Description:

Job Summary:
The Staff Attorney Position Is a Full-Time, Fixed Duration Position, Funded by The California Department of Social Services, Removal Defense (cdss Rd) Grant. the Staff Attorney Will Provide Direct Legal Representation to Clients in A Range of Matters, Including Removal Proceedings, Detention, Bond Proceedings, Habeas Petitions, Appeals, and Affirmative Applications for Immigration Relief. the Staff Attorney Will Work Closely with The Senior Supervising Attorney, Staff Attorneys, and Paralegal of The Immigrants' Rights Project (irp), Anti-Detention Team.

The Staff Attorney Must Support Public Counsel's Values of Equity, Inclusion, and Client- and Community-Centered Advocacy. a Hard-Working, Collaborative, and Effective Leader, the Attorney Will Expand the Capacity of Irp to Respond to Increased Community Need for Legal Representation in Removal Proceedings, Immigrant Detention, and Applications for Immigration Relief.

Reporting to The Senior Supervising Attorney, the Staff Attorney Will:

Provide Zealous, Client-Centered, and Trauma-Informed Direct Representation to Immigrants in Removal Proceedings
Represent Clients Who Have Been Placed in Expedited Removal Proceedings, Were Paroled Into the U.S., or Are Party to An Appeal Before the Board of Immigration Appeals (bia) and 9th Circuit Court of Appeals
Represent Immigrants in Detention, Including Bond Proceedings, Habeas Petitions, and Parole Requests
Provide Representation in Asylum or Withholding only Proceedings
File Motions to Reopen/reconsider with The Immigration Court
File Affirmative Applications for Immigration Relief
Work Collaboratively with Team Members to Provide Client-Centered, Holistic, Trauma-Informed, and Interdisciplinary Services for Clients
Collect Case Data and Contribute to Grant Reports
Perform Administrative Tasks in Support of This Work, Including Opening and Closing Matters, Printing and Scanning Documents, Etc
Maintain a Caseload of 25-35 Active Matters (one Client Can Have Multiple Matters)
Perform Other Duties as Assigned

Requirements:
Essential Job Skills and Abilities

Juris Doctor Degree with Bar Membership in Any State in The U.S.
Ca Bar Membership Preferred, but Not Required
Fluency in Spanish Strongly Preferred
Experience in Removal Defense and Representation of Clients in Bond and Habeas Petitions Preferred;
Strong Legal Research and Writing Skills
Ability to Prioritize and Manage a Large Caseload Independently
Provides Attention to Detail
Comfort and Experience Working with Clients from Diverse Racial and Socioeconomic Backgrounds, Including Those with Complex Trauma and Those Who Have Been Criminalized
Understanding of Systemic Injustices, Their Impacts on The Immigrant Community and Interest in Advocating for Justice Using an Abolitionist and Liberation-Oriented Framework
Willingness and Ability to Travel To/from the Asylum Office, Detention Centers, Superior and Federal Courts, and Immigration Courts in The Southern California Region
Ability to Think Strategically and Creatively, and Problem-Solve Effectively
Ability to Effectively and Respectfully Communicate with Other Team Members
Desire to Learn and Grow as An Advocate, and Openness to Feedback
Commitment to Immigrants' Rights and The Mission of Public Counsel
A Commitment to Economic and Racial Justice, Including Participating in And Advancing the Equity and Inclusion Work at Public Counsel