Description:

A Next-Generation, 501(c)3 Social Justice Law Firm represents thousands of adults, children and families annually who have multi-faceted, complex and urgent legal needs as they face our unjust immigration system. A Next-Generation, 501(c)3 Social Justice Law Firm is currently seeking full-time staff attorneys to join our team of fearless advocates providing creative and zealous representation to our clients. 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. 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.

Post-Conviction Relief (PCR) & Deported Veterans Programs
In 2016, A Next-Generation, 501(c)3 Social Justice Law Firm launched a unique project focusing on obtaining post-conviction relief for indigent immigrants in order to eliminate the adverse immigration consequences of criminal convictions and sentences. Post-conviction relief work entails case analysis, advocacy, and litigation before the California state criminal courts on overlapping issues involving constitutional, criminal, and immigration laws. ImmDef's post-conviction relief program also pursues opportunities to refine, clarify, and extend the law through advocacy with government entities and on appeal. For example, A Next-Generation, 501(c)3 Social Justice Law Firm attorneys successfully litigated our client's case before the California Court of Appeal in People v. Manzanilla, where the court issued published decision clarifying and affirming principles that impact noncitizens seeking to vacate convictions under California Penal Code section 1473.7.

In 2020, ImmDef expanded the program to represent Veterans in post-conviction relief and immigration proceedings who were deported from the United States after their service. ImmDef's Deported Veteran Project has helped repatriate more than 30 deported veterans, many of whom again have lawful status, including citizenship. The project is one of the only programs in the country representing deported veterans in immigration and post-conviction relief.

ImmDef seeks a full-time Staff Attorney, based in our Los Angeles office, to primarily work on preparing and litigating post-conviction relief for individuals facing deportation proceedings, as well as the representation of deported veterans. The staff attorney may also represent individuals in their removal proceedings in immigration court. ImmDef attorneys also engage with advocacy in support of federal legislation to prevent future deportations of veterans and maintain a path home for those who have been deported. The Staff Attorney will work under the direct supervision of our Managing Attorney experienced in post-conviction relief and in collaboration with managing and staff attorneys throughout ImmDef.

Essential Functions:

Provide high-quality, client-centered representation;
Prepare and litigate post-conviction relief motions in California criminal courts;
Represent deported veterans in post-conviction relief and immigration matters;
Determine eligibility for legal relief and develop legal strategy case plans;
Represent individuals in court at initial or prolonged custody redetermination hearings, master calendar hearings, individual merits hearings and in ancillary state court proceedings;
Travel to shelters for unaccompanied children, ICE detention centers and other custodial settings to interview and prepare clients, take declarations, complete immigration benefit applications and provide legal advice;
Represent clients before USCIS at asylum interviews, credible fear interviews, ICE check-ins and other immigration related appointments;
Prepare and submit declarations and other supporting evidence for applications to defend clients against removal and in post-conviction motions;
Work with country conditions experts, expert witnesses, psychologists and medical professionals to develop supporting evidence for immigration relief applications and post-conviction motions;
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.

Requirements:

Juris Doctorate;
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;
Commitment to working in a diverse professional environment.
Passion for social justice for immigrants required.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience in criminal defense or post-conviction relief;
Experience with the following forms 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;
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;
Commitment to working in a diverse professional environment;
DACA Recipients are encouraged to apply!

Language Proficiency:

Spanish language proficiency is strongly preferred and may be required for certain attorney positions; fluency in other languages is also helpful.
All Attorneys hired by ImmDef must be committed to learning Spanish and achieving working fluency within their first year of employment. ImmDef has limited funds available to assist with Spanish language learning resources and interpretation for attorneys needing to improve their Spanish language skills.
Attorneys with a working knowledge of Spanish may be offered opportunities for tutoring to improve their language skills after hiring.

Must submit Cover Letter to be considered.

Summary: