Staff Attorney Immigration (Hybrid)

We're a dynamic legal non-profit committed to fighting injustice and advocating for social, economic, and racial equity by providing compassionate, holistic, and impactful legal services. Join our team, and together we can work towards a world where equity and justice are not a goal, but a given!

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 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.
• Work with community groups, conduct outreach, and provide community education presentations and materials.
• Direct and supervise the legal work of paralegal and law students, interns, and volunteers.
• Identify wrap around legal services and work collaboratively with CLA SoCal’s various legal units.
• Work with a multi-cultural perspective of inclusion and diversity.
• Follow all organizational and grant compliance policies and procedures
• Perform other duties as required to meet the needs of the organization.

• 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.
• 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.
• Strong personal work ethic, initiative, and ability to organize time, manage diverse activities, and meet critical deadlines with minimal supervision.
• 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).
• Reliable team player.
• Great organizational skills with keen attention to detail.
• Desire to learn as well as share knowledge with other team members.
• 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.
• Proven interest in social justice issues.
• Ability to model CLA SoCal’s values (compassion, collaboration, trust, accountability and excellence) in the performance of job duties – Required.
• Commitment to CLA SoCal’s mission – Required.
• 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.
• Prior legal services advocacy experience – Preferred.
• Bilingual proficiency – Preferred.

Holistic Benefits

CLA SoCal provides employees with training, professional development and growth opportunities, competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and a collaborative team spirit. Our staff members work a 35-hour week with a flexible and hybrid work schedule. Some positions may work beyond a 35-hour week, including evening and weekend meetings and events, when caseload or other obligations necessitate. We offer an outstanding benefits package with rich medical/dental/vision/life insurance, long-term disability, and additional supplemental insurance. Our employees enjoy 16 paid holidays a year, vacation, personal time, and sick leave on their first day. Furthermore, we offer a competitive Law School Loan Reimbursement program, 401k with employer contribution, and a monetary bonus for eligible employees who can prove bilingual proficiency.  

About Community Legal Aid and Our Commitment to Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion 

Community Legal Aid SoCal (CLA SoCal) is a diverse non-profit organization dedicated to meeting the legal needs of low-income residents and seniors throughout Orange and Los Angeles Counties. We focus on removing barriers to equitable access and provide compassionate, high-quality legal aid. CLA SoCal is an Equal Opportunity employer who seeks to fill all positions with people who share our values, including our organizational commitment to diversity. We strongly encourage all interested individuals to apply including people of different abilities, religions, identities, orientations, nationalities, and ethnicities.

Please note research suggests that individuals identifying as Black, Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islander, Indigenous, members of the LGBTQIA community, women, and people living with disabilities may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills to thrive at CLA SoCal to apply for this role.