After completion of 90 day probationary period, firm provides:
- 100% health and dental insurance (including vision),
- Paid SEPTA transportation, and
- 10 days paid vacation, plus 3 sick/personal days.
The Firm will provide the following professional benefits:
- Professional Liability Insurance
- Membership in the American Immigration Lawyers Association
- AILA Philadelphia Monthly Meetings
- Philadelphia AILA Chapter Annual CLE Conference
- For your first year at the firm, so long as Probationary Period is successfully completed, the firm will cover the registration fee for the AILA National Conference Web Attendance (early bird registration required). After the first year, the firm will cover in-person registration fee (early bird), lodging, and transportation.
Required Education:
Juris Doctor
Position Summary
As a Litigation Associate, you will represent clients in immigration court, conduct legal research, prepare filings and briefs, coordinate with clients, and handle court appearances and hearings. You will assist partners and senior attorneys in case strategy, fact-finding, and motions practice. The role involves substantial in-office presence and travel, and demands effective client representation under time-sensitive conditions.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Represent clients in immigration court, asylum interviews, ICE check-ins, master calendar hearings, individual hearings, bond hearings, and related proceedings.
Draft pleadings, motions, briefs, responses, appeals, and other court documents.
Conduct legal research regarding immigration law, regulations, and case law; stay current on relevant legal developments.
Collect and analyze evidence, including affidavits, witness statements, medical records, country condition reports, etc.
Counsel clients, prepare them for hearings/interviews, coordinate translation or interpreters as needed.
Coordinate with partners / supervising attorneys on case strategy, timelines, deadlines.
Travel and lodging as required for early morning court appearances outside of the Philadelphia metro area.
Keep accurate case files, billing and time entries, and client communication logs.
Work Conditions & Requirements
Full-time, in-office role. You must regularly attend the office and be physically present for most court appearances and hearings.
Travel required for hearings, interviews, or court dates outside Philadelphia metro area — including overnight stays when needed.
Flexibility required: Court schedules can change, early morning or late travel may be required.
Use of firm travel policy for reimbursement of travel, lodging, meals when away from home city.
Performance Expectations
Demonstrated ability to reliably represent clients in court / hearings on assigned dates.
Timely submission of documents, drafts, filings.
Good case communication: client updates, coordination with attorneys and support staff.
Adherence to firm policies (attendance, travel, billing, conduct, confidentiality).
Qualifications & Skills
REQUIRED: Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school; licensed to practice law in any State or Commonwealth of the U.S.
Prior litigation or immigration court experience preferred but not required.
Strong legal writing and analytical skills; ability to prepare motions and briefs.
Ability to work under pressure, manage multiple cases and deadlines, travel for court appearances.
Detail-oriented, well-organized, with ability to maintain confidentiality.
Ability to work in a fast-paced legal environment, adjust to changing court schedules.
Language skills a plus (e.g. Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, etc.), but NOT required. The firm encourages and provides opportunities for language development.
Hogan & Vandenberg is an immigration law firm with decades of combined experience representing individuals and organizations in immigration, removal defense, asylum, visa matters, and detention hearings. We serve clients throughout Pennsylvania, Delaware, and beyond. Our attorneys are frequently required to appear in court and before immigration authorities, draft motions, conduct evidentiary and fact-based work, and coordinate with clients in challenging, high-stakes matters.
