Job Overview PASO - West Suburban Action Project (Proyecto de Acción de los Suburbios del Oeste) is a community-based social justice organization that works to engage community members to address issues that affect them, their families, and neighbors with the mission to build stronger communities where all residents can live dignified lives regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic or immigration status. PASO was founded in March 2009 to fight for immigrant rights in west suburban Cook County and other collar counties, and its mission is to develop the leadership skills of the immigrant community so residents can organize, create opportunities, and exercise their collective power. PASO is based in Melrose Park, Illinois, and primarily serves the western Cook County suburbs. PASO provides direct services and community education to immigrants, refugees, and asylees, and helps community members navigate immigration, health, tenant, labor, employment, and other issues that affect their ability to live and thrive. PASO is seeking an experienced immigration attorney to serve in a Staff Attorney role. This position calls for supervision of legal staff with direct legal representation. The Staff Attorney will lead PASO's immigration legal work, supervise and develop the paralegal team, maintain sound legal-service systems and standards, and manage an active caseload of immigration matters. The ideal candidate is a collaborative, systems-oriented immigration attorney who combines strong legal judgment with compassionate client service and effective people leadership. This person should be comfortable moving between hands-on casework, staff supervision, program administration, community education, and organizational leadership. This position is in person and based in Melrose Park, Illinois.

Reports to:

Deputy Director

RESPONSIBILITIES

Staff Attorney / Legal Services Supervise legal department staff, including two paralegals, through regular check-ins, work plans, performance feedback, coaching, professional development, and clear accountability for deadlines and client service. Review and approve paralegal work products and provide legal guidance, training, and case supervision as appropriate. Provide direct legal services and manage an active caseload involving a range of immigration matters, which may include naturalization and citizenship, permanent residency, adjustment of status, consular processing, family petitions, re-entry permits, DACA renewals, U Visas, T Visas, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) matters, humanitarian parole, and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status matters. Conduct and oversee client intake and legal screening to identify potential forms of immigration relief, determine eligibility for PASO legal services, and establish appropriate next steps. Develop case strategy; prepare, review, and file immigration applications, petitions, appeals, motions, waivers, supporting evidence, and other legal documents. Represent clients before relevant government agencies and, as appropriate to the matter and the attorney's licensure and experience, in immigration court proceedings. Conduct legal research and remain current on changes in immigration law, regulations, policy, procedures, and agency practice that may affect PASO clients. Maintain accurate, complete, timely, and confidential client files and ensure appropriate calendaring, deadline management, and case documentation. Partner with the Deputy Director on legal-program strategy, capacity, risk, staffing, and opportunities to expand the visibility and impact of PASO's legal services. Communicate regularly with clients regarding case status, legal options, risks, deadlines, and next steps, translating complex legal matters into clear and accessible language. Coordinate with outside counsel, pro bono attorneys, partner organizations, and other legal-service resources as appropriate. Provide or coordinate Spanish-language communication, translation, and interpretation as needed to support effective client service. Work in the office a minimum of three days a week. Supervise Paralegal's Work in the Areas of Community Education, Outreach & Legal Program Development Plan and lead community legal education activities, including citizenship workshops, Know Your Rights trainings, and other immigration-related presentations. Collaborate with PASO staff to align legal education and outreach with community needs, program goals, and organizational priorities. Identify emerging immigration-law issues affecting PASO's service area and recommend responsive legal-service, education, or referral strategies. Support partnerships and initiatives that strengthen PASO's legal-services capacity and connection to the broader immigrant-rights and legal-services communities.

QUALIFICATIONS

Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school. Active membership in good standing with a state bar and authorization to practice law in the United States. At least 2-4 years of substantive experience practicing immigration law; experience handling a broad range of humanitarian, family-based, citizenship, and removal-related matters is strongly preferred. Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish, including the ability to communicate clearly with clients about complex and sensitive legal matters. Demonstrated experience managing an immigration caseload, drafting legal documents, conducting legal research, and meeting multiple case deadlines. Experience supervising, coaching, or developing paralegals, legal support staff, interns, or other team members. Strong legal judgment, research, writing, analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills. Ability to work compassionately and effectively with clients from diverse backgrounds, including individuals experiencing significant stress, uncertainty, or trauma. Demonstrated commitment to immigrant communities, social justice, community-based legal services, and PASO's model of combining direct service with leadership development and collective power building. Ability to work independently while collaborating closely with organizational leadership and cross-functional teams. Proficiency with Google Workspace and Microsoft Office applications. Preferred Qualifications Prior experience in a nonprofit, community-based, legal-aid, or immigrant-rights organization. Experience supervising a small legal-services team and establishing or improving legal department systems and procedures. Experience facilitating community legal workshops or Know Your Rights trainings. Experience supporting grant-funded legal programs, program reporting, or organizational recognition/accreditation processes related to immigration legal services.

COMPENSATION

Salary of $83,500.00 annually and benefits include 100% employee coverage of medical and dental insurance. In addition, we offer 11 paid holidays, 15 vacation days, 5 floating holidays and 12 sick days, plus 15 days of Winter Break. Cell phone stipend of $40 per month and mileage reimbursement.

TO APPLY

Please send a resume and a cover letter to hiring@pasoaction.org . To ensure prompt attention, put "Staff Attorney" in the subject line. The deadline for applications is October 12, 2026 . Equal Opportunity PASO is an equal opportunity employer. PASO does not discriminate against or tolerate harassment of any employee because of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, physical or mental disability, or any other basis prohibited by law, or protected activity under the anti-discrimination statutes. Women, LGBTQIA people, and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

Pay:

$83,500.00 per year

Benefits:

Dental insurance Health insurance Paid time off Vision insurance

Work Location:

Hybrid remote in Melrose Park, IL 60160