Careers

The Opportunity

Right now, families are being separated faster than the courts can hear their cases. This is where you show up for them. You'll provide real-time legal interventions to individuals impacted by immigration enforcement, including raids, arrests and detention.

Part of your work is direct representation: representing clients before USCIS, the Immigration Courts, the Board of Immigration Appeals and federal District Courts, including removal defense and custody cases such as habeas petitions or bond hearings. Part of it is community lawyering: community outreach, coordination with community partners, group processing events, and Know Your Rights trainings that reach someone before they ever need a courtroom.

What You'll Do

What follows are the core responsibilities of this role, the work that will fill most of your week. It isn't meant to be a complete list. Casework shifts with client need, court schedules, and whatever the organization needs most in a given season, and no list this short could capture all of that. This gives you a general picture of the role, not a complete list of everything it could include.

Direct Legal Services and Casework

• Provide urgent, time-sensitive legal services to individuals impacted by immigration enforcement, including raids, arrests and detention. Availability and travel may be required in the early morning, evenings and weekends.

• Conduct legal screenings and individualized consultations to detained immigrants several times a week to provide legal information and brief advice and to screen potential clients for eligibility for relief.

• Represent adults, families and children, including unaccompanied children, before USCIS, the Immigrant Courts, the Board of Immigration Appeals, Ohio state courts and federal District Courts, including removal defense and custody cases such as habeas petitions or bond hearings.

• Represent clients at immigration-related appointments such as credible-fear interviews and ICE check-ins.

Community Lawyering and Outreach

• Coordinate with community partners and rapid response networks.

• Participate in IRLC's outreach, community education, and development efforts. This includes conducting Know Your Rights presentations and presenting at community events.

• Conduct broader outreach in the community and work closely with directly affected groups to identify needs and provide additional support as needed.

Requirements

• Juris Doctorate Degree

• Licensed attorney in good standing in any U.S. state (Ohio bar preferred and, if required, willingness and ability to obtain licensure in Ohio and federal District Courts)

• Deep dedication to immigration legal services, working with individuals in detention, commitment to working with members of marginalized groups, and people with prior history of involvement in the criminal and immigration legal systems

• Strong case management, legal research, and legal writing skills

• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work under pressure

• Ability to manage a fast-paced caseload

• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team

• Comfort and interest in conducting Know Your Rights training and community presentations

• Valid driver's license and reliable vehicle access for regional travel

Preferred Qualifications

• Immigration law experience (non-profit or private practice), but can also include law school clinics and/or internships

  • Experience with any of the following case types is helpful: asylum/withholding/CAT, special immigrant juvenile status (child custody/family court/guardianship), VAWA, U/T Visas, cancellation of removal, waivers, adjustment of status, immigration consequences of criminal convictions, bond, humanitarian parole, post-conviction relief, habeas petitions, BIA appeals, motions to reopen

• Experience representing detained immigrants in removal proceedings and/or federal court litigation

• Strong litigation, trial, and/or community advocacy skills

• Experience delivering Know Your Rights training or other community legal education

• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team

• Spanish language proficiency is strongly preferred, however those with fluency in other languages may be considered

How We Work: Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Based out of IRLC's office in Cincinnati, Ohio, with frequent travel to detention facilities in IRLC's service area. Operations are currently hybrid/in-person, requiring at least three days a week in the office or other work-related locations. The first three months require full-time work in the office or at the detention facility. Additional or alternative days in the office, detention facility, or community may be required, and evening/weekend availability is needed at times.

• Requires frequent sitting, keyboarding, and face-to-face or phone communication.

• Regular travel to detention facilities, court hearings, interviews, and community events or trainings.

• May require walking several blocks or overnight travel.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary: $75,000–$85,000 per year, depending on experience.

Professional Membership

• IRLC provides attorneys with professional membership opportunities and opportunities to attend conferences, trainings and seminars/webinars.

• IRLC covers Ohio Bar Dues (or state equivalent) for all attorneys.

Holidays and Paid Time Off (PTO)

• 11 paid holidays

• Annual week-long holiday office closure

• Flexible PTO

Health, Dental and Vision

• Coverage begins the first of the month following 30 days on the job

• Health Insurance

• Dental and Vision Insurance

Retirement Savings Plan and Employer Contribution

• Eligibility to participate in IRLC's Simple IRA retirement plan (IRLC contributes 2%)

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

• As a 501(c)(3), full-time IRLC staff with qualifying student loans are eligible for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program

If This Position Calls to You

Please send your resume and cover letter explaining why this role is a great fit for you to admin@irlawcenter.org. Please also include a writing sample and a list of 3 professional references.

Applicants are encouraged to apply before September 1, 2026. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

IRLC is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming workplace. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates.