The Lead Defensive Attorney will serve as lead counsel in Immigration Court proceedings, shaping litigation strategy for asylum cases and providing final review of all defensive work product. At Political Asylum Lawyers, this leadership role combines direct client representation with supervision of junior attorneys, strategic oversight, and quality control in mission-driven asylum and removal defense work.
What You'll Do
- Lead defensive litigation strategy across removal defense cases, including asylum, withholding of removal, and CAT claims, ensuring each case is positioned for the strongest possible outcome before the Immigration Courts
- Represent clients as lead counsel in Master Calendar and Individual Hearings—both virtual and in-person—after preparing clients to testify and ensuring strategic readiness on all procedural and factual issues
- Provide final review and clearance of all legal filings in defensive cases, ensuring accuracy, legal soundness, strategic coherence, and compliance with firm standards
- Draft and refine legal briefs and other filings, taking ownership of final work product quality while working with documents originated by junior attorneys or paralegals
- Mentor and develop attorneys through substantive guidance on legal analysis, persuasive writing, and courtroom advocacy, providing detailed feedback and training that builds their effectiveness before Immigration Courts
- Collaborate across legal teams to ensure cases move efficiently through established workflows while maintaining quality standards, working closely with paralegals, legal assistants, and other attorneys
- Leverage technology, including AI tools, to enhance work product efficiency and quality, adhering to structured workflows while exercising professional judgment to refine legal arguments and case strategy
- Travel to represent clients at Immigration Courts throughout the country, planning for up to two trips of one or two nights per month
- Support the firm’s affirmative asylum team on a limited, as-needed basis, including through case preparation and virtual representation of clients in interviews with USCIS
What We're Looking For
- Must be a licensed attorney eligible to practice law in the United States
- Must be fluent in Spanish (required for the role)
- Must be located in Orlando, Dallas, or Houston
- Must live within an hour’s drive of the nondetained Immigration Court(s) in Orlando, Dallas, or Houston
- Must be available to travel up to two trips of one or two nights per month to represent clients at Immigration Courts across the country
- Must have experience in immigration law, particularly in defensive asylum and removal proceedings
- Must demonstrate sound judgment, strategic thinking, and the ability to craft and strengthen legal arguments
- Must be able to work from home while adhering to structured workflows
- Must be able to track time (no billable hour requirements)
- Must show resilience and emotional maturity due to the emotionally demanding nature of the work
- Must take full ownership of responsibilities and show accountability
- Must communicate proactively and support team members as part of a mission-driven team
Technical Stack
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Large language models
- Structured workflows software
- Legal filing and case management systems (implied)
Team & Environment
- Team includes junior attorneys, paralegals, legal assistants, and other attorneys; led by a Lead Defensive Attorney who supervises and mentors
Benefits & Compensation
- Work from home with flexibility in schedule (within full-time alignment)
- No billable hour requirements
- No expectation of excessive workweeks typical of many law firms
- Opportunity to engage in high-impact, mission-driven work that changes lives
- Professional development through mentoring and leadership responsibilities
- Collaborative team environment guided by core values
- Use of advanced technology and AI tools to improve efficiency and case strength
Work Mode
- Work from home allowed, but must reside within one hour of the Immigration Court in Orlando, Dallas, or Houston
- Frequent in-person court appearances required
- Up to two overnight trips per month for court representation
Political Asylum Lawyers is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
