Description:

Position Summary:
The Staff Attorney will provide client consultations with greater attention to complicated cases, representation of clients, research, and analysis. The Immigration Staff Attorney will be part of the Education and Leadership Foundation Immigration department, which specializes in directly representing immigrants and refugees in deportation proceedings. The Staff Attorney will work collaboratively with our staff, including the Managing Director, Program Manager, Staff attorneys, administrative support staff, and case workers, to provide client-centered, holistic services.

The Staff Attorney represents clients before the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS only) in the following areas of immigration: Adjustment of Status; Consular Process; Extension of Non-Immigrant Status; DACA Renewal Applications; Naturalization; Acquisition and Derivation of Citizenship; Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) Renewals; Advance Parole; Parole-in-Place; U-VISA; VAWA; Inadmissibility Waivers; Affirmative Cases, TPS, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, K-1 Visas, T-Visas, CAT, and other similar benefits.

Performance Area 1: Key Responsibilities & Duties:

Litigate affirmative and defensive cases before USCIS, EOIR, the BIA, and the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Responsible for individual caseload, providing affirmative and defensive immigration services, with a primary focus on asylum, family petitions, DACAs, naturalizations, and representation of clients in front of USCIS.
After determining that a client is entitled to any given immigration benefit, prepares applications or petitions with supporting evidence and represents clients before USCIS and EOIR.
Support other attorneys, accredited representatives, legal assistants, and volunteers on substantive legal matters as needed and participate in developing case selection criteria.
Other responsibilities include but are not limited to conducting consults on potential clients and assessing whether they qualify for relief, researching legal issues related to their claims, preparing all necessary filings, and representing them throughout their removal proceedings.
Uses cultural sensitivity and awareness to develop appropriate and effective strategies to address the needs and advance the rights of vulnerable communities.
Prepare and submit country conditions, declarations, and other supporting evidence for applications to defend clients against removal orders;
Work collaboratively with colleagues and participate in weekly group case reviews, and on-site trainings, and provide supervision for support staff's legal work;

Performance Area 2: Organizational Development Responsibilities & Duties:

Track and assess annual case files and outcomes in an electronic case management system.
Network to obtain external organizational support, build collaborations that support legal program activities, and/or refer clients to partners on issues outside our expertise.
Assist with meeting grant deliverables that fund the immigration legal program.
Complete narrative reports as needed for grantors and funders, including program outcomes, Work Plans, goals/objectives, etc.
Participate in staff meetings, case reviews, and other community meetings as needed.

Performance Area 3: Community Education and Advocacy Responsibilities & Duties:

Support, as needed, with legal workshops, clinics, and training.
Assist and participate in at least two monthly clinics.
Conduct presentations on various immigration-related topics as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Immigration Services or Executive Director.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

Have a U.S. law degree (J.D.) and active bar membership. CA bar membership is preferred and will be given preference. Individuals with experience in immigration law, specifically, will also be given preference.
Experience in immigration law, minimum 1-year court experience.
Committed to the immigrant community's needs and passionate about immigrant and human rights.
Valid driver's License, car insurance, and daily access to a car.
Good standing with the state bar (CA State Bar preferred).
bilingual and bi-literate in Spanish and English
MS Office suite proficiency (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher).
Experience communicating and working in a Google & Mac environment
Community organizing or community lawyering experience is a plus.

Additional Duties:

Confidentiality/Privacy compliance - Treats all client, member, and employee information as sensitive and confidential. Responsible for maintaining compliance with all HIPAA regulations and requirements where applicable.
Compliance - Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations.
Quality Improvement—Participate in quality improvement activities and contribute to improving the department's and organization's overall performance.
Safety - All employees will participate in the ELF safety program.

Travel: The position may require you to work weekends/evenings and travel as needed.

Work Schedule: The position may include evening and/or weekend activities as required by the department and organization.

Environmental Conditions: Work generally occurs within an office environment. Air quality is good, with adequate lighting at desks/workstations. Noise conditions are moderate and limited to self and others on telephone calls and general interactions with coworkers and the public.

Physical Requirements:

Must be able to lift up to 20 pounds and push up to 50 pounds (on wheels).
Must hear staff on the phone and those served in person and speak clearly to communicate information to patients and staff.
Must be able to read memos, computer screens, personnel forms, and clinical and administrative documents.
Must have high manual dexterity.
Must be able to reach above the shoulder level to work, must be able to bend, squat and sit, stand, stoop, crouch, reach, kneel, twist/turn.