Staff Attorney II

Responsibilities:

Esperanza seeks a full-time Senior Attorney (Staff Attorney II)  to provide legal services to Esperanza’s community education programs for unaccompanied minors.  Some of the services provided by the programs include group legal orientations, individual orientations, pro se assistance and clinics. The position is supervised by a Managing Attorney or the Director of Youth Immigration Services. The position may also include providing legal representation to unaccompanied minors in removal proceedings and related state court proceedings.

 The Senior Attorney for Released Youth and Representation will engage in both substantive and operational tasks, which include:

• Serving as a source of substantive knowledge on all legal aspects related to unaccompanied minors’ immigration cases for staff, including attorneys, DOJ Accredited Representatives, paralegals, and legal assistants
• Coordinating the training, staffing, and oversight of legal orientation presentations for unaccompanied minors in office and at Los Angeles-area immigration courts
• Overseeing the operation of the Unaccompanied Minor Self-Help Centers
• Supervising legal aspects of the Esperanza Call Center 
• Supervising legal screenings for unaccompanied minors
• Developing and updating legal educational materials
• Expanding access to counsel for unaccompanied minors through pro bono placement and the Universal Referral Syste
• Training, mentoring, and supervising legal interns, fellows, and volunteer
• Maintaining and developing relationships with stakeholders that work with unaccompanied minor
• Provide advocacy and/or representation to Esperanza clients in front of the Executive Office for Immigration Review, the Board of Immigration Appeals, Citizenship and Immigration Services, and various California state courts.
  The Senior Attorney will be supervised by the Director of Youth Immigration Services and/or a Managing Attorney.

 Qualifications:

• Juris Doctorate
• California State Bar License, or license from another jurisdiction and commitment to sitting for next available CA Bar Exam
• Minimum 2 years of experience in the practice of immigration law required
• Strong organizational skills, case management, legal research, and legal writing skills required
• Experience working with vulnerable client populations, particularly with children, and families
• Public speaking experience, highly desirable
• Spanish-language proficiency required (and will be tested at time of interview)
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work under pressure required
• Willingness to work independently and also to be a team-player

Catholic Charities offers a wide range of employee benefits to support the total wellness of its employees. Our competitive package provides the flexibility to select the benefits that best meets the employee’s needs. Benefits are effective the first of the month following 30 days of employment.

• Medical, Dental & Vision
• Life Insurance
• Retirement Plan to include 401a/employer contribution only and 403(b)
• Supplemental Insurance (life, Accident, disability insurance, etc.)
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Care Spending Account Reimbursement accounts (HAS)
• Vacation days – 12 days per year
• Sick time – 10 days per year
• 13 holidays per year for regular f/t & p/t employees
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Cell Phones for those working in Shelters or with Clients outside of the office 
• Employee Recognition - Annual Staff Appreciation Day Event
• Free Parking