Associate Attorney at Law Offices of Cesar Martin Estela
JOB DESCRIPTION
Associate Attorney (Bilingual: Spanish/English)
Location: Newark, New Jersey
Position Type: Full-Time / Hybrid
Experience Level: Mid-Level (2 to 3 years of immigration law practice preferred)
Licensure: Admitted to the New Jersey State Bar (Required)
About the Firm
We are a dedicated immigration practice focused on providing premium, compassionate advocacy for our clients. Our firm bridges the gap between complex federal appellate litigation and direct, hands-on removal defense. We pride ourselves on operational excellence, utilizing an automated workflow infrastructure to streamline administration so our legal team can focus on what matters most: litigation, client strategy, and zealous advocacy.
Position Overview
We are seeking a driven, sharp, and culturally competent Associate Attorney who is fully bilingual in Spanish and English to manage a diverse case load. This is not a back-office, paper-pushing role. The successful candidate will step into immediate courtroom exposure and collaborate closely with senior leadership on high-level legal strategy and USCIS interviews in Philadelphia, New York and New Jersey.
The ideal candidate must possess a strong courtroom presence, exceptional brief-writing skills, and a deeply compassionate communication style tailored to individuals navigating the immigration system.
Core Responsibilities
- Active Litigation & Courtroom Representation: Manage master calendar and individual hearings at Immigration Court, representing clients confidently in removal defense proceedings.
- Case Management: Oversee and execute a comprehensive case load involving Family Petitions, Waivers, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), and removal defense.
- Brief Writing & Legal Research: Draft persuasive motions, advanced litigation briefs, and applications for submission to the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) and federal Circuit Courts.
- Bilingual Client Engagement: Preparation sessions completely in Spanish and English, managing client communication with empathy and professionalism.
- Strategic Collaboration: Partner directly in one-on-one strategic collaboration sessions with the Principal Attorney (Martin) to structure legal arguments and navigate complex personnel or case realignments.
- Operational Oversight: Collaborate with the firm's dedicated paralegal team on documentation, database workflow navigation, and intake procedures utilizing EIAIR
Position Requirements
- Licensure: Must be an active member in good standing with the New Jersey State Bar (candidates waiting on imminent admission may be considered if bar passage is confirmed).
- Experience: 2 to 3 years of direct immigration law practice experience focusing on family petitions, waivers, SIJS, and removal defense.
- Language Fluency:Full professional fluency in both Spanish and English is strictly required. Candidates must be able to confidently prep clients and conduct legal hearings in both languages without an interpreter.
- Technical Skills: Experience with legal practice management software (such as EIAIR) and e-filing/courtroom portals (USCIS/JEDS) is preferred.
Compensation & Benefits
We offer a transparent compensation package.
- Base Salary: $95,000 - $110,000 annually (dependent on exact experience)
- Origination Bonus: An attractive 10% fee-share of the retainer for any new clients successfully retained by the firm
- Attorney Budget (Annual): An annual allocation of $3,500 - $5,000 specifically dedicated to substantive professional conferences, immigration training courses, and AILA-level development
- Retirement: 401(k) retirement plan
- Healthcare: Comprehensive health insurance stipend
- Paid Time Off: Competitive PTO policy for annual vacation and sick days
Why Join Us?
- Direct Executive Mentorship: Work daily, one-on-one, with our Principal Attorney to learn advanced litigation strategies, case-spotting methodologies, and firm business operations.
- Immediate Litigation Exposure: Gain rapid, front-line trial experience managing live individual and master calendar hearings rather than stuck doing drafting isolation.
- Advanced Growth Track: Gain unique exposure to federal Circuit Court appeals and high-level immigration litigation tactics, preparing you for a premier trajectory in the immigration legal field.