Description:

Description:
Summary:
The 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. Our staff is comprised of advocates and activists from the immigrants' rights community who collectively have decades of experience fighting for the rights of immigrants in Southern California and beyond. Our organization was founded with the belief that no immigrant should be forced to go into court alone, and we see our universal representation programs as a first step towards that goal. Learn more about us at www.immdef.org.

There's a preference for placement in our Los Angeles office, but we will consider strong applicants interested in being placed in one of our other offices in Southern California.

Job Description:
ImmDef seeks a Staff Attorney to join our Litigation & Advocacy team, with a primary focus on pursuing federal appeals and impact litigation on behalf of immigrants. The attorney will play a key role in challenging prolonged detention, unlawful arrest, and denial of due process for individuals held in immigration custody. This position is ideal for a passionate litigator committed to protecting immigrant rights and pushing back against the systemic injustices of our immigration system.

Essential Functions:

Maintain a caseload that consists of representing individuals before the Board of Immigration Appeals, federal District Courts, federal Circuit Courts of Appeal, state appellate courts and, where necessary and/or for training purposes, before the Immigration Court on removal defense applications.
Where appropriate, support appellate litigation before the Ninth Circuit and BIA.
Represent detained immigrants in habeas corpus proceedings before federal district courts, with a focus on unlawful or prolonged detention claims.
Draft and file habeas petitions, motions for temporary restraining orders or preliminary injunctions, and other federal court pleadings.
Engage in strategic impact litigation as appropriate to challenge systemic harms facing detained and non-detained immigrants.
Identify and evaluate opportunities for strategic impact litigation to challenge systemic violations that are commonly encountered by ImmDef's clients.
Collaborate with ImmDef's removal defense teams to identify individuals for habeas intervention and develop litigation strategies.
Provide legal advice and support to staff attorneys across ImmDef's programs on federal court practice, including case selection and strategy.
Participate in meetings with attorneys and other staff representing adult clients in removal proceedings.
Provide legal research and writing support to ImmDef's attorneys and legal staff.

Requirements:

Keep abreast of changes in case, statutory, and regulatory law and changes in detention practices.
Track evolving case law, policies, and detention practices related to habeas litigation and immigration detention.
Contribute to written advocacy, declarations, and amicus filings on issues affecting detained and non-detained populations.
Participate in policy and communications initiatives
Participate in non-litigation advocacy and communications opportunities that benefit clients.
Juris Doctorate degree
Active California State Bar License or licensure from another state and, if required, 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 and asylum seekers
Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with colleagues, clients, and diverse stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications:

Federal court litigation and appellate experience
Experience with habeas corpus petitions
Experience advocating for detained immigrants in ICE or ORR custody
Experience with the following types of immigration cases is helpful: asylum/WOR/CAT, special immigrant juvenile status (child custody/family court/guardianship), cancellation of removal, waivers, adjustment of status, immigration consequences of criminal convictions, bond, humanitarian parole, post-conviction relief, habeas petitions, BIA appeals, motions to reopen, naturalization
Knowledge of best practices in working with clients with mental competency issues, including those suffering from mental health challenges and children
DACA Recipients encouraged to apply!

Language Proficiency
Spanish language proficiency is strongly preferred, however those with fluency in other languages may be considered.

Summary:
Starting salary range for this position is$82,000 to $97,000 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.

Attorneys should expect to occasionally work on nights or weekends as needed.

Professional Memberships:
ImmDef provides attorneys with membership in American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and the National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild (NIPNLG), and opportunities to attend conferences, trainings and seminars/webinars hosted internally and by partner organizations.

ImmDef covers California Bar Dues (or equivalent in one other 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.

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.

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

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