Immigration Litigation and Advocacy Fellow

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About the Job

The University of Minnesota Law School is seeking applicants who are recent law graduates for an Immigration Litigation and Advocacy Fellowship with the James H.

Binger Center for New Americans. The fellowship will begin in August 2025 and is anticipated to be a two-year commitment based on annual, renewable appointment, with an optional third year.

The Fellow will work primarily with the Federal Immigration Litigation Clinic, collaborating with that clinic's director on clinical casework in federal courts, clinical case supervision, and other related litigation and advocacy projects.

The Fellow will also engage with, and be mentored by, additional Binger Center faculty and staff on projects that advance the Center's mission and promote the Fellow's professional development.

The position will support the development of the Fellow for a career providing noncitizens with high-quality, comprehensive immigration representation, whether in a non-profit, academic, or private practice setting.

The James H. Binger Center for New Americans is a comprehensive immigration law center composed of four interrelated clinics- the Detainee Rights Clinic, the Immigration and Human Rights Clinic, the Federal Immigration Litigation Clinic, and the Rural Immigrant Access Clinic-as well as an education and outreach program.

The Binger Center was created and operates as a collaborative partnership with the pro bono programs of Minnesota's leading law firms and the state's principal non-profit immigration legal services providers : the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, and The Advocates for Human Rights.

The Binger Center is housed within the Legal Clinics at the University of Minnesota Law School. The Law School currently offers twenty-four clinical courses with a broad diversity of subject matters.

Eleven in-house clinical faculty members and over twenty part-time adjunct instructors teach in the program. The Law School is committed to providing national leadership in clinical education and to ensure that students are prepared for the increasing complexities of legal practice in a diverse community.

Appointment : This is a 100% time, renewable, 12-month academic professional appointment. The initial appointment will be for one year.

The appointment may be renewed for up to an additional two years following the successful completion of the first year.

Salary Range $65,000 - $75,000

Duties and Responsibilities : Under the mentorship of Binger Center faculty and staff, the Immigration Litigation and Advocacy Fellow will provide direct legal representation to noncitizen clients and assist in the supervision of law students providing such representation.

The Fellow will primarily work with the Federal Immigration Litigation Clinic. The Fellow will develop and undertake immigration representation projects in conjunction with the clinic director and law student teams that fulfill the Center's mission to advance and protect the rights of noncitizens through litigation in federal and administrative courts.

• Specific duties include researching and drafting pleadings, party and amicus briefs, and legal memoranda for cases at every level of the federal court system;
• producing practice advisories and resources; traveling, as required, for litigation, conferences, and client interactions;

and providing close supervision, guidance, and feedback to teams of students working on those projects. The Immigration Litigation and Advocacy Fellow will also pursue collaborative representation in coordination with the Binger Center's partners, including its non-profit legal services partners.

Over the course of the fellowship, the Fellow will undertake increasing responsibility for teaching and clinic management, including designing and teaching clinical seminar sessions and building and leading clinic projects.

The Fellow will receive additional supervision and support from the Binger Center faculty and staff. They will encourage and support the Fellow in their exploration and discernment of their professional path in clinical education, direct representation, or policy advocacy.

The Law School will support professional and / or scholarly development, including through professional association membership, tuition discount for UMN course enrollment, and conference travel support.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications : J.D. degree from an A.B.A. accredited law school. Applicants must be

licensed to practice law in at least one state (whether Minnesota or another state) and be eligible

for admission in state and federal court in Minnesota, if not already admitted.

Preferences : Strong preference will be given to applicants who are recent law school graduates with a demonstrated commitment to a career providing comprehensive legal representation to noncitizens in federal and administrative courts, and in particular applicants who hope to pursue such a career in Minnesota.

Preferred applicants will have experience in relevant immigration litigation, such as petitions for review in circuit courts and habeas and mandamus actions in federal district court, spanning substantive areas that include, but are not limited to, the intersection of immigration and criminal law ("crimmigration"), immigration detention, post-conviction relief, and due process in removal proceedings.

Such experience gained through prior participation in law school immigration clinics, or gained through employment prior to, during or after law school, will be favored.

Experience supervising and mentoring law students or others is also desired. Fluency in Spanish and / or Somali will be considered favorably.

Applicants should have superior academic records, exceptional writing ability, and proven commitment to public service.

Individuals who have graduated from law school in the past 1 - 3 years, including those completing judicial or other relevant clerkships, are encouraged to apply.

About the Department

The Binger Center is housed within the Legal Clinics at the University of Minnesota Law School. The Law School currently offers twenty-four clinical courses with a broad diversity of subject matters.

Eleven in-house clinical faculty members and over twenty part-time adjunct instructors teach in the program. The Law School is committed to providing national leadership in clinical education and to ensure that students are prepared for the increasing complexities of legal practice in a diverse community.

Benefits

Working at the University

At the University of Minnesota, you'll find a flexible work environment and supportive colleagues who are interested in lifelong learning.

We prioritize work-life balance, allowing you to invest in the future of your career and in your life outside of work.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes :

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefits.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions.

You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail [email protected] or call (612) 624-8647.

For further information, applicants should contact Sarah Brenes, Executive Director of The Binger Center for New Americans at (612)-301-8648.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission.

The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

To learn more about diversity at the U : http : / / diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here.

Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About the U of M

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research.

Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St.

Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).