The Pro Se Staff Attorney works closely with the district judges and chambers staff to resolve immigration litigation and § 1983 and post-conviction habeas litigation filed by pro se prisoners. The position involves performing initial case screening, preparing draft orders, and overseeing procedural compliance. This role is particularly critical given the urgent liberty interests at stake, the complexity of the underlying administrative records, and the frequency of self-represented detainees.
Law school graduate (top quarter or law review required), with at least three years of professional legal experience and one year of federal clerkship experience. Strong preference for attorneys with experience working on immigration litigation and § 1983 and habeas corpus issues. Computer proficiency in Windows applications, word processing ability in Microsoft Word, and experience with computer-assisted legal research are required. Applicants must have the ability to analyze complex legal issues and understand a wide range of legal concepts, principles, and practices as they relate to immigration and post-conviction litigation; perform legal research and write accurately and expeditiously; communicate complex issues clearly with a professional demeanor; set priorities; and manage work with limited supervision. Applicants must be detail-oriented and possess excellent organizational skills.
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES: Taking primary responsibility for a portion of the Court's immigration and pro se prisoner dockets; Providing substantive legal analysis of pleadings and making recommendations directly to the district judges regarding the dispositions of motions; Drafting appropriate orders and opinions for review by district judges; Efficiently managing the flow of the Court's immigration and pro se prisoner litigation; Providing information to district judges and court staff on legal issues unique to immigration and prisoner post-conviction litigation; Evaluating existing procedures and developing and implementing improved processes for the adjudication of the Court's immigration and pro se prisoner litigation; Collaborating with other staff attorneys and chambers law clerks; and Performing other duties as assigned.