Staff Attorney - Pro Bono Coordinator

Canal Alliance exists to break the generational cycle of poverty for Latino immigrants and their families by lifting barriers to their success. We are a nonprofit champion of immigrants who are challenged by a lack of resources and an unfamiliar environment. Every day, we educate, empower, support, and partner with motivated immigrants to best meet all their unique needs—from putting food on the table, to becoming American citizens, to learning English, to graduating from college. Canal Alliance strives for a trauma-informed collaborative and inclusive culture, investing in high-quality services, professional development, and work-life balance.

About the role

The Staff Attorney will develop and implement an ILS Pro Bono Program while providing specialized legal services and other special projects as assigned by the Senior Supervising Attorney. The role involves cultivating relationships with community members, students, attorneys, and corporations. Depending on organizational need and experience, the Staff Attorney will also maintain a caseload representing clients before the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). This is a full-time, exempt position with a hybrid work model requiring three days a week in the office. Availability to attend hearings and interviews in San Francisco as needed is required. The Staff Attorney reports to the Senior Supervising Attorney of the Affirmative Unit.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the ILS Pro Bono Program and internal procedures for pro bono case management
• Foster relationships with local attorneys, bar associations, law firms, and law schools to recruit pro bono volunteers
• Place cases with, train, and coordinate with pro bono volunteers
• Mentor pro bono volunteers on case management and filing
• Manage cases from intake, placement with pro bono volunteers, through filing with USCIS
• Coordinate with Canal Alliance’s Development, Marketing, and Outreach teams to develop and expand pro bono opportunities in support of Canal Alliance’s mission
• Conduct client intakes, consultations, provide eligibility assessment, develop case strategy, and represent individuals before USCIS in a variety of humanitarian applications
• Cover hearings before EOIR as needed
• Ensure all cases are filed timely in accordance with departmental policies and grant deliverable timelines
• Comply with ILS policies, procedures, and best practices, including entering data into case management software (LawLogix), collecting fees, executing contracts with clients, and filing applications in a timely manner
• Compile client data for reporting requirements
• Participate in regular peer review meetings, one-on-one check-ins with supervisor, Affirmative Unit meetings, ILS department meetings, all-staff meetings, and quarterly all-staff retreats
• Attend immigration legal trainings and behavioral health trainings as needed
• Participate in other team and agency meetings
• Assist Senior Supervising Attorney in improving effective and efficient inter- and intra-agency referral systems

Requirements

• At least 3 years of immigration practice experience
• Licensed attorney (California preferred)
• Bilingual (English and Spanish) oral and written fluency
• Ability to effectively communicate with, train, and manage legal practitioners with varied experience
• Project management experience preferred
• Experience working with LawLogix or other legal case management software preferred
• Able to sit for extended periods and sufficient mobility to work in standard office/courtroom settings
• Excellent attention to detail, organizational, communication, writing, and analytical skills
• Ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment and excel in working individually/remotely as well as in a team setting
• Commitment to serving immigrants and sensitivity to the needs of low-income, vulnerable clients
• COVID vaccination required (except for medical or religious exemptions)

Benefits

• 3 weeks paid vacation per year
• 12 days of sick leave per year
• Paid birthday each year
• 13 paid holidays per year
• 100% paid employee medical & dental insurance, life insurance, long-term disability (LTD), and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match of up to 4% after 3 months of employment
• Voluntary benefits including FSA, vision, life, and pet insurance, as well as coverage for dependents
• Telehealth for physical and mental health

Pay

Competitive salary range from $85,000 to $95,000 per year.

Schedule

• 4-day work week (Monday–Thursday, 9am–5pm)
• Hybrid work model: minimum of 3 days onsite at headquarters in San Rafael, CA
• Occasional night and weekend events, quarterly in-person staff retreats, and other in-person trainings and meetings as needed