Staff Attorney
POSITION: Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid (Legal Aid) seeks a full-time staff attorney for a two-year Robins Kaplan Fellowship position. The Fellowship Attorney will be funded by the Robins Kaplan law firm and be placed with Legal Aid's Immigration Law Project located in downtown Minneapolis. After the initial two years, the Fellowship is subject to annual renewal.
Legal Aid provides free civil legal representation to clients with low incomes and seniors throughout 21 counties in central Minnesota, and to people with disabilities throughout the state. The Minneapolis office primarily serves clients living in Hennepin County. Legal Aid's focus is to provide the legal help needed so that its clients can meet their most basic needs such as access to safe and secure housing, safety from domestic violence, access to government programs that provide baseline cash and food support, and access to health care.
In addition to the generous funding for this Fellowship by the law firm of Robins Kaplan, Legal Aid is supported by funding from the State of Minnesota, the federal government, local governments, the United Way, foundations, other local law firms and corporations, etc. Legal Aid enjoys a good rapport with, and strong support from the organized bar. Legal Aid does not receive funds from the Legal Services Corporation.
RESPONSIBILITIES: Legal Aid's Immigration Law Project provides a full range of immigration services to low-income and vulnerable immigrants and refugees. The Fellow's responsibilities will include advising and representing individual clients in immigration law matters including representation before the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) and in immigration court. The Fellow's work will also include policy advocacy, training, outreach, and community education, as appropriate to client needs.
QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must be licensed in Minnesota or eligible for immediate admission by reciprocity. Applicants must also have:
- Demonstrated interest in, and commitment to, the needs of low-income/vulnerable clients, including victims of domestic violence;
- Commitment to working as a team member to serve client needs;
- Excellent communication, analytical, and writing skills; and
- Proficiency using Microsoft Windows and Office is required.
Experience in immigration law is preferred. Experience in immigration court is a plus. Experience in poverty law, legal service work, or equivalent general practice is a plus. Diverse economic, social, and cultural experiences and relevant language skills, particularly Somali or Spanish, are pluses.
SALARY: The Fellowship Attorney will be employed by Robins Kaplan and will receive up to year five on Legal Aid's salary schedule ($50,000 to $54,300) depending on experience. The Fellowship Attorney may also receive funds for health insurance from Robins Kaplan.
STARTING DATE: As soon as possible after position is filled.
Legal Aid is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
Robins Kaplan LLP is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse workforce.