Directing Attorney - Rapid Response
Rapid Response Program
Oversee delivery of urgent legal services in response to enforcement actions
Support and supervise attorneys handling emergency matters, including:
Bond motions
Motions to reopen
Stays of removal
Habeas petitions
Coordinate with community partners and rapid response networks
Ensure timely and effective deployment of legal staff to detention facilities and impacted communities
Help develop systems and protocols for rapid legal response and crisis coordination
Key Responsibilities
- Leadership & Supervision
Supervise Managing Attorneys, attorneys, and program staff, as applicable
Provide mentorship, training, and performance management
Foster a collaborative, mission-driven, and inclusive team culture - Program Strategy & Oversight
Lead program planning, implementation, and evaluation
Ensure compliance with grant requirements, contracts, and reporting obligations
Collaborate with ImmDef leadership on organizational strategy and cross-program alignment
Rapid Response – Program Responsibilities
Oversee delivery of urgent legal services in response to enforcement actions
Support and supervise attorneys handling emergency matters, including:
Bond motions
Motions to reopen
Stays of removal
Habeas petitions
Coordinate with community partners and rapid response networks
Ensure timely and effective deployment of legal staff to detention facilities and impacted communities
Help develop systems and protocols for rapid legal response and crisis coordination
Requirements
- Juris Doctorate degree, or foreign law degree and L.L.M; Active California State Bar License or licensure from another U.S. jurisdiction and, if required, willingness to "waive into" the CA Bar via the Multi-Junctional Practice Program
- Minimum 6 years of legal practice, including 4 years of immigration removal defense experience, and minimum 2 years of supervisory or management experience, including mentoring attorneys handling complex and high-volume caseloads
Requirements - Managing Attorneys
- Minimum 3 years of legal practice, including 2 years of immigration removal defense experience
Requirements - Directing Attorneys
- Minimum 6 years of legal practice, including 4 years of immigration removal defense experience, and minimum 2 years of supervisory or management experience, including mentoring attorneys handling complex and high-volume caseloads
Qualifications
- Passion for social justice for immigrants required
- Experience representing children, families, and adults in applications for asylum/WOR/CAT, special immigrant juvenile status, cancellation, waivers, adjustment of status, immigration consequences of criminal convictions, bond, humanitarian parole, post-conviction relief, habeas petitions, BIA appeals, motions to reopen, and/or naturalization before USCIS or EOIR
- Experience representing immigrants detained in ICE, CBP and/or ORR custody
- Experience representing children and families in guardianship, parentage, child custody, or dependency proceedings in California for SIJS purposes
- Experience representing immigrants with juvenile delinquency or criminal history
- Familiarity with evolving immigration and border policies
- Knowledge of best practices in working with clients with mental competency issues, including those suffering from mental health challenges and children
- Strong case management, legal research, and legal writing skills
- Willingness to zealously pursue new and untested legal theories
- Strong strategic thinking, organizational leadership, and problem-solving skills
- Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work under pressure
- Experience managing, teaching and mentoring staff
- Ability to work collaboratively and to handle multiple demands in a sometimes hectic and busy environment
- DACA Recipients encouraged to apply!
Skills
- Strong case management, legal research, and legal writing skills
- Willingness to zealously pursue new and untested legal theories
- Strong strategic thinking, organizational leadership, and problem-solving skills
- Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work under pressure
- Experience managing, teaching and mentoring staff
- Ability to work collaboratively and to handle multiple demands in a sometimes hectic and busy environment
Benefits
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.
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.
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 $130 per month in actual accrued parking or transportation costs, paid through a pre-tax commuter benefit account.
Staff in all offices are eligible to receive a public transportation stipend of up to $100 per month in actual accrued public transportation costs.
Pay
Title and compensation will be commensurate with experience.
Directing Attorney starting salary $115,000
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. As a member of ImmDef’s management team, you are expected to schedule your hours and on-site attendance to maximize your availability to your team, serving as a role model for effective work habits and professional conduct.