Asylum Drafting Attorney at Political Asylum Lawyers in Virginia, VA

Who We Are

Political Asylum Lawyers is a Houston-based immigration law firm focused on asylum cases. We help immigrants all over the United States secure their futures here through asylum, combining exceptional standards with deep respect for the human reality behind every case.

Our work changes lives. The standards we maintain, the discipline behind our work, and the way we show up every day can determine whether someone is able to stay safe and build a stable future in the United States. That is why we operate with integrity, urgency, and excellence, and why we expect every team member to take full ownership of their role.

Everything we do is guided by our core values: integrity, excellence, accountability, teamwork and passion.

Working here means:

• High-stakes responsibility: our work is of great consequence for our clients
• Deeply meaningful outcomes: our work changes lives for the better
• Emotionally demanding moments: resilience and maturity are essential
• High standards and constant growth: excellence and continuous improvement are expected
• Mission-driven teamwork: we’re passionate about helping immigrants secure their future in the United States through asylum, and we know that meeting our high standards requires each of us to take ownership, communicate proactively, and support one another

If you want a career where your skills and hard work create tangible change in the world, this is it.

Learn more about what it’s like to work with us here: http://politicalasylumlawyers.com/careers

The Role

We are seeking a Drafting Attorney to join our specialized team as the architect of clients' written cases. You will focus predominantly on legal research, strategic case development, and document drafting—meticulously crafting asylum applications, declarations, briefs, and evidence compilations that guide decision-makers to grant relief. This role is perfect for talented researchers and writers who thrive on deep dives into legal issues with minimal direct client interaction, while leveraging cutting-edge AI tools and structured workflows.

This is a fully remote position; you can work from anywhere in the world, provided you have a quiet workspace, fast internet, and the discipline to stay on task without close supervision. No travel is required.

You will be the architect of clients' written cases — drafting asylum applications, crafting declarations, compiling evidence, and writing legal briefs that guide decision-makers to the answer “yes.” Direct client engagement is rare; your focus is overwhelmingly on the documents themselves. Applications, motions, briefs, and evidence you prepare are then carried forward into hearings and interviews by our Representation Attorneys.

You'll work with Artificial Intelligence, including large language models and other software programs we use to work more efficiently in building the strongest cases possible for our clients. We follow structured workflows, and adherence to these processes is required. At the same time, this role calls for sound judgment, strategic thinking, and the ability to craft and strengthen legal arguments.

Work hours generally align with a full-time schedule; you should expect to work somewhat more than 40 hours per week, but not much more than that. You will track your time, but there are no billable hour requirements, and we do not promote excessive workweeks typical of many law firms.

What You’ll Do

Responsibilities

Your day-to-day responsibilities will vary based on the firm's needs and the track you're hired into, but will include a combination of the following:

• Draft asylum applications, meticulously preparing comprehensive applications with a focus on substantive responses (paralegals handle the non-substantive portions)
• Craft client and witness declarations, taking paralegal drafts and making them shine
• Compile and organize evidence, ensuring every case is supported by the most helpful evidence available
• Write legal briefs and memoranda, taking ultimate responsibility for bringing every document together into a compelling final form
• Collaborate closely with legal assistants and paralegals, who provide first drafts of certain documents that you refine and finalize
• Leverage technology, including AI tools, to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and strategic depth in document preparation, adhering to structured workflows while exercising professional judgment
• Supervise paralegals and/or other attorneys, as needed

Who You Are

Qualifications

We're looking for professionals who combine technical competence with genuine passion for our mission. The ideal candidate brings:

• Alignment with the firm's core values of integrity, excellence, accountability, teamwork and passion

• Demonstrated commitment to helping immigrants secure their future in the United States through humanitarian relief

• Strong technological proficiency and willingness to use AI tools and structured workflows to enhance legal work

• Exceptional attention to detail with ability to perform at a high level without close supervision

• Proven ability to work under pressure, manage competing deadlines, and maintain quality standards in high-stakes situations

• Ability to thrive in a mission-driven environment that values excellence, integrity, and continuous improvement

• Admission to a U.S. state bar in good standing

• Outstanding legal research and writing skills

• Excellent communication skills, particularly in written form

• Asylum experience preferred but not mandatory

What We Offer

Compensation: $110,000 - $130,000 annually

• Insurance: 100% of premiums covered for top-notch health insurance, plus dental and vision insurance
• Retirement benefits: 401(k) with employer matching
• Generous time off: Four weeks of vacation annually, plus 11 U.S. federal holidays off
• Comprehensive onboarding and training program: we invest in bringing you up to speed on our system and our approach to asylum cases, and are happy to provide funding and time for professional development opportunities
• Bar dues and continuing legal education fees: We cover your professional costs
• Career advancement paths: We often promote from within

How to Apply

To apply, please submit a resume and a cover letter, both of which must be in English.

Your application won’t be considered without a cover letter. Your cover letter should explain why you’re uniquely qualified for this particular position, and why you would be a great fit for our law firm. Generic, copy/paste cover letters will be discarded.

Upload your cover letter and resume, in PDF format, through the software program where you’re viewing this announcement.

Please do not call or email us about this opening.