Description:
Description:Immigrant Defenders Law Center (“ImmDef”) is a next-generation, social justice law firm that provides high-quality representation and legal services to immigrants in Southern California and beyond. ImmDef was founded with the belief that no immigrant should be forced to face an unjust immigration system alone and our universal representation programs are a first step towards that goal. Learn more about us at www.immdef.org.
ImmDef represents thousands of adults, children and families annually who have multi-faceted, complex and urgent legal needs as they face our unjust immigration system. ImmDef seeks a committed, experienced, and mission-driven attorney-leader to join our legal services team as a Managing Attorney and oversee our teams of fearless advocates providing creative and zealous representation to our clients. Join the largest non-profit, universal representation model deportation defense team in the state of California, and help develop and advance our mission-driven organization!
ImmDef's Managing Attorneys play essential leadership roles in ensuring high-quality, client-centered representation for children and adults in removal defense and related immigration matters. This is a rewarding and exciting position where the successful applicant will be engaged in cutting edge immigration litigation for individual clients with an overarching organizational goal of fighting for a more just immigration system. This position will be based in Los Angeles with a focus primarily on the representation of unaccompanied children and other immigrant youth, but will also support ImmDef's other removal defense programs in support of detained and released adults and families.
Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Work collaboratively with ImmDef Directors, Directing Attorneys, Managing Attorneys, and program managers across all ImmDef programs to advance the mission.
- Mentor, supervise, and support attorneys representing detained and recently released children and adults in removal proceedings and in applications for immigration benefits.
- Monitor attorney capacity and caseload distribution, including holding regular one-on-one meetings and leading case review sessions.
- Work collaboratively with staff to develop case strategies and litigation tactics.
- Provide guidance to ensure high-quality, trauma-informed, client-centered legal representation.
- Keep abreast of developments in case law, statutory or regulatory changes, and shifts in detention practices.
- Coordinate and support attorney and legal staff professional development, including ongoing legal trainings, and ensure ImmDef's training materials reflect current law and policy.
- Foster and support a mission-driven, team-centered office culture and build systems that support strong internal communication and client engagement.
- Ensure compliance with ImmDef's record-keeping, grant requirements, ethical obligations, and case management standards.
- Work to develop and implement policies, templates, and procedures that improve effectiveness, efficiency, and uniformity in representation.
- Participate in coalitions and manage stakeholder relationships in support of immigrants' rights.
- Maintain a reduced caseload of complex deportation defense matters to model litigation strategy and promote skill development.
- Support recruitment efforts for legal and program staff within assigned program areas.
- Perform other duties as assigned by ImmDef leadership.
Requirements:
- Juris Doctorate degree, or foreign law degree and L.L.M;
- Active California State Bar License or licensure from another U.S. jurisdiction and, if required, willingness to "waive into" the CA Bar via the Multi-Jurisdictional Practice Program;
- Minimum 4 years of legal practice, including 3 years of immigration removal defense experience;
- Passion for social justice for immigrants required.
Preferred Experience:
- Experience representing children and families in guardianship, parentage, child custody, or dependency proceedings in California for SIJS purposes;
- Experience representing children, families, and adults in applications for asylum/WOR/CAT, special immigrant juvenile status, cancellation, waivers, adjustment of status, immigration consequences of criminal convictions, bond, humanitarian parole, post-conviction relief, habeas petitions, BIA appeals, motions to reopen, and/or naturalization before USCIS or EOIR.
- Experience representing immigrants detained in ICE, CBP and/or ORR custody, including federal habeas experience;
- Experience representing immigrants with juvenile delinquency or criminal history;
- Familiarity with evolving immigration and border policies;
- Knowledge of best practices in working with clients with mental competency issues, including those suffering from mental health challenges and children;
- Strong case management, legal research, and legal writing skills;
- Willingness to zealously pursue new and untested legal theories;
- Strong strategic thinking, organizational leadership, and problem-solving skills;
- Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work under pressure;
- Experience managing, teaching and mentoring staff;
- Ability to work collaboratively and to handle multiple demands in a sometimes hectic and busy environment;
- DACA Recipients encouraged to apply!
Language Proficiency
Spanish language proficiency is strongly preferred, however those with fluency in other languages may be considered.
Cover letters are strongly encouraged. You can learn more about our programs at www.immdef.org. This position is based in Downtown Los Angeles.
Due to the large number of applicants, we are unable to respond to every applicant and will only contact those who are invited to interview for the position.
Summary:
Compensation:
- Title and compensation will be commensurate with experience.
- Managing Attorney salary $91,000 +
Schedule:
- ImmDef's business hours are Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., but our office reception hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. As an exempt employee you will be expected to work a minimum of 35 hours per week, or 70 hours per pay period. You will be required to work from an ImmDef worksite during business hours at least 3-days per week, and 2-days per week you will have the flexibility work from home or take a day off in accordance with ImmDef's Flexible Work Schedule policies, subject to supervisor approval.
- As a member of ImmDef's management team, you are expected to schedule your hours and on-site attendance to maximize your availability to your team, serving as a role model for effective work habits and professional conduct.
Professional Memberships:
- ImmDef provides attorneys with membership in the National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild (NIPNLG), as well as $150 towards the professional association of their choice, and opportunities to attend conferences, trainings and seminars/webinars hosted internally and by partner organizations.
- ImmDef covers California Bar Dues (or equivalent in another jurisdiction) for all attorneys.
Holidays and Paid Time Off:
- 13 paid holidays
- 1-Week paid winter break between Christmas and New Years
- 15 vacation days per year
- 15 Sick Days per year
Health, Dental and Vision Insurance:
- ImmDef provides health coverage on the first of the month following 30 days on the job.
- We cover 100% of premiums for our base dental and vision plans for our staff members and 75% of base plan dental and vision premiums for their dependents. ImmDef also covers 89% of the base plan medical premiums for our staff and 69% of the base plan medical premiums for their dependents.
FSA and Dependent Care FSA:
- ImmDef offers FSA plans to help offset the costs of eligible health care expenses for you, your spouse, and your eligible dependents using pre-tax dollars.
- We also offer Dependent Care FSA to pay for eligible dependent care services, such as preschool, summer day camp, before or after school programs, and child or adult daycare.
- Eligible for Parental Leave which includes six (6) weeks of ImmDef paid leave.
401(k) Retirement Savings Plan & Employer Matching:
- ImmDef staff are eligible to enroll in our 401(k) plans immediately upon hire, contributing pre-tax dollars towards their retirement goals
- After six months on staff, ImmDef will match 100% of contributions up to 3% of the employee's salary
- Funds are vested immediately!
Public Service Loan Forgiveness:
As a 501(c)3, full-time ImmDef staff with qualifying student loans are eligible for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness
Parking and Public Transportation Stipends:
- Staff members assigned to an office without free on-site parking are eligible to receive a parking stipend of up to $105 per month in actual accrued parking or transportation costs, paid through a pre-tax commuter benefit account.
- Staff i
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