Staff Attorney, Immigration Clinic Community Advocacy Office, William S. Boyd School of Law [R0128685]

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas invites applications for a Staff Attorney, Immigration Clinic Community Advocacy Office, William S. Boyd School of Law [R0128685] 

PROFILE of the UNIVERSITY 

Founded in 1957, UNLV is a doctoral-degree-granting institution comprised of approximately 30,000 students and more than 3,600 faculty and staff. To date, UNLV has conferred more than 152,000 degrees, producing more than 130,000 alumni around the world. UNLV   is classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as an R1 research university with very high research activity. The university is committed to recruiting and retaining top students and faculty, educating the region's diversifying population and workforce, driving economic activity through increased research and community partnerships, and creating an academic health center for Southern Nevada that includes the launch of a new UNLV School of Medicine.  UNLV is located on a 332-acre main campus and two satellite campuses in Southern Nevada. 

Here at UNLV, we have come together and created one of the most affirmative and dynamic academic environments in the country. UNLV sits in the top spot in U.S. News & World Report's annual listing of the nation's most diverse universities for undergraduates. The university has ranked in the top ten since the rankings debuted more than a decade ago. We continue to show our commitment to serving our wonderfully diverse population and building the future for Las Vegas and Nevada. 

 For more information, visit us online at: http://www.unlv.edu  

COMMITMENT to DIVERSITY 

The successful candidate will demonstrate support for diversity, equity and inclusiveness as well as participate in maintaining a respectful, positive work environment. 

BENEFITS 

The University of Nevada Las Vegas offers a generous annual and sick leave package, medical and dental benefits, supplemental voluntary benefits, tuition assistance, and wellness programs. Visit our benefits page for a full listing. 

PROFILE of the WILLIAM S. BOYD SCHOOL OF LAW  

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas William S. Boyd School of Law, a state-supported law school, is the only law school in Nevada. The Law School offers day and evening JD programs to nearly 400 students, as well as an LL.M in Gaming Law and Regulation. The Law School is recognized nationally for its lawyering process program (ranked #1 in the country), the Saltman Center for Dispute Resolution, and its clinical programs. The Law School is a diverse community of faculty, students, and staff who work together, collegially, and respectfully, to maximize the potential of students and to fulfill the mission and aspirations of the Law School.  

ROLE of the POSITION 

The UNLV Immigration Clinic seeks a Staff Attorney for a new off-campus Community Advocacy Office in Las Vegas under the umbrella of the UNLV Immigration Clinic.  The office will provide free deportation defense primarily to unaccompanied children and immigrants in detention, as well as legal assistance to immigrants in higher education in Nevada.     

The Community Advocacy Office will be supported by new funding appropriated by the Nevada Legislature and Clark County Commission in 2021, the first public funding for immigrant legal defense in the state. The Community Advocacy Office will build on the public service work of the UNLV Immigration Clinic, which has maintained a small team of legal fellows to provide limited free legal services to the public since 2014.  

The UNLV Immigration Clinic offers law students real world experience providing pro bono deportation defense and is a community leader in protecting children and families in Nevada. It includes the Bernstein Children's Rights Program, which defends unaccompanied children fleeing violence. It is part of the Thomas & Mack Legal Clinic at the UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law, which aims to offer students an integrated academic and practice-based educational experience, to teach them to be reflective practitioners and community-oriented professionals, to provide service to communities in need of legal assistance, and to improve the quality of access to legal systems in those communities. For more information, visit: https://law.unlv.edu/clinics/immigration . 

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas William S. Boyd School of Law, a state-supported law school, is the only law school in Nevada.  The Law School offers day and evening JD programs to nearly 400 students, as well as an LL.M in Gaming Law and Regulation.  The Law School is recognized nationally for its lawyering process program (ranked #1 in the country), the Saltman Center for Dispute Resolution, and its clinical programs.  The Law School is a diverse community of faculty, students, and staff who work together, collegially, and respectfully, to maximize the potential of students and to fulfill the mission and aspirations of the Law School. 

The UNLV Immigration Clinic has developed three main areas of legal practice:  

• Deportation defense for unaccompanied children 

• Deportation defense for detained adults 

• Immigration legal assistance to students, staff, and their families at UNLV and the College of Southern Nevada 

The new Community Advocacy Office is intended expand and improve these services. With the establishment of the Community Advocacy Office, the UNLV Immigration Clinic seeks to build a durable institution to serve Southern Nevada. The staff attorney's responsibilities will include: 

• Direct representation of immigrant clients in cases before the immigration court, BIA, USCIS, state family court, Ninth Circuit, and/or federal district court.   

• Assisting with training and mentoring junior legal fellows, paralegal staff, and interns to deliver high quality legal representation to immigrants. 

• Supervising, including reviewing junior legal fellow work, if the managing attorney is absent.   

• Performing community education work consistent with the mission of the office. 

• Interacting with community organizations and partners that promote the mission of the office. 

• Contributing to the development and participating in community service projects that further the work of the clinic and create opportunities for learning and service by UNLV students. 

VACCINATION MANDATE POLICY 

Per the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) Emergency COVID-19 Employee Vaccination Policy , all NSHE employees must be vaccinated against COVID-19 or have an approved medical or religious waiver request. All candidates for employment must have this information on file with Human Resources prior to their start date. Information about how the policy applies to new hires is now available on the COVID-19 Employee Vaccine Mandate webpage .  

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

• Must have a J.D. and a law license in good standing in any U.S. state.   

• Minimum 2 years experience as a practicing attorney. 

• Experience working with vulnerable clients. 

• Strong written and oral advocacy skills generally.   

• Demonstrated ability to work independently but also within a team setting, solve problems creatively, handle multiple responsibilities, and take initiative. 

• Demonstrated ability to work professionally under pressure with a diverse team.   

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• Specific experience in removal defense, Board of Immigration Appeals practice, federal Court of Appeals litigation, Nevada family courts, or USCIS applications. The successful candidate may have demonstrated expertise in some relevant areas of law but not necessarily all.   

• Federal district court litigation experience generally.  

• Fluency in Spanish would be a significant asset.   

• Strong public speaking, media, and online communication skills. 

• Admission to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and/or the federal district court of Nevada. 

• Admission to practice law in the State of Nevada would be an asset, though not essential for a successful candidate. 

Credentials must be obtained prior to the start of employment.   

SALARY RANGE 

$68,000 - $75,000.  Funding is secured through mid-2023. Continued employment contingent upon availability of funding. 

 APPLICATION DETAILS 

Submit a letter of interest, a detailed resume listing qualifications and experience, and the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of at least three professional references who may be contacted. Applicants should fully describe their qualifications and experience, with specific reference to each of the minimum and preferred qualifications because this is the information on which the initial review of materials will be based. 

Although this position will remain open until filled, review of candidates' materials will begin on March 9, 2022 and best consideration will be gained for materials submitted prior to that date. Materials should be addressed to Alissa Cooley, Search Committee Chair, and are to be submitted online as we do not accept emailed materials. For assistance with the application process, please contact UNLV Human Resources at (702) 895-3504 or [email protected] . 

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR INTERNAL NSHE CANDIDATES 

UNLV employees or employees within the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) MUST use the "Find Jobs" process within Workday to find and apply for jobs at UNLV and other NSHE Institutions. Once you log into Workday, type "Find Jobs" in the search box which will navigate to the internal job posting site. Locate this specific job posting by typing the requisition number, "R0128685" in the search box. 

If you complete an application outside of the internal application process, your application will be returned and you will have to reapply as an internal applicant which may delay your application. 

SAFETY AND SECURITY STATEMENT 

UNLV is committed to assisting all members of the UNLV community in providing for their own safety and security. The Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report compliance document is available online. 

EEO/AA STATEMENT  

UNLV is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action educator and employer committed to achieving excellence through diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race (including hair texture and protected hairstyles such as natural hairstyles, afros, bantu knots, curls, braids, locks and twists), color, or religion (protected classes), color, religion, sex, age (40 or older), creed, national origin, veteran status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, or any other factor protected by anti-discrimination laws. The University of Nevada, Las Vegas employs only United States citizens and non-citizens lawfully authorized to work in the United States. Women, under-represented groups, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. 

TITLE IX STATEMENT 

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas, does not discriminate on the basis of sex in any education program or activity that it operates.  Non-discrimination on the basis of sex is mandated by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. §§ 1681 et seq.) and the corresponding implementation regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106).  The University's commitment to nondiscrimination in its education programs and activities extends to applicants for admission and employment.  Inquiries concerning the application of these provisions may be referred to:  Michelle Sposito, J.D., Title IX Coordinator, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, Box 451062, Las Vegas, NV 89154-1062, Frank and Estella Beam Hall (BEH) Room 553, Telephone: (702) 895-4055; Email: [email protected] , or to The Assistant Secretary of the United States Department of Education, U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20202-1100; Telephone: 1-800-421-3481 FAX: 202-453-6012; TDD: 1-800-877-8339; Email: [email protected] ; or to both.   

Information pertaining to the University's grievance procedures and grievance process, including how to report or file a complaint of sex discrimination, how to report or file a formal complaint of sexual harassment, and how the University will respond can be found online at the Office of Equal Employment & Title IX webpage. 

Job Category 

Administrative Faculty 

Required Attachment(s)

Submit a letter of interest, a detailed resume listing qualifications and experience, and the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of at least three professional references who may be contacted.

UNLV is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action educator and employer committed to achieving excellence through diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, color, religion, sex, age, creed, national origin, veteran status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, or any other factor protected by anti-discrimination laws. The University of Nevada, Las Vegas employs only United States citizens and non-citizens lawfully authorized to work in the United States. Women, under-represented groups, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.