Staff Attorney

WHO WE ARE: Founded in 1966, CRLA’s mission is to fight for justice and individual rights alongside the most exploited communities of our society. Through a network of regional offices and cross-cutting programs, CRLA provides legal services to tens of thousands of low-income people annually. Our work impacts farmworkers, indigenous populations, individuals with disabilities, immigrant populations, LGBTQ+ communities, women, children, and low-income families in rural areas.

• Position: Staff Attorney – Immigration Initiative
• Experience: 6+ months 
• Application Deadline: Open until filled
• Location: Remote (with occasional in person appearances as needed)
• Other: FLSA Exempt, Full-Time, Union Position

Reporting to the Immigration Legal Director, the Staff Attorney provides comprehensive immigration legal services in accordance with CRLA program guidelines, the ABA Standards for Providers of Civil Legal Services, and the Code of Professional Responsibility.

Essential Responsibilities/Duties:

• Provides direct immigration representation, advocacy, outreach, and community education.
• Performs intake tasks, interviewing potential clients to evaluate for representation.
• Attends in person immigration interviews, hearings, appointments, and outreach events (as necessary).  
• Applies principles of trauma-informed advocacy to service delivery.
• Works to develop specialized knowledge in immigration law and acts as a resource for other staff.
• Makes appropriate referrals to other service providers and relevant community partners.
• Coordinates advocacy through collaboration with other human services providers, non-profit organizations, and community, client, or other advocacy groups.
• Participates in CRLA training programs, case reviews or staff meetings, or other CRLA activities as required.
• Works with members of the private bar as necessary in accordance with CRLA Private Bar Involvement.
• Maintains contemporaneous time records in the CRLA case management system and maintains client files, noting all deadlines, communication, and other necessary information.
• Maintains a good working relationship with all members of staff.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience:

• Admitted to practice law in the State of CA or willing to take the next CA Bar Exam.
• Demonstrated commitment to working with low-income clients.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Able to meet deadlines and perform multiple tasks while maintaining attention to detail.
• Good people skills and the ability to maintain positive relations with a diverse population.

Preferred Education and Experience:

A highly qualified and desirable candidate would also have the following:

• Experience working with low-income families and communities.
• Experience in a non-profit legal services environment.
• Prior experience in legal services and additional relevant language ability.
• Bilingual in English & Spanish.

This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

We offer a diverse, family-friendly environment and compensation based on competitive public interest salaries; generous benefits package which includes 100% employer-covered medical, dental, vision, life, and short & long-term disability insurance for employees and up to 50% for dependents coverage; and 401K retirement plan with CRLA contribution effective immediately. Some professional dues are paid by CRLA (Bar Fees) and, if qualified, up to $8,000 law school Loan Reimbursement Assistance Program (LRAP). Generous paid leave policy which includes; 15 days of sick leave, 15 holidays each year, and vacation (accrue 15 days for the first year of service and 20 days after one year of service at CRLA). This is a union position (Legal Service Workers for Rural California "LSWRC" ), and the salary ranges from (Staff Attorney: $73,000-$104,000) depending on each year of admission to practice law in any U.S. jurisdiction and any relevant law-related work experience prior to being admitted to practice law.

CRLA requires that all employees are Fully Vaccinated, defined as a CDC-approved COVID vaccination and one booster shot. This offer is contingent on meeting this requirement. The complete vaccination policy, including the process for reasonable allowable accommodations, is available for your review upon request.

California Rural Legal Assistance Inc. thrives on our diversity, and we are proud to be an equal-opportunity employer.  We are committed to building a culturally diverse workplace and strongly encourage women, persons of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, persons with disabilities, and persons from other underrepresented groups to apply.