Criminal Law - Defense Attorney / Asylum Attorney in Los Angeles, CA

Public Interest

Los Angeles, CA

Criminal Law - Defense Attorney / Asylum Attorney in Los Angeles, CA

Attorney

1-3 yrs required

No

Staff Attorney

Job Title

Staff Attorney

Job Responsibilities

Under the direction of the Program Director, the Staff Attorney is responsible for performing client counseling and representation duties. The Staff Attorney meets with and advises clients on immigrant legal rights and issues, conducts legal research and writing, prepares court forms, prepares immigration applications, and performs other legal duties. The Staff Attorney works directly on complex immigration cases, with a current emphasis on relief for survivors (VAWA, U & T Visas), Asylum (Affirmative & Defensive), Adjustment of Status, Family-Based Petitions, DACA, and Removal Defense. The Staff Attorney represents clients before USCIS and the Executive Office for Immigration Review. The Staff Attorney provides technical support and capacity building to other nonprofit organizations on immigration, and staffs evening and weekend workshops. In addition, the Staff Attorney conducts immigration trainings, community outreach, and education to local organizations and other partners. The position is covered under the Collective Bargaining Unit.

Your day-to-day responsibilities:

75% Provide direct application assistance with immigration cases
- Undertake administrative and logistical duties related to direct application assistance
- Conduct legal review of immigration cases
- Provide legal representation for diverse clients with immigration cases before USCIS and Immigration Court
- Maintain an active caseload to meet project deliverables
- Travel to USCIS Field Offices, detention centers, and immigration court to represent clients in immigration matters

15% Provide Technical Assistance and Support
- Organize and implement various immigration trainings to staff and community partners
- Work with intake staff to review and approve appointments, provide immigration legal consultations, answer immigration-related questions and review documents
- Provide technical assistance, legal review, and/or coordination support of workshops and clinics

10% Community Outreach and Education
- Help develop and execute community outreach strategies for the Immigration Services Program, including how to inform appropriate responses to community needs and requests
- Conduct outreach engagements with local community-based organizations and partners to present information sessions on Immigration, Naturalization, and Immigrant Rights
- Other duties as assigned

Education and Experience Information

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- Minimum 1-3 years of immigration experience, including immigration court experience, with experience working with victims of crimes and removal proceedings
- Experience assisting immigrant, limited English speaking and/or low-income clients
- Experience or familiarity with AAPI community preferred
- Excellent legal writing, speaking, and organizational skills
- Ability to communicate effectively with clients
- Bilingual fluency in an AAPI language strongly preferred
- Must be self-motivated with the ability to work independently
- Availability and willingness to regularly travel within the county and state
- Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends
- Access to reliable means of transportation required

Salary Information

Salary Range: $68, - $105, per year

At the organization, we value a diverse, inclusive workforce and we provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual’s race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws. The organization strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or other covered persons, including interns.