Immigration Attorney II - Public Defender

Summary

Under general direction of the Chief Public Defender, is responsible for providing support services to clients of the Public Defender's Office who are non-citizens and charged with a crime. Primary duty includes gathering information on a client's immigration status, background, criminal history and current charge(s) and advising client on the immigration consequences of various resolutions to the pending criminal charges; preparing and trying criminal cases; supervises support staff and conduct legal research; providing high-quality holistic defense representation and other support to indigent people accused of criminal offenses in Bexar County. Flexibility to achieve performance excellence in a telework arrangement.

This Position is Excluded from Civil Service.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Serves as subject matter expert, individually motivated and operating with a sense of urgency and personal accountability

• Advises non-citizens regarding the full range of immigration consequences associated with their criminal cases, and works with the defense team to mitigate any negative immigration consequences of open criminal cases.

• Create and implement processes to increase efficiency in delivery of Padillaservices.

• Provides client-centered representation to indigent clients.

• Conduct jail visits and communicate with client support system.

• Prepares pre-plea and post-plea memos for clients and attorneys regarding immigration consequences of pending criminal charges, possible case resolutions and their impact on a client's immigration status and availability of relief from removal or adjustment of their status in the United States.

• Negotiates cases with Assistant District Attorneys and other relevant entities.

• Works as a part of a multidisciplinary team to provide holistic representation.

• Performs case law and special legal issues research to obtain information applicable to case or issue under consideration.

• Conducts training seminars for Assistant Public Defenders and court-appointed attorneys regarding immigration issues.

• Prioritizes, plans and organizes work to meet numerous deadlines.

• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Doctorate of Jurisprudence, and four (4) years of immigration experience in State and Federal court; or an equivalent combination of education and experience

• Extensive knowledge and experience working with non-citizens, including experience in representing individuals in Immigration Court before an Immigration Judge and experience with family-based petitions and representation before USCIS and other government agencies.

• Good knowledge of the immigration laws of the United States including, but not limited to, family-based immigration petitions, cancellation of removal under 42A and 42B, asylum, withholding of removal, acquired and derivative citizenship, bars to a finding of "good moral character" and all other potential forms of relief available to a non-citizen of the United States; excellent understanding of the current state of the Immigration Laws of the United States

• Skill in supervising employees; skill in legal research; skill in negotiation; skill in making presentations; skill to communicate effectively with justice involved individuals.

• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing; ability to operate personal computer; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, County employees, outside agencies and the public

• Must be licensed to practice in the State of Texas and in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.

• Must be capable of working under strict deadlines, working independently and have a strong sense of personal accountability. Must have experience managing a large caseload.

• Must be able to work independently and collaboratively, and must be comfortable working with culturally diverse, indigent clients.

• Must secure and maintain a favorable background investigation and clearance

• Must clear a pre-employment physical

• May be required to work more than 40 hours during the workweek

Preferred:

Ability to fluently speak and write in Spanish.

Working Environment and Physical Demands:

• Working conditions are in an office / telework environment

• Occasionally moves items weighing up to 15 pounds

• Occasionally move about the office / telework office

• Frequently communicates with others using approved technological resources; must be able to exchange accurate information through designated systems within a timely manner

• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery

• Positions self to perform essential functions of the job in an office / telework environment

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position

• Flexibility to achieve performance excellence in a telework arrangement

• Maintains County-issued equipment, software, data and supplies

Supplemental Information

Workstations with internet access are available, if needed, to view job postings and apply online at 211 S Flores, San Antonio, TX 78204, 8am - 5pm, Monday through Friday. Phone: 210-335-2545.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Bexar County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to Workplace Diversity. We are committed to providing equal opportunity for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.