City of Atlanta
Atlanta, GAAssistant Attorney- Immigration (Detention and Removal Defense)
Here at the City of Atlanta, we are passionate about building and improving our community. Our Police Officers, Fire Fighters, and Building Inspectors keep our Citizens safe. Our Public Works Staff keep our City clean and help to maintain, build, and improve our City’s infrastructure. Our City planners help envision and shape future City growth. Our Parks & Recreation professionals enhance our quality of life. Our Engineers help to keep our drinking water clean, the largest airport in the world (by passenger volume) operating, and our buildings maintained. Along with the host of Finance, Procurement, and Human Resources professionals whose support is vital, we are the City of Atlanta! If you’re seeking a meaningful role where you can make a real difference improving and growing our City, we welcome you to explore the job opportunities we have to offer.
SUMMARY
The City of Atlanta Office of the Public Defender seeks a Spanish?speaking bilingual attorney to provide direct representation, community outreach and education to community members in the City of Atlanta with a focus on those facing deportation proceedings and imminent removal. The staff attorney will be a member of the public defender’s office which provides legal services to indigent clients with special emphasis on representing Immigration detainees in the Atlanta City Detention Center.The staff attorney will provide legal assistance to community members through: (1) direct representation (2) individual consultations; and (3) community education. The attorney will provide representation to immigrants in removal proceedings before Atlanta Immigration Court, on appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals, before the federal courts and, before USCIS. The staff attorney may also be assigned work relating to other immigration matters. The staff attorney will also serve as the primary immigration advisor to assistant public defenders on immigration-criminal matters.
REPORTS TO:
Chief Public Defender/Director
Deputy Director
RESPONSIBILITIES
Provide direct representation to clients in immigration court, on appeal to the Board of
Immigration Appeals or before the federal courts;
Provide direct representation to persons submitting affirmative applications with USCIS;
Conduct presentations, workshops, legal clinics and individual consultations in Spanish
and English;
Provide support to Public Defender staff on cases;
Provide direct representation and other forms of legal assistance to individuals in other
types of immigration matters;
Perform administrative tasks related to grant reporting and other requirements;
Collaborate with community partners to facilitate client intakes and connect clients to
services;
Perform other tasks as required and directed by supervisory staff.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND ATTRIBUTES
Juris Doctorate required. Must be a member of the Georgia Bar Association.
Demonstrated commitment to immigrant rights and willingness to support the City of Atlanta Office of the Public Defender holistic mission, vision and values
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Commitment to working in a diverse working environment
Fluent in English and Spanish;
Ability to travel by car;
Strong organizational skills and ability to work independently; and
Proficiency in use of web?based software, MS Word and MS Excel, case managements systems, Legal research software.
Qualifications
Licensures and Certifications
Georgia license to practice law is required