Defensive, Senior Attorney

• Location: Newark or Haddonfield, NJ
• Reports to: Senior Partner
• Department: Defensive
• FLSA Status: Exempt

About Us

Murray Osorio PLLC is a fast-growing immigration law firm with offices in Virginia, Maryland, and New Jersey. We are dedicated to making a positive impact on people’s lives. Our firm represents individuals and companies before courts, government offices, and consular posts worldwide.

We specialize in removal defense, humanitarian applications, family-based immigration, criminal immigration, employment-based immigration, naturalization, and appellate and federal litigation.

At Murray Osorio PLLC, we pride ourselves on collaboration, professionalism, and a deep commitment to our mission of providing exceptional legal services while fostering a supportive, inclusive, and energetic workplace.

Position Overview

Murray Osorio PLLC is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Senior Attorney to join our growing legal team. The Senior Attorney is an experienced immigration attorney who independently manages a complex and substantial caseload, provides sophisticated legal representation and strategic advice to clients, and serves as a senior legal resource to attorneys and legal staff.

The Senior Attorney is expected to demonstrate advanced substantive knowledge of immigration law, strong legal judgment, excellent client service, and the ability to independently manage complex matters from strategy through resolution. Depending on the attorney's area of practice, the Senior Attorney may handle affirmative immigration matters, removal defense, federal litigation and appeals, business immigration, or other immigration matters aligned with the firm's needs and the attorney's experience.

In addition to managing their own caseload, Senior Attorneys are expected to take an active role in mentoring and developing attorneys and legal staff, supporting Partners with complex matters, reviewing legal work, contributing to department strategy, and helping maintain high standards of legal quality and client service throughout the firm.

This is a full-time position. May determine their own in-office schedule beginning on their first day of employment, provided they remain available during regular business hours and manage their schedules responsibly.

As a Valued Member of Our Firm, You Will

Independently manage a substantial and complex caseload while meeting or exceeding case progression, quality, and productivity expectations.

Provide sophisticated legal advice, strategic guidance, and high-quality representation to clients.

Take ownership of complex and high-level matters within the attorney's area of practice.

Collaborate closely with Partners, attorneys, paralegals, and other legal staff to develop and execute effective case strategies.

Serve as a senior legal resource and mentor to junior and mid-level attorneys and legal staff.

Review and provide substantive feedback on legal work, case strategy, and filings as assigned.

Assist Partners with complex, sensitive, or high-priority matters.

Contribute to department-level planning, legal strategy, and process improvement initiatives.

Participate in firm committees, trainings, recruiting, and strategic initiatives.

Help promote consistent legal standards, effective case-management practices, and exceptional client service.

Represent the firm professionally in internal and external settings.

Support the continued growth, development, and reputation of Murray Osorio PLLC.

Key Responsibilities

Legal Representation & Case Management

• Manage an independent caseload involving complex immigration matters within the attorney's assigned practice area.
• Develop and implement sophisticated legal strategies based on the facts, applicable law, procedural posture, and client's objectives.
• Conduct advanced legal research and analysis involving complex statutory, regulatory, administrative, and case law issues.
• Prepare, review, and finalize high-quality legal briefs, applications, petitions, motions, appeals, correspondence, and other legal documents.
• Review complex matters and filings for legal sufficiency, accuracy, consistency, and strategic considerations.
• Ensure compliance with applicable immigration laws, regulations, court requirements, agency procedures, and professional obligations.
• Monitor case progression, deadlines, and deliverables to ensure matters advance efficiently and appropriately.
• Identify legal, procedural, and operational risks and proactively develop solutions.
• Handle escalated, complex, urgent, or sensitive client matters as appropriate.
• Assist Partners with particularly complex cases, litigation, appeals, or other high-level matters.
• Exercise independent judgment regarding case strategy, legal research, filings, and client representation.

Client Advisory & Service

• Provide sophisticated, timely, and strategic legal advice to clients.
• Explain complex legal concepts, risks, options, and case developments in a clear and understandable manner.
• Develop strong attorney-client relationships based on professionalism, trust, responsiveness, and effective communication.
• Manage client expectations and provide appropriate guidance throughout the immigration process.
• Participate in consultations, case evaluations, strategic planning meetings, and other client-facing activities.
• Address escalated client concerns and work collaboratively with Partners and department leadership when appropriate.
• Maintain high standards of client service and professionalism in all interactions.

Legal Leadership, Supervision & Mentorship

• Serve as a senior substantive resource to junior and mid-level attorneys and legal staff.
• Mentor attorneys in legal research, writing, case strategy, litigation skills, case management, and client communication.
• Review legal work and provide timely, constructive, and actionable feedback.
• Assist with attorney onboarding, training, continuing legal education, and professional development.
• Support the development of attorneys through regular coaching, case discussions, and knowledge sharing.
• Promote consistent legal standards, best practices, and case-management procedures.
• Assist Partners and department leadership in identifying training needs and opportunities for professional development.
• Model professionalism, accountability, collaboration, sound judgment, and exceptional client service.

Quality Control & Legal Strategy

• Support the department in maintaining high standards for legal work product and case management.
• Review selected filings, briefs, applications, motions, and other legal work for quality and strategic consistency.
• Assist in identifying recurring legal or case-management issues and developing solutions.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of legal templates, practice resources, checklists, and internal guidance materials.
• Share substantive legal developments and effective strategies with attorneys and legal staff.
• Assist Partners in establishing and implementing department-level legal strategies and priorities.
• Help identify opportunities to improve the quality, efficiency, and consistency of legal services.

Collaboration & Firm Contribution

• Work closely with Partners and department leadership on complex and strategic matters.
• Collaborate across practice areas when matters require specialized knowledge or support.
• Participate in firm committees, working groups, and strategic initiatives.
• Contribute to the development and improvement of firm policies, procedures, templates, and legal resources.
• Participate in recruiting, interviewing, onboarding, and professional development activities as requested.
• Support initiatives designed to improve operational efficiency, legal quality, and client service.
• Participate in firm events, trainings, conferences, community programs, and other professional engagements.
• Represent Murray Osorio PLLC professionally in external settings and maintain positive relationships with clients, colleagues, referral sources, and professional organizations.

Business Development & Professional Engagement

• Participate in appropriate business development and client relationship initiatives.
• Assist with presentations, webinars, trainings, seminars, and educational programs.
• Represent the firm at conferences, community events, bar association activities, and professional meetings.
• Support efforts to strengthen the firm's professional reputation and relationships within the immigration legal community.
• Contribute to firm publications, articles, presentations, or other thought-leadership initiatives when appropriate.
• Assist in identifying opportunities to expand the firm's legal services and professional network.

Legal Research & Professional Development

• Stay current on developments in immigration law, federal litigation, agency policies, regulations, and relevant case law.
• Conduct advanced legal research to support case strategy and legal arguments.
• Maintain and expand substantive knowledge within the attorney's area of practice.
• Participate in relevant CLE programs, conferences, trainings, and professional organizations.
• Share significant legal developments, practice updates, and resources with colleagues.
• Contribute to internal legal education and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
• Active bar membership in good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Significant experience practicing immigration law.
• Demonstrated experience independently managing a substantial and complex immigration caseload.
• Demonstrated ability to handle sophisticated legal matters with limited supervision.
• Strong legal research, writing, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound and independent legal judgment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and competing demands.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Strong interpersonal, leadership, and mentoring skills.
• Ability to provide and receive constructive feedback professionally.
• Proficiency with legal research platforms and case-management technology.
• Commitment to exceptional client service and high professional standards.
• Demonstrated commitment to ethical legal practice and professional responsibility.

Preferred Qualifications

• Significant experience handling complex immigration matters within one or more of the firm's practice areas, including affirmative immigration, removal defense, federal litigation, appellate matters, or business immigration.
• Experience supervising or mentoring attorneys, paralegals, or other legal staff.
• Experience handling complex, high-profile, or high-stakes matters.
• Experience with federal litigation, appellate practice, or administrative litigation.
• Experience developing legal strategies and providing substantive guidance to other attorneys.
• Experience presenting at conferences, trainings, CLEs, webinars, or professional events.
• Fluency in Spanish and/or other languages.
• Active involvement in professional legal organizations, including the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).
• Experience participating in firm committees, leadership initiatives, or practice-area development.
• Experience contributing to legal publications, presentations, or other thought-leadership activities.

Benefits

At Murray Osorio PLLC, we value our employees and offer a competitive benefits package, including:

Hybrid role with a collaborative, mission-driven culture.

Commitment to professional growth and continuous learning.

Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance.

401(k) with company match.

Paid time off and holidays.

Paid Parental Leave, available after one year of service.

Continuing Legal Education (CLE) and Bar Membership reimbursements to support professional growth.

Parking reimbursement, subject to eligibility and applicable firm policy.

On-site and nearby parking options for employee convenience.

Opportunities for continued professional growth and advancement within the firm.

Why Join Us?

Murray Osorio PLLC offers Senior Attorneys the opportunity to handle sophisticated immigration matters, take on meaningful leadership responsibilities, mentor developing attorneys, collaborate closely with Partners, and contribute to the continued growth and development of the firm.

If you are an experienced immigration attorney seeking to expand your legal, leadership, and strategic responsibilities within a collaborative and growing firm, we would love to have you join our team.