Legal Assistant

SEM Seguridad is offering secure screening of candidates and hiring on behalf of Chavez & Valko LLP.

Company Description: Chavez & Valko LLP has built its reputation on deep expertise across every area of U.S. immigration and naturalization law, sustained community engagement, and exceptional client service. Our employment-based practice combines experienced attorneys, dedicated paralegals, and modern case management technology to deliver responsive, accurate work for corporate clients of all sizes.

Role Description: The paralegal will support attorneys handling removal defense matters before the immigration courts, with some family-based immigration work as needed. The role involves substantial client contact, court preparation, and research into country conditions and forms of relief — including asylum, withholding of removal, CAT protection, cancellation of removal, and humanitarian visas (U, T, VAWA, SIJS).

Responsibilities include:

• Managing removal cases from intake through resolution, including maintaining organized client files and tracking EOIR deadlines, master calendar dates, and individual hearing dates
• Drafting motions, pre-hearing briefs, applications for relief (I-589, EOIR-42A/B, I-918, I-360, etc.), and supporting affidavits under attorney supervision
• Conducting country conditions research for asylum, withholding, and CAT claims using DOS reports, UNHCR materials, and reputable secondary sources
• Preparing court submissions, including exhibit indices, witness lists, and proposed orders, and filing through EOIR ECAS
• Communicating with clients in English and Spanish to gather declarations, collect supporting evidence, and provide case updates
• Providing interpretation support during client meetings and assisting with translation of supporting documents
• Liaising with USCIS, ICE (ERO and OPLA), EOIR, and DHS counsel regarding case status, filings, prosecutorial discretion requests, and stays of removal
• Assisting with BIA appeals, motions to reopen, motions to reconsider, and federal court petitions for review
• Coordinating with detention facilities for client visits, phone calls, and document delivery where applicable
• Maintaining case calendaring, timekeeping, and billing records

Qualifications

Required

• Minimum 2 years of paralegal experience in immigration law, with substantive experience in removal defense
• Working knowledge of EOIR procedures, the Immigration Court Practice Manual, and applications for relief from removal
• Proficiency in legal research tools (Westlaw, Lexis, or equivalent) and immigration case management software
• Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish, both written and spoken, including the ability to interpret between attorneys and clients
• Strong writing, organizational, and case management skills with demonstrated ability to manage multiple cases and deadlines
• Sensitivity and professionalism when working with clients in vulnerable circumstances, including detained clients and survivors of trauma

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree or paralegal certificate from an ABA-approved program
• Paralegal certification (CP, ACP, RP, or equivalent)
• Experience with EOIR ECAS and ICE online portals
• Familiarity with country conditions research databases (Refworld, ecoi.net, etc.)
• Prior work with detained populations, asylum seekers, or survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, or persecution