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. 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. Learn more about us at www.immdef.org.

ImmDef is seeking multiple Staff Attorneys to join a dedicated Rapid Response team providing urgent, high-impact legal services under the Trump administration. This team will respond to immediate community needs, such as immigration raids and the detention of migrants, by providing critical and time-sensitive legal support. Services will focus on short-term, emergency interventions rather than full-scope removal defense. Attorneys will handle matters such as bond motions, motions to reopen, stays of removal, habeas petitions, credible fear representation, and other urgent filings to protect vulnerable migrants.

This is a fast-paced and high-impact role for attorneys passionate about defending immigrant rights and providing swift advocacy during moments of crisis. Staff attorneys will be joining the largest non-profit, universal representation model deportation defense team in the state of California. Our attorneys work collaboratively within our team of staff including managing and directing attorneys, paralegals, administrative support staff and case managers to provide client-centered, holistic representation.

Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Provide high-quality, client-centered representation for clients facing deportation proceedings.
Rapidly assess and respond to the immediate legal needs of detained migrants or those impacted by raids or other enforcement actions.
File emergency motions, such as bond motions, stays of removal, or motions to reopen, habeas petitions, etc. within short timeframes.
Represent individuals in expedited immigration hearings or interviews (e.g., credible fear or reasonable fear interviews).
Frequently travel to ICE detention centers and other custodial settings to interview clients, assess legal options, and provide urgent legal advice.
Draft declarations, prepare legal filings, and gather supporting evidence.
Provide "Know Your Rights" presentations and consultations during rapid response actions.
Coordinate with community-based organizations, legal service providers, and advocacy groups to respond to enforcement actions.
Participate in rapid response networks and collaborate with other attorneys and organizers to address urgent community needs.
Work collaboratively with colleagues and participate in weekly group case review, on-site trainings and provide supervision for support staff's legal work.
Support ImmDef's overall mission by working closely with colleagues and ImmDef leadership on various initiatives through community engagement, peer mentoring and event participation.
Other duties as assigned by ImmDef leadership.

Requirements:

Juris Doctorate;
Active California State Bar License or licensure from another state and, if required, eligibility and willingness to "waive into" the CA Bar via the Multi-Jurisdictional Practice Program;
Strong case management, legal research, and legal writing skills;
Willingness to zealously pursue new and untested legal theories;
Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work under pressure;
Passion for social justice for immigrants required.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with the following forms of immigration cases is helpful: asylum/WOR/CAT, special immigrant juvenile status (child custody/family court/guardianship), cancellation, waivers, adjustment of status, immigration consequences of criminal convictions, bond, humanitarian parole, post-conviction relief, habeas petitions, BIA appeals, motions to reopen, naturalization.
Experience in immigration law (non-profit or private practice) is a plus, but not required as we are ready and able to provide training;
Experience working with survivors is helpful, including populations that have experienced trauma, abuse and persecution;
Knowledge of best practices in working with clients with mental competency issues, including those suffering from mental health challenges and children, is a plus.

Language Proficiency

Spanish language proficiency is required for this position; fluency in other languages is also helpful.
Attorneys may be offered opportunities for tutoring to improve their Spanish language skills after hiring.

Summary:

Starting salary range for this position is $75,000 to $90,000 DOE.
This position is part of the ImmDef employee union bargaining unit. Salary calculations are based on experience pursuant to the terms of our union collective bargaining agreement.

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.
The Rapid Response team is also expected to be available some evenings and weekends to respond to when there is urgent need to advocate for particularly vulnerable immigrants detained by ICE.

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 in February of each year.

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

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 $100 per month in actual accrued parking or transportation costs.
Staff in all offices are eligible to receive a public transportation stipend of up to $100 per month in actual accrued public transportation costs.

Cell Phone Stipends:
ImmDef provides a $15 monthly cell phone stipend to staff members whose job duties require them to consistently work at sites outside of ImmDef offices, or travel between ImmDef worksites, and whose jobs require use of their personal cell phones or communications that cannot be accomplished with ImmDef-issued equipment.

Relocation Assistance for out-of-state new hires may be available for attorney positions as part of the job offer.

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply for a position fighting for our immigrant communities!