Legal Assistant

About the Organization


Haitian Bridge Alliance, Inc. (HBA) also known as The BRIDGE is a 501(c)(3) grassroots nonprofit community organization that advocates for fair and humane immigration policies and provides migrants and immigrants with humanitarian, legal, and social services, with a particular focus on Black migrants, the Haitian community, women and girls, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and survivors of torture and other human rights abuses. HBA works to elevate the issues unique to Black migrants and build solidarity and collective movement toward policy change.
HBA is made up of, and collaborates with, diverse people from different backgrounds, cultures, languages, classes, and education levels. HBA is committed to extending the values it fights for to its working environment and relations, and expects its staff and volunteers to be committed to the core values of integrity, honesty, fairness, openness, respect, and responsibility.

About the Role
HBA is looking for a legal assistant or paralegal who is comfortable working both in person and remotely, under the supervision of the legal director, managing attorney, and staff attorney(s), can coordinate correspondence with asylum seekers and other immigrants and provide them with preliminary legal services, either in individual or group settings. They will also provide support for TPS holders and those eligible for TPS. DOJ Accreditation is preferred but not necessary and salary would reflect the qualification. Working environment is fast-paced but flexible.

Primary Responsibilities
Regularly communicate with HBA staff and volunteers, including the senior staff attorney, to whom you will report;
Conduct legal screenings and intake interviews with asylum seekers and other immigrants across the United States, with a focus on California;
Provide consultations and regularly communicate with clients and answer questions about their cases;
Provide legal consultations and direct services to TPS holders and those eligible for TPS;
Provide accurate information/referrals to clients and assist in placing cases with partner legal service providers;
Assist clients with bonds and parole;
Assists attorneys with their cases;
Visit clients and prospective clients in detention facilities in California;
If DOJ accredited, provide remote, limited scope legal assistance to TPS holders, asylum seekers in removal proceedings, including assisting with credible fear interviews, bonds and parole requests, and filing motions to change venue, asylum applications, and notices of appeal;
Obtain legal documents such as passports that are necessary for immigration case;
Assist in reintegration program when clients are released from detention;
Participate in organizing and presenting know-your-rights trainings in the United States and Mexico;
Help coordinate projects and events that advocate for fair and humane immigration policies.

This is a full-time, salaried position. Competitive salary and benefits.

Qualifications
English and Haitian Kreyol fluency is required;
Associates or Bachelors Degree or Paralegal certificate is preferred;
DOJ Accredited Representative is preferred, HBA will assist in getting accreditation;
1-year direct experience providing legal assistant services, immigration legal experience is preferred;
Working knowledge of immigration law, policies, and procedures;
Strong oral and written communication skills, including in both legal advocacy and client communications;
Able to provide accurate information/referrals to clients with legal and humanitarian needs to partner service providers;
Applicants should be self-directed and self-reliant, highly organized, flexible, and able to juggle multiple projects at once;
Able to self-start on projects and to be proactive in anticipating the needs of the project;
Able to work in a fast-paced and often stressful environment;
Willingness to live and work in Southern California is strongly preferred.

How to Apply
Send a cover letter, resume, and three references to HR@haitianbridge.org using the subject line Legal Assistant Application. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Only applicants considered for an interview will be contacted.

HBA is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from Black immigrants, Indigenous people, people of color (BIPOC), Latinx people, people with disabilities, LGBTQAI+ people, women, and members of underrepresented communities.

Flexible work from home options available.