Staff Attorney - Immigrants' Rights

About the role

The Staff Attorney will provide direct legal representation to immigrant survivors with a focus on affirmative applications, including U visa, T visa, relief under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and adjustment of status matters. The role involves recruiting, training, and supervising pro bono attorneys in U visa, VAWA, T visa and adjustment of status matters; engaging in community education, Know Your Rights presentations, coalition spaces and advocacy to promote the rights of immigrant survivors; working closely with the Supervising Attorney, Staff Attorney, and Program Manager; and collaborating with team members to provide client-centered, holistic, trauma-informed, and interdisciplinary services for clients.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct legal representation to immigrant survivors with a focus on affirmative applications, including U visa, T visa, relief under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and adjustment of status matters
• Recruit, train, and supervise pro bono attorneys in U visa, VAWA, T visa and adjustment of status matters
• Engage in community education, Know Your Rights presentations, coalition spaces and advocacy to promote the rights of immigrant survivors
• Work closely with the Supervising Attorney, Staff Attorney, and Program Manager
• Collaborate with team members to provide client-centered, holistic, trauma-informed, and interdisciplinary services for clients
• Perform administrative tasks in support of this work, including opening and closing matters, printing and scanning documents, maintaining files, etc.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

Required qualifications include:

• J.D. degree from an ABA-approved law school
• Admission to practice law in California
• At least 2 years of relevant post-graduation experience in immigration law
• Experience providing direct legal representation to immigrant survivors
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Experience with trauma-informed care and client-centered approaches

Qualifications

Preferred qualifications include:

• Experience with U visa, T visa, VAWA, and adjustment of status matters
• Experience with community education and advocacy
• Experience with pro bono representation
• Experience with interdisciplinary services

Skills

Essential skills include:

• Excellent analytical and research skills
• Strong writing and oral advocacy skills
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information

Benefits

Public Counsel offers a competitive benefits package including medical coverage with an option for 100% employer-paid employee and dependent child(ren)'s premiums; buy-up options are available for other HMO and PPO coverage; dental and vision coverage; option to enroll in a Flexible Spending Account; employer-paid life insurance and disability plans; generous Paid Time Off (PTO); up to 60 hours of compensatory time per calendar year; and more.