Author: Becky Walter

The Immigration Department of Hanis Irvine Prothero, PLLC in Kent, Washington seeks to hire a full-time Immigration Paralegal. The paralegal will support the attorneys with the preparation and management of all types of immigration matters, including affirmative applications for immigration benefits and removal defense cases. The position requires substantial direct client interaction and exceptional organizational skills.

Duties Include:
Drafting and editing immigration forms, client declarations and support letters for USCIS, ICE, and Immigration Court applications
Preparing supporting documents and indexing and compiling evidence to be submitted with petitions and applications
Managing and prioritizing high-volume caseload
Conducting case research
Requesting legal and medical records
Calendaring and ensuring all case deadlines are met
Substantial direct client interaction

Requirements :
Fluency in Spanish (written and oral);
Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree Required
Two years prior experience as an immigration legal assistant or immigration paralegal
Excellent writing and computer skills
Strong attention to detail
Exceptional organization and multitasking skills
Good communication and people skills
Ability to meet strict deadlines
Ability to work independently, but function well within a team environment
Strong work ethic

We provide a friendly, professional workplace and offer a competitive salary and benefits package. Please e-mail a cover letter and resume to bwalter@hiplawfirm.com

The Immigration Department of Hanis Irvine Prothero, PLLC in Kent, Washington seeks to hire a full-time bilingual Immigration Legal Assistant. This position will provide administrative support to the attorneys and paralegals managing a high volume caseload of all types of immigration legal applications. This position requires substantial direct client interaction.

Duties include:
Handle department phone calls forwarded from the receptionist
Schedule and confirm all attorney appointments and consultations
Track and enter all mail into department computer systems
Prepare client correspondence
Open, close, and manage all case files
Translation of client documents
Prepare client records and FOIA requests to state and federal courts and agencies
Prepare immigration forms and applications packages

Requirements:
Fluency in Spanish is required (written and oral);
Excellent writing skills;
Computer literacy;
Strong organization and attention to detail;
Ability to multitask and manage heavy case load;
Ability to meet strict deadlines;
Strong work ethic.
Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree Preferred
1-2 years of prior experience as an immigration legal assistant is strongly preferred.

We provide a friendly, professional workplace and offer a competitive salary and benefits package. Please e-mail a cover letter and resume to bwalter@hiplawfirm.com.

In September, 2012, Attorney Brian Hanis argued a matter before the Court of Appeals of the State of Washington, Division 1. The Court supported Mr. Hanis’ clients’ position that issues still remained and reversed a trial court ruling dismissing the case in favor of Farmers Insurance Company. (Dehaan, Carlson v. Farmers Ins. Co.)

The matter involved a motor vehicle accident involving Mr. Hanis’ clients which resulted in an underinsured motorist claim against Farmers. The trial court ruled that funds received from a third party were enough to compensate all “property damages” sustained by the injured party. The ruling failed to account for other potential damages resulting from the accident and failed to properly allocate the funds received. In other words, the ruling unilaterally applied the funds to one specific damage, ignoring the remaining damages.

The Appeals Court sided with Mr. Hanis’ clients and ruled that issues of fact still remain to be addressed. Specifically, all damages as a result of the accident must be accounted for and funds received from third parties must be properly allocated.

Mr. Hanis’ successful argument potentially sets new precedent for proper allocation of funds in future cases in Washington.