Staff Attorney

Responsibilities

• Provide representation to clients with cases involving issues such as criminal history, immigration law violations, family law issues, current or previous removal proceedings, appeals, or other issues related to their immigration matters as needed
• Responsible for the preparation, review, revision and submission of any documents needed to address a client’s immigration issues, including but not limited to, applications, motions, legal memos or briefs, petitions or requests, before USCIS and/or immigration court proceedings
• Represent individuals before federal, state or local courts, agencies or tribunals at all levels as needed to properly address and resolve issues for clients in their cases. Such a representation should follow both ethical and professional responsibility obligations as well as funder requirements
• Responsible for creating and communicating timelines and tasks to supervisors, colleagues, and subordinate staff that will properly and efficiently resolve issues to achieve the best possible outcome for clients. Also responsible for communicating this information to clients
• Able to work effectively under pressure with urgent deadlines
• Research and analyze complex and straightforward legal matters pertaining to own caseload and assuming responsibility and risk for outcomes of client cases
• Screens potential clients for all potential and available immigration benefits that they may qualify for and use that information to assess their ability to successfully pursue and obtain those benefits
• Communicate to potential clients an assessment or evaluation of their immigration cases or circumstances, including but not limited to any rights these individuals possess, any requirements these individuals must complete, and any deadlines they must comply with
• Stay up to date with changes in immigration law and other immigration related developments to be able to provide clients with the best representation possible in their immigration matters
• Make appropriate referrals as necessary for immigration legal services beyond the scope of the program or one’s own competencies, and for other social service needs
• Assume caseload of any departing staff member as needed

Qualifications

• Active attorney license and good standing with a CA State Bar
• At least one year’s experience practicing immigration law
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice, progressive social change, empowering communities’ rights and justice
• A high level of integrity and the ability to maintain confidentiality
• Able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Must be flexible to work early morning, evenings and Saturdays during clinical/consultations times as needed
• PREFERRED: Fluency or high proficiency in the Spanish language and/or other languages that would allow communication with existing, new or potential clients
• PREFERRED: Experience in assisting noncitizens applying for a wide variety of immigration benefits and processes before USCIS and/or the Immigration Court
• PREFERRED: Engaging communication skills that can effectively and independently communicate with diverse audiences and network collaboratively among a variety of stakeholder groups
• PREFERRED: Excellent creative problem solving, strategic thinking, and analytical skills
• PREFERRED: Excellent organizational skills and strong attention to detail
• PREFERRED: Experience with providing direct services to the community, ideally in a nonprofit setting
• PREFERRED: Experience working with survivors of trauma, victims of violence, and human trafficking
• PREFERRED: Experience working with underserved and diverse populations
• PREFERRED: Ability to be comfortable in a collaborative, consultative environment
• PREFERRED: Demonstrated experience working effectively as part of a team and with colleagues of diverse backgrounds and perspectives, both in person and within a remote work environment
• PREFERRED: Demonstrated ability to be proactive in their approach to assigned responsibilities, completing tasks and/or using technology and systems to maximize efficiency
• PREFERRED: Strong commitment to CHIRLA’s mission of empowering low-income community groups