Immigration Paralegal

About the role

Barnes and Thornburg is a national law firm, and its Immigration and Global Mobility Services practice group is growing. We are looking for an Immigration Paralegal to join the team in South Bend. In this role you will support attorneys on a full caseload of business immigration matters, preparing petitions and applications that let companies hire and keep skilled workers from around the world. You will be the person who knows the process requirements for each visa category, who keeps deadlines on the calendar, and who makes sure the paperwork is complete before it goes to the attorney for review. The work is detail heavy, deadline driven, and very rewarding when a client receives the approval they worked toward for months. You will manage your own docket and communicate directly with clients and attorneys, which means you need to be organized, clear, and calm under pressure.

Key facts

• Full time position based in South Bend, Indiana.
• Practice group handles business and global mobility immigration.
• You will prepare petitions across H, L, TN, O, E, PERM, I-140, and adjustment of status matters.
• The firm also supports family and humanitarian filings such as K-1, I-130, N-400, and DACA.
• You will own a case docket and communicate directly with clients and attorneys.

What you'll do

• Prepare business non-immigrant and immigrant visa petitions, including H, L, TN, O, and E categories.
• Prepare employment-based immigrant filings such as PERM, I-140, and adjustment of status applications.
• Support additional filings including K-1, I-130, N-400, and DACA as needed.
• Independently analyze case documents and prepare complete application packages for attorney review.
• Manage your own docket, track deadlines, and keep every case moving forward.
• Communicate proactively with clients about their cases and with attorneys about workload and priorities.
• Monitor changes in immigration law and policy and share updates with the team.
• Gather and organize supporting documentation, including evidence for eligibility under each visa category.
• Prepare forms and correspondence and file submissions with the relevant government agencies.
• Support the team with other duties as assigned when caseload and priorities shift.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree preferred, or equivalent training, education, and experience.
• Previous experience preparing business immigration applications.
• Working knowledge of visa petitions including H, L, TN, O, E, PERM, I-140, AOS, K-1, and related categories.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to review documents for completeness and accuracy.
• Ability to manage multiple cases and deadlines at the same time.
• Clear written and verbal communication with clients and attorneys.
• Comfort working with confidential personal and business information.
• Proficiency with standard office software and case management systems.

Nice to have

• Experience with DACA, N-400, and I-130 filings.
• Paralegal certification or coursework in immigration law.
• Prior experience in a law firm setting.
• Familiarity with federal filing systems and procedural requirements for immigration submissions.

Skills & tools

• Immigration case management software.
• Microsoft Office and document management tools.
• Legal research and regulatory tracking resources.
• Electronic filing systems used by immigration agencies.
• Strong organizational and calendar management habits.

Practical notes

• This is an in-office role in South Bend, and you will work closely with a local attorney team.
• Case deadlines are firm, so a calm, organized approach to scheduling matters.
• You will carry your own docket rather than only supporting one attorney, which gives real ownership of the work.
• The practice group handles a wide range of visa categories, so the learning curve is continuous and practical.

Project highlights

In your first months you will take ownership of a set of business immigration cases from start to finish, build a system for tracking every deadline and requirement, and become the reliable point of contact that clients and attorneys depend on for status updates.

Why you should apply

This role puts you at the center of helping companies build international teams and helping people build lives in the United States. You will have a clear docket, direct client contact, and the support of a well-established national firm. If you like detailed work with real outcomes and a schedule that never feels boring, this is a strong place to grow.