Sr. Staff Immigration Attorney

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Senior Immigration Attorney focuses on Affirmative Immigration Services and holds a senior legal role within Catholic Charities East Bay's Immigration Legal Services Department. This position helps lead the division's ability to respond quickly to emerging legal needs, including developing the division’s institutional response alongside the Managing Attorney and Program Manager. This role also coordinates with partners; provides training, guidance, and supervision to other attorneys, immigration counselors, DOJ Accredited Representatives, and paralegals and other staff as required on newer or evolving areas of affirmative immigration work. The Senior Immigration Attorney actively supports the strategic growth and long-term vision of the immigration legal services program. 

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Direct Legal Representation

• Represent individual clients in a range of affirmative immigration matters, including affirmative asylum, adjustment of status, naturalization, waivers, Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID), appeals, and other petitions before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This position does not require removal defense representation.
• Conduct legal consultations and case assessments to determine eligibility for immigration benefits and forms of relief.
• Work collaboratively as part of the Immigration Legal Services team and communicate regularly with other staff across all three offices.

Legal Leadership and Program Support

• Provide legal consultation, mentorship, and guidance to assigned Immigration Counselors and legal staff.
• Under the direction of the Managing Attorney, facilitate case review meetings and legal strategy discussions.
• Assist staff in identifying immigration remedies and developing effective case strategies.
• Monitor developments in immigration law, policy, and procedure and communicate relevant updates to staff.
• Develop and maintain legal resources, templates, and best practices for program staff.
• Actively support the strategic direction and long-term vision of the immigration legal services division as set by the Managing Attorney and Program Manager.
• Identify gaps in legal coverage and bring strategic recommendations to division leadership. 
• Support grant implementation, reporting requirements, accreditation activities, and quality improvement initiatives.

• Maintain accurate and timely case documentation and data entry.
• Assist leadership in achieving program goals, contract deliverables, and organizational objectives.

Training and Staff Development

• Assist with recruiting, training and overseeing pro bono attorneys and other legal volunteers 

• Support in the training of ILS attorneys, DOJ Accredited Representatives, and paralegals as needed on emerging areas of affirmative immigration law. 

• Provide technical assistance to ILS staff through regular monthly meetings. 

• Work with staff from other nonprofits and coalitions that CCEB collaborates with, including other immigration legal services providers and community organizations. 

Community Engagement

• Conduct community education presentations and immigration workshops.
• Represent CCEB at community meetings, coalitions, and professional networks.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with community partners and referral agencies.
• Communicate with community partners as requested and support in outreach events.  

SUCCESS METRICS

• Maintain a high level of client service and positive immigration case outcomes.
• Achieve program performance goals and grant deliverables.
• Provide effective legal supervision, mentorship, and support to assigned staff.
• Ensure compliance with legal, ethical, and organizational standards.
• Maintain productive caseload and consultation benchmarks.
• Support staff development, retention, and continuous learning.
• Contribute to accreditation, quality assurance, and continuous improvement efforts.

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in good standing with the California State Bar.
• Minimum three (3) years of immigration legal practice experience in affirmative immigration matters.
• Five (5) or more years of immigration legal practice experience preferred.
• Prior supervisory, mentoring, or leadership experience preferred.
• Significant experience representing clients before USCIS and other administrative agencies.
• Advanced knowledge of family-based immigration, naturalization, adjustment of status, consular processing, waivers, DACA, VAWA, U Visas, T Visas, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), affirmative asylum, and related immigration benefits.
• Bilingual English and Spanish proficiency highly desirable.
• Experience working with culturally diverse and underserved populations.
• Must be able to work in Richmond office location full time with travel to other locations/CCEB offices as needed.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Strong legal analysis, judgment, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to mentor and develop staff while maintaining accountability.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and case management abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to cultural humility, equity, and client-centered services.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues, community partners, and stakeholders.

Key Competencies

• Advanced immigration legal expertise
• Legal mentorship and staff development
• Strategic case analysis
• Quality assurance and legal compliance
• Community partnership building
• Conflict resolution and problem-solving
• Mission alignment and ethical practice