Description
Interested in providing free legal services to the community, join the team today!
The Immigration Staff Attorney will work as a member of the Immigration Unit to provide representation to qualified immigrants in a variety of immigration cases. This full-time exempt position reports to the Supervising Attorney.
Responsibilities:
- Maintain a caseload of immigration cases, including but not limited to Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, Asylum, Naturalization, U-Visa, VAWA Self-Petitions, and Adjustment of Status.
- Represent clients both before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and EOIR Immigration Court.
- As needed, supervise paralegals, including onboarding, skills training, and review of filings.
- Dependent on grant, assist with grant reporting and tracking grant deliverables.
- Represent clients, counsel and advise clients in legal matters.
- Maintain detailed and accurate case notes and timekeeping in case management system (LegalServer).
- Interview clients. Effectively and efficiently communicate with clients.
- Engage in case investigation, witness interviews, factual and legal research.
- Research and write pleadings, memoranda, correspondence and other legal documents.
- Work with community groups, conduct outreach, and provide community education presentations and materials.
- Engage in policy advocacy, coordinate, and collaborate in policy campaigns with partner community-based organizations to improve systemic issues.
- Direct and supervise the legal work of paralegal and law students, interns, and volunteers.
- Perform other duties as required to meet the needs of the organization.
Requirements
Education:
- Juris Doctor degree and an active member in good-standing of the California Bar or member to another state bar and ability to register as a legal services provider.
Qualifications:
- Valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle, active insurance policy and ability to travel frequently in and around the service area for representation and to engage with clients and community partners - Required.
- At least 5 years or more experience in Immigration law, including humanitarian-based claims such as asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, U visas, T visas, or VAWA Self-petitions.
- Experience working with vulnerable populations, survivors of abuse, human trafficking, or other trauma.
- Articulate, creative, and passionate advocate with excellent written and oral communication skills, computer skills, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to spot legal issues and comfort with providing real-time counsel & advice.
- Strong interpersonal skill, client communication skills and comfort working with indigent clients.
- Strong technical skills; including proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams).
- Empathetic and energetic attitude while working with others.
- Ability to interact with a wide range of clients utilizing client-centered lawyering and trauma-informed frameworks.
- Ability to model CLA SoCal's values and mission.
- Prior legal services advocacy experience – Preferred.
- Bilingual proficiency – Preferred.
Holistic Benefits:
- May work as little as 35-hour workweek.
- Hybrid Schedule
- 16 paid holidays + PTO (including wellness days) starting Day 1
- Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and long-term disability
- 401(k) with employer contribution
- Student loan reimbursement program
- Bilingual bonus pay for qualified staff
About CLA SoCal:
Community Legal Aid SoCal (CLA SoCal) is a welcoming and hopeful non-profit organization dedicated to meeting the legal needs of low-income residents and seniors throughout Orange and Los Angeles Counties. We provide equal employment opportunities. We strongly encourage all interested individuals to apply, including people of different abilities, religions, identities, orientations, nationalities, and ethnicities. All individuals who are seeking a welcoming environment who celebrate and value the unique characteristics of every member of the team who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive at CLA SoCal to apply for this role.
Skills Required
- Juris Doctor degree
- Active membership in good standing of the California Bar, or membership in another state bar with ability to register as a legal services provider
- Valid driver's license, reliable vehicle, and active insurance policy
- Ability to travel frequently within the service area
- At least 5 years of experience in immigration law, including humanitarian-based claims
- Experience working with vulnerable populations, survivors of abuse, human trafficking, or other trauma
- Strong written and oral communication, computer, problem-solving, interpersonal, and client communication skills
- Ability to provide real-time legal counsel and advice and identify legal issues
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams
- Ability to use client-centered lawyering and trauma-informed frameworks
- Prior legal services advocacy experience
- Bilingual proficiency
What We Do
Community Legal Aid SoCal is a legal non-profit dedicated to providing free civil legal services to low-income families, individuals, and senior citizens in Orange and southeast Los Angeles Counties. Its mission is to promote equal access to the justice system through advocacy, legal counseling, and holistic representation, fighting injustice to advocate for social, economic, and racial equity.
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