Job Title: Immigration Paralegal
Location: Carolyn Lee PLLC, 114 S. Geneva St, Ste A, Ithaca, NY 14850 (100% in-person)
Employment Type: Full-Time, Non-Exempt
Hours: 35 work hours per week with daily 1-hour unpaid lunch (Monday-Friday: 9am to 5pm)
Reports To: Lindsay Schoonmaker, Senior Attorney
Pay: $23.00-$26.00 per hour, commensurate with experience, plus standard fringe benefits
About Us
· We are a leading U.S. investment immigration law firm.
· Our core values are: Honesty; Excellence; Innovation; and Connection.
· We offer top-notch immigration legal services to our clients and employ innovative technology.
· A positive firm culture is deeply important to us.
· Our office is located in beautiful downtown Ithaca, just off the historic Ithaca Commons.
Position Overview
We are seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Immigration Paralegal to join our dynamic legal team. The Immigration Paralegal will play a key role in supporting attorneys with matters related to investment-based immigration processes, including EB-5, E-2, and related employment-based visa categories. This position involves preparing, reviewing, and filing immigration petitions/applications and supporting documents, liaising with clients and project stakeholders, and maintaining case management systems to ensure smooth and timely progress of client matters. This position is 100% in-person at our Ithaca, NY office.
This role requires the ability to handle a high volume of cases simultaneously, demanding meticulous organization, strong motivation, and a drive to advance workflows to completion. The successful candidate will also demonstrate a commitment to improving processes, both individually and within the team, to enhance efficiency and client service.
The ideal candidate must possess excellent organizational, communication, and analytical skills, with a strong interest in immigration law and client service. A commitment to delivering outstanding client service and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment are essential for success in this role.
Key Responsibilities (not exhaustive)
· Prepare and file investment-based immigration petitions including EB-5 and E-2 visa applications.
· Assist with source of funds analysis, gathering and organizing financial documents to support client petitions.
· Draft cover letters, forms, and exhibits for submission to USCIS, NVC, and other relevant government agencies.
· Conduct client intake and case assessments, collecting necessary biographical, financial, and investment information.
· Communicate directly with clients, regional centers, developers, and other stakeholders to request information and provide case updates.
· Review offering documents, private placement memoranda, business plans, economic impact reports, and other investment-related materials for immigration compliance.
· Coordinate translations, document legalization, and certifications as needed for submission packages.
· Track case milestones and deadlines, maintaining internal case management systems and ensuring timely filings.
· Assist attorneys in preparing responses to government-issued Requests for Evidence (RFEs), Notices of Intent to Deny (NOIDs), and audit responses.
· Stay current on changes to investment immigration regulations and policies, assisting the team in updating procedures accordingly.
· Prepare client correspondence and instructions regarding next steps, visa interview preparation, and consular processing.
· Support consular processing cases and adjustment of status applications where applicable.
· Maintain meticulous case files, ensuring compliance with confidentiality and legal ethics standards.
· Contribute to internal knowledge management, including checklists, templates, and best practices.
Required Qualifications
· Bachelor’s degree (ideally in a business or finance-related field)
· Excellent written and verbal communication skills
· High attention to detail and strong organizational skills
· Ability to manage multiple active projects, prioritize tasks accordingly, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced work environment
· Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.) and Adobe PDF document management
· Professional discretion and ability to handle confidential client information
· Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with attorneys and other team members
· Comfortability and experience working with technology and learning new software
Preferred Qualifications
· Experience as a paralegal in an immigration law firm
o Prior EB-5 experience is strongly preferred, however demonstrated employment-based immigration paralegal experience is also desirable
· Experience with cloud-based client management databases
· Experience working with high-net-worth or international clients
· Experience analyzing financial and corporate documents
· Foreign language proficiency, both written and verbal (especially Mandarin, Vietnamese, Korean, or Spanish)
Benefits
· All U.S. Federal Holidays are paid time off
· Three weeks of Paid Time Off (Pro-rated)
· 401K
· Health Benefits: Comprehensive health benefits are available to full-time employees. Some benefits are covered at 100% by the firm, while others may require employee contributions. More detailed information can be provided upon request.
Options currently available for selection by employees:
o Medical
o Dental
o Life
o Voluntary Life
o Long-Term Disability
o Hospital
o Critical Illness
o Accident
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $23.00 - $26.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Disability insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
