Staff Attorney

We are looking for a Staff Attorney to join our team in Los Angeles!

WHO WE ARE

We are the nation’s largest legal and civil rights organization for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI). Our mission is to advocate for civil rights, provide legal services and education, and build coalitions to positively influence and impact Asian Pacific Americans and to create a more equitable and harmonious society. We serve more than 15,000 individuals and organizations every year, focusing on the most vulnerable members of AAPI communities while also building a strong voice for civil rights and social justice. With our Advancing Justice affiliates in Atlanta, Chicago, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., we enrich, enhance, and serve our communities all across the country.

WHAT WE BRING

• The special opportunity to join a mission driven team
• Flexible, hybrid work schedules
• Rich medical, dental and vision benefits
• Retirement options through 403B and match

WHO YOU ARE

You share our mission of advocacy for Asian Pacific Americans. You enjoy the thrill of serving the public interest while championing civil rights and social justice. You take pride in your work enriching lives and communities in Los Angeles and across the country. You are looking for your next role in an organization that supports your career as much as you support the organization and its goals. You are looking for a job where you make a difference, and your impact is directly proportional to your contribution. You are a game changer. You are a leader. You are an advocate.

WHAT YOU BRING

• J.D. and active membership in California State Bar
• Minimum 1-3 years of immigration experience, including immigration court experience, with experience working with victims of crimes and removal proceedings. 
• Experience assisting immigrant, limited English speaking and/or low-income clients
• Experience or familiarity with AAPI community preferred 
• Excellent legal writing, speaking, and organizational skills
• Ability to communicate effectively with clients
• Bilingual fluency in an AAPI language strongly preferred
• Must be self-motivated with the ability to work independently
• Availability and willingness to regularly travel within the county and state
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends 
• Access to reliable means of transportation required

ABOUT THE ROLE

Under the direction of the Program Director, the Staff Attorney is responsible for performing client counseling and representation duties. The Staff Attorney meets with and advises clients of immigrant legal rights and issues, conducts legal research and writing, prepares court forms, prepares immigration applications, and performs other legal duties. The Staff Attorney works directly on complex immigration cases, with a current emphasis on relief for survivors (VAWA, U & T Visas), Asylum (Affirmative & Defensive), Adjustment of Status, Family Based Petitions, DACA, and Removal Defense. The Staff Attorney represents clients before USCIS and the Executive Office for Immigration Review.  The Staff Attorney provides technical support and capacity building to other nonprofit organizations on immigration, and staff evening and weekend workshops. In addition, the Staff Attorney conducts immigration trainings, community outreach and education to local organizations and other partners. The position is covered under the Collective Bargaining Unit.

Your day-to-day responsibilities

75% Provide direct application assistance with immigration cases 

• Undertake administrative and logistical duties related to direct application assistance;  
• Conduct legal review of immigration cases;   
• Provide legal representation for diverse clients with immigration cases before USCIS and Immigration Court;   
• Maintain an active caseload to meet project deliverables  
• Travel to USCIS Field Offices, detention centers, and immigration court to represent clients in immigration matters 

15% Provide Technical Assistance and Support 

• Organize and implement various immigration trainings to staff and community partners   
• Work with intake staff to review and approve appointments, provide immigration legal consultations, answer immigration related questions and review documents;   
• Provide technical assistance, legal review, and/or coordination support of workshops and clinics 

10% Community Outreach and Education  

• Help develop and execute community outreach strategies for the Immigration Services Program, including how to inform appropriate responses to community needs and requests 
• Conduct outreach engagements with local community-based organizations and partners to present information sessions on Immigration, Naturalization, and Immigrant Rights 
• Other duties as assigned 

At AJSOCAL, we value a diverse, inclusive workforce and we provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual’s race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws.  AJSOCAL strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or other covered persons, including interns.