Immigration Paralegal

Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, a national law firm, currently has an exciting full-time employment opportunity for an Immigration Paralegal to work on various family-based and humanitarian matters in our Chicago office. We offer competitive compensation and an excellent benefits package.

Position Summary:
Our Chicago office is seeking an Immigration Paralegal who will work with attorneys to prepare and file high-quality, specialized documents relating to various family-based and humanitarian immigration matters according to established practices and procedures. Additionally, the Immigration Paralegal will monitor immigration law matters. This position will work directly with clients and collaboratively with attorneys, paralegals and legal assistants on our immigration team.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Perform substantive client-facing tasks including but not limited to preparing communications to clients and government agencies.
• Identify and thoughtfully evaluate troublesome and complex issues and provide strategies to resolve same, partnering with attorney team as necessary.
• Request, collect and organize client information related to the filing of petitions and applications, particularly family and humanitarian based applications and consular processing
• Assist with drafting and filing petitions and applications with government agencies.
• Perform necessary background and investigative research related to filing of petitions and applications as necessary.
• Initiate contact with government agencies to obtain necessary and relevant information related to the filing of petitions and applications.
• Continually review and track status of all filed petitions and applications.
• Provide status updates to clients and attorneys alike.
• Docket filing dates and deadlines for responses, and monitor for timeliness.

Qualifications and Prior Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree is preferred; Additionally, three (3) or more years of immigration paralegal experience in family-based immigration is required. Only applicants with this experience will be considered.
• Strong knowledge in the area of immigration law.
• Experience preparing immigration petition and applications particularly family and humanitarian based applications and consular processing.
• Superior analytical and writing skills.
• Immigration case management systems.
• Working knowledge of internet, Excel and Microsoft Word software.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully.
• Demonstrates accuracy, thoroughness and attention to detail.
• Looks for ways to improve and promote quality.
• Synthesizes complex or diverse information.
• Takes independent actions and calculated risks; asks for help when needed.
• Follows instructions, responds to management direction; commits to additional hours of work when necessary to reach goals.
• Balances team and individual responsibilities; contributes to building a positive team environment.
• Maintains confidentiality.
• Acts as a case manager, moving the matter along, anticipating next steps and proactively discussing same with attorneys.

As an EEO/AA employer, Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran or disability status or any other factor prohibited by law.