Immigration Department Paralegal

About the Colorado State Public Defender:

Colorado’s Office of the State Public Defender (OSPD) maintains a reputation as one of the top organizations in the nation specializing in the delivery of indigent criminal defense. We operate as an independent agency within the Judicial Branch of Colorado State Government with nearly 1,000 dedicated employees assigned to twenty-one Regional Trial Offices, a centralized Appellate Division, and a centralized Administrative Office. The mission of OSPD is to defend and protect the rights, liberties and dignity of those accused of crimes who cannot afford to retain counsel. We do so by providing constitutionally and statutorily mandated representation that is effective, zealous, inspired and compassionate. We seek to hire professionals who are dedicated to furthering our mission and demonstrate compassion in their service to our clients. We are a fast paced, team-oriented environment, where self-motivation and a personal commitment to high performance are important attributes for success.

Benefits of Working for the OSPD:

• Medical Insurance
• Basic Vision Insurance - included with medical plans
• Dental Insurance
• State Paid Life Insurance
• State Paid Short-Term Disability 
• FSA – Healthcare and Dependent Care
• HSA Plan with Employer Contribution 
• Generous Paid Time Off & Sick Leave
• Flexible Schedules
• 11 paid holidays
• Access to Mental Health and Well-Being Resources 
• Colorado PERA
• 401(k) and 457 Supplemental Retirement Plans

For more information on benefits please visit https://dhr.colorado.gov/state-employees/state-of-colorado-employee-benefits. For additional information on PERA visit  www.copera.org.

Additional information about the Office of the Colorado State Public Defender can be found at: http://www.coloradodefenders.us/

Position Purpose and Objectives/Definition of Work:

OSPD has a dedicated Immigration Program which supports defenders working in the Regional Trial Offices. The OSPD Immigration Program advises a non-citizen client’s legal team on the consequences of immigration of criminal cases per the mandate of Padilla v. Kentucky. This work includes assessing non-citizen clients’ current immigration status and available relief from deportation; performing research on the immigration consequences of CO state statutes; performing research on other state statutes included in a client’s criminal history; identifying alternative dispositions that minimize immigration consequences; and strategizing with the legal team to assist the client in reaching their criminal case and immigration goals.  In addition to individual client advisements, the immigration program also provides general assistance, training, and practice advisories related to non-citizen client work. The employee will work under the direction of Immigration Program Director. They will also work closely and frequently with the Immigration Attorney Specialist.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Focus on supporting the representation of non-citizen clients across all regional trial offices. 
• Gathering and tracking data related to non-citizen advisement requests.
• Organizing and compiling resources for non-citizen clients.
• Organizing immigration data and trainings.
• Legal research and drafting of immigration advisements on appropriate cases under attorney direction.
• Prepare letters including mitigation letters, letters of case resolution for immigration court, and travel letters.
• Orders and reviews transcripts.
• Drafting of legal motions and memorandum under attorney direction. 
• Reviews, compiles and organizes data related to specific projects as directed by the Immigration Program Director.
• Proofreads and edits legal documents and memoranda.
• Serve as part of the defense team, and as such, are bound by the Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct including rules regarding the attorney-client privilege and client confidentiality. 
• Performs a variety of administrative tasks as needed to support the Immigration Program which requires the processing of forms, documents and transactions in accordance with State Office policy and procedure.
• Other tasks as directed by the Immigration Program Director.
• Performs all duties to ensure compliance with applicable laws and practices to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature and level as assigned. (non-essential)