Lead Defensive Attorney
This role leads the strategic and legal direction of defensive asylum cases in Immigration Court, combining high-level litigation oversight with direct client representation. As final reviewer of all defensive filings, you will ensure legal precision, procedural compliance, and strategic strength across every case. You will serve as lead counsel in Master Calendar and Individual Hearings—both virtual and in-person—preparing clients for testimony and managing complex removal proceedings from start to finish.
Key Responsibilities
- Direct litigation strategy for asylum, withholding of removal, and Convention Against Torture (CAT) claims, positioning each case for optimal outcomes in adversarial settings
- Appear regularly in Immigration Court as lead counsel, with frequent in-person appearances required within one hour of Orlando, Dallas, or Houston
- Conduct final review of all legal submissions, ensuring accuracy, coherence, and adherence to firm-wide quality standards
- Develop and refine legal briefs, motions, and appeals, often originating from junior staff, while maintaining ownership of final work product
- Train and guide attorneys in legal reasoning, persuasive writing, and courtroom performance through structured feedback and hands-on mentorship
- Coordinate with paralegals, legal assistants, and cross-functional teams to maintain efficient case progression without compromising quality
- Use AI and digital tools to improve drafting efficiency and case management, applying professional judgment to refine outputs
- Travel up to two overnight trips per month to represent clients at Immigration Courts across the country
- Provide occasional support to affirmative asylum teams, including case preparation and virtual representation in USCIS interviews
Requirements
- Fluency in Spanish is required
- Must be based in Orlando, Dallas, or Houston and live within a 60-minute drive of the local nondetained Immigration Court
- Ability to appear frequently in person at court and travel as needed
- Work remotely with structured workflows and consistent availability for court schedules
- Demonstrated judgment, strategic thinking, and ability to strengthen legal arguments under pressure
- Commitment to professionalism, leadership, and excellence in high-stakes environments
Work Environment
This is a hybrid role requiring home-based work with regular in-person court appearances and periodic travel. No billable hour expectations; focus remains on meaningful impact and sustainable practice. The work is emotionally intense and demands resilience, maturity, and dedication to immigrant clients’ futures. Team culture emphasizes integrity, accountability, and passionate collaboration. Technology integration supports efficiency, but legal strategy remains rooted in human insight and ethical rigor.
