both reflect the community served by Catholic Charities and bring critical areas of expertise important to operations. Catholic Charities also has a standing committee, the Programs and Services Committee. It is comprised of board members and community representatives. Its purpose is to review new programs and policies, changes to existing ones, and make recommendations to agency leadership and the Advisory Board. Membership on the board and committee is voluntary; members serve without compensation.
