Associate-Business Immigration

JOB TITLE: Business Immigration Associate

LOCATION: Lexington

STATUS: Exempt

SUMMARY: As a Business Immigration Associate in Stoll Keenon Ogden’s immigration law practice, you will have the opportunity to assist corporate clients navigate complex immigration issues in an ever-changing legal field. In this role, Associates support other attorneys and Members of the Firm in delivering outstanding legal services to the Firm’s clients. The ideal Associate will have a strong background and interest in employment-based immigration law, including immigrant and nonimmigrant employment immigration matters, regulation, drafting, and counseling skills, and possess strong verbal and written communication skills.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Oversee and mentor case managers in the preparation and filing of the immigrant (PERM, EB1A, B & C, EB-2, EB-3, I-140, and I-485) and nonimmigrant (H-1B, L-1, TN, O-1, E-2, E-3) petitions and applications with government agencies and consulates.
• Provide strategic guidance to corporate clients on complex immigration matters (e.g., PERM labor certification, I-9 and E-Verify compliance).
• Utilize platforms such as AILA, AILALINK, LexisNexis, and WestLaw to retrieve and analyze legal materials relevant to provide clear, concise summaries of legal research findings to clients and internal teams.
• Maintain excellent and punctual communication with clients, attorneys, and government agencies (e.g., USCIS).
• Utilize and maintain proficiency with immigration-specific case management systems (e.g., LawLogix and USCIS Online Account).
• Stay current on immigration news and developments as they relate to the practice.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Ability to demonstrate outstanding legal research, analysis, and written/oral communication skills on a consistent basis.
• Maintain demand for his/her services sufficient to maintain minimum required goals through excellent and responsive work product.
• Demonstrate ability to maintain and enhance existing client relationships, evidenced by requests from Firm Members and Firm clients for his/her services.
• Assist the Firm in helping to generate new client relationships through research, written work product, presentations, and other specific tasks upon request.
• Provide compassionate and culturally competent client service.
• Satisfaction of continuing legal educational requirements.
• Maintain a professional attitude and appearance with clients, other attorneys, administrative agencies, and anyone associated with a specific client matter.
• Maintain good practice hygiene, including entering time on a daily basis and reviewing any prebills or invoices in a timely manner consistent with the Firm’s practices.
• Active participation in immigration law sections of relevant bar associations.
• Attendance at relevant Firm and Practice Group meetings.
• Attendance at law student and associate recruiting events upon request.
• Follow all personnel policies and procedures of the Firm.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• A minimum of three years practicing immigration law.
• Prior experience in employment-based immigration law strongly preferred.
• Understanding of Nonimmigrant categories, including but not limited to H-1B, L-1, O-1, TN, O-1, E-2 and E-3.
• Knowledge of employment-based immigrant processes: PERM labor certification, National Interest Waiver, EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, and consular processing preferred.
• Experience advising on I-9 and related employment eligibility issues preferred.
• Consistently demonstrate personal qualities of honesty, character, leadership, integrity, maturity, and Firm loyalty.
• Proper treatment of attorneys and other team members within the Firm.
• Ability to effectively leverage support team.
• Exceptional organizational skills and ability to multitask.
• Exceptional writing and legal drafting skills.
• Some travel may be required, including the possibility of overnight stays.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively with the team and clients.
• Willingness to own mistakes, accept constructive feedback, and work towards progress.
• Admission to state bar association and in good standing.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

•  This position requires sitting for the majority of the workday. May lift up to 5 – 10 lbs.

 IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR:

• Assigning attorneys and the Immigration Practice Leader.

The statements contained in this job description are not necessarily all-inclusive; additional duties may be assigned, and requirements may vary from time to time.