Lead Immigration Attorney - Humanitarian Immigration

About the role

You will establish the strategic direction and operational identity of a new humanitarian immigration practice in Houston, Texas, serving as the primary legal leader from inception. You own the full lifecycle of client representation, from initial consultation through complex litigation in immigration courts, while shaping the ethical and professional standards of the team. This role requires you to build sustainable processes for case management, intake, and administrative workflows that allow the practice to scale efficiently. You will act as the public face of the practice, fostering trust with clients, partners, and stakeholders in a sensitive and mission-driven area of law. You will oversee high-stakes matters including asylum applications, defense in removal proceedings, and specialized humanitarian relief cases. You are responsible for ensuring rigorous legal analysis, precise documentation, and proactive risk management across all case types. You will mentor and collaborate with future team members to cultivate a culture of excellence, empathy, and institutional knowledge in humanitarian immigration.

Key facts

What you'll do

Develop and implement the legal strategy for the humanitarian immigration practice, focusing on removal defense and complex asylum matters.

Assume end-to-end responsibility for EOIR proceedings, ensuring timely filings, procedural compliance, and persuasive advocacy before immigration judges.

Design and manage workflows for VAWA, T-Visas, and related humanitarian cases, adapting legal approaches to meet evolving client needs and regulatory standards.

Conduct in-depth client consultations in Spanish, assessing eligibility, explaining legal options, and forming initial attorney-client relationships entirely in Spanish.

Oversee the intake and screening process, identifying qualifying cases and coordinating with administrative staff to ensure smooth transitions into formal representation.

Plan and execute travel to detention facilities when necessary, coordinating logistics with support staff to uphold client access and case preparation.

Represent clients at hearings, trials, and other legal proceedings, presenting factual and legal arguments that align with overarching case objectives.

Monitor statutory deadlines, filing requirements, and procedural rules to prevent dismissals, lapses, or strategic setbacks across all active matters.

Build and refine practice management systems for case tracking, document retention, and docketing, enabling efficient oversight as the caseload expands.

Collaborate with referral partners and community organizations to strengthen the pipeline of qualified humanitarian cases and enhance the firm's reputation.

Draft and review legal pleadings, briefs, and correspondence with precision, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and alignment with client goals and court rules.

Evaluate emerging trends in immigration law and policy, advising the team on adjustments to case strategies and risk mitigation techniques.

Foster a client-centered approach that balances legal rigor with compassion, recognizing the personal and humanitarian stakes in every matter.

Contribute to the long-term vision of the practice by identifying growth opportunities, process improvements, and innovations in service delivery.

Requirements

You must hold an active license to practice law in the state of Texas, with a clear professional standing that allows independent practice in immigration matters.

You must possess professional experience in U.S. Immigration Law, demonstrating substantive knowledge of asylum, removal defense, and humanitarian relief frameworks.

You must have strong experience with EOIR proceedings, including pre-hearing motions, evidentiary hearings, and appeals where legally permissible.

You must demonstrate knowledge and experience with humanitarian immigration matters such as asylum applications, VAWA petitions, and T-Visas under current regulations.

You must be fluent in Spanish, with the ability to conduct all consultations, interviews, and professional communications entirely in Spanish without reliance on interpreters.

You must exhibit strong client-facing and interpersonal communication skills, establishing rapport and conveying complex legal concepts with clarity and respect.

You must show proven ability to manage sensitive and complex immigration cases with professionalism, discretion, and deep empathy toward client circumstances.

You must maintain robust organizational skills, including time management, docket control, and independent caseload management, even under high-pressure conditions.

You must possess an entrepreneurial mindset, embracing ownership of practice development, process creation, and contribution to the firm's early-stage growth.

You must be available to work full-time during standard business hours and travel to detention centers or other venues when case demands require it.

You must comply with all applicable legal, ethical, and professional standards governing the practice of immigration law in the United States and Texas.

You must be prepared to engage in continuous learning, staying current on immigration statutes, regulations, and jurisprudence relevant to humanitarian cases.

You must understand the importance of confidentiality, cultural competence, and trauma-informed practice when working with vulnerable immigrant populations.

You must approach this role with integrity, accountability, and a commitment to advancing access to justice for clients facing humanitarian immigration challenges.

Nice to have

Preferred experience with immigration appellate matters and familiarity with discretionary forms or prosecutorial discretion applications.

Understanding of community-based outreach and partnerships with social service organizations serving immigrant populations.

Experience supporting the growth of emerging legal practices, including intake design, client education, and cross-functional collaboration.

Practical notes

This role requires full-time on-site presence in Houston, Texas.

Standard work hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Travel to detention centers may be required, with travel-related expenses covered by the company.

Candidates must apply through the official portal at www.Rehire.ar/jobs and submit a current resume to be considered.