Immigration Attorney

Summary

The MILA Supervising Attorney will represent clients in immigration legal status proceedings before California Superior Court, USCIS, and removal defense before Immigration Court, Board of Immigration Appeals, and US 9th Circuit Court. They will collaborate with the MILA Program Manager, supervise and mentor staff attorneys, and work with the outreach and education team.

Responsibilities

• Complete intakes on potential clients.
• Evaluate clients for potential immigration legal status eligibility.
• Represent clients in court.
• File pleadings, motions, and various court documents.
• Work with the MILA team (trilingual caseworkers, outreach and education team, MILA Manager, and Department of Justice Accredited Representatives).
• Supervise and mentor staff attorneys and DOJ Accredited Representatives.
• Completion of required USCIS forms and documentation.
• Communicate with law enforcement and county officials, and other professionals.
• Research on country conditions, and develop methods to acquire evidence for Asylum.
• As legal expert, participate in community events, panels, and collaborations, prepare presentations for community outreach, and partner with local organizations and government agencies.
• Maintain an accurate calendar, database, and reporting system for clients.
• Stay up-to-date on immigration issues.
• Ability to travel to court, MICOP’s offices in 3 Central Coast counties, and other locations as needed.
• Participate in scheduled meetings with Program Manager and other MILA Staff.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor degree.
• Maintain active Bar license, CA Bar License preferred.
• At least 6 years experience practicing immigration law.
• Passion for the mission of supporting, empowering, and organizing the indigenous migrant community in California’s Central Coast.
• Experience representing clients in immigration court.
• Experience filing applications for relief, supporting evidence, and country conditions before the USCIS, Immigration Court.
• Experience preparing and filing appeals with the Board of Immigration Appeals or US 9th Circuit Court.
• Experience working with survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, victims of crimes; unaccompanied minors, and persons seeking asylum.
• Strong interpersonal and communications skills.
• Supervise the MILA legal team to prioritize workload.
• Possess outstanding time management skills.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Genuine commitment to addressing community issues.
• High degree of competency understanding the political process and government structures.
• Proficient in MS Office and Google Suite.
• Bilingual: Spanish-English (oral communication, reading and writing, required).
• Ability to communicate in Mixteco language, preferred.