Staff Attorney- San Joaquin Valley

The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) is seeking a full-time Staff Attorney working remotely from the San Joaquin Valley of California. Applicants living adjacent to the San Joaquin Valley and willing to travel to the region on a weekly basis may be considered. The San Joaquin Valley consists of the following eight counties: Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Tulare. This is an exempt, bargaining-unit position represented by the National Legal Services Workers (NOLSW), Local 2320, and reports to a Directing Attorney.

About the Organization

The ILRC is a leading immigrant rights organization headquartered in San Francisco with staff across Washington, D.C., Texas, Southern California, the Central Valley of California, and Washington state. Since 1979, our mission has been to educate, support, and empower immigrants, community organizations, and legal practitioners to build a more just, inclusive, and democratic society. Our team is passionate, collaborative, and committed to equity and innovation.

About the Role

This position offers an opportunity to join a mission-driven team dedicated to strengthening the ecosystem of organizations providing family-based affirmative and removal defense services within the San Joaquin Valley. The ideal candidate will help build the capacity of local partners by delivering legal trainings, providing technical assistance, supporting community members directly at legal workshops, and developing clear, accessible community resources and practice advisories for legal practitioners. The role also involves participating in key collaboratives, networks, and coalitions to share resources, provide timely updates, and advance pro-immigrant efforts across the region.

Responsibilities

• Conduct in-person and/or webinar trainings on immigration law and practice for attorneys and accredited representatives.
• Provide training to community members in English and Spanish on immigration law topics, including Know Your Rights and Public Charge.
• Provide legal review and advice at immigration workshops on various topics.
• Participate in regional collaboratives and task forces to represent the ILRC and provide relevant information on immigrant rights, immigration law, and policy updates.
• Travel for trainings, meetings, and other events throughout the San Joaquin Valley, the rest of California, and, at times, throughout the United States.
• Contribute to ILRC legal projects, including writing, editing, and updating legal manuals and publications.
• Conduct case rounds and provide case-specific technical assistance to nonprofit agency staff, private practice attorneys, and pro bono attorneys in the region who work with low-income noncitizens on family-based defensive and affirmative immigration law.
• Present accessible information in English and Spanish on complex legal topics to the media, community members, and practitioners.

Requirements

• A minimum of 5 years of experience representing clients in general immigration law, including before USCIS, EOIR, and the BIA.
• Broad knowledge of immigration law, including grounds of inadmissibility and deportability and eligibility for relief.
• Strong foundation in removal defense practice, federal court litigation, and legal responses to immigration enforcement.
• Ability to lead meetings and communicate with attorneys, community members, advocates, policy-makers, funders, and others.
• Willingness to work closely with and learn from colleagues, including taking direction and incorporating feedback.
• Excellent writing, editing, and legal analysis skills.
• Excellent training and presentation skills.
• Strong time management skills and the ability to meet deadlines.
• A strong work ethic, including being organized, flexible, reliable, and able to work independently and handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Willingness to participate in team-based efforts and a collaborative decision-making environment.
• A current bar membership in good standing for any U.S. state or the District of Columbia (California preferred).
• Demonstrated proficiency in Spanish, including strong speaking and writing skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Engagement with rapid response networks and urgent legal response strategies.
• Technical writing for immigration or other purposes.
• Training, teaching, or other public speaking experience.
• Experience working in, leading, or forming coalitions.
• Collaboration with organizers, advocates, and immigrant communities.

Pay

Starting pay for this position is $93,509.70 for those who are 5 years out of law school. Attorneys with more than 5 years of experience will receive a higher salary based on their law school graduation year (e.g., $116,008.70 for 10 years out of law school). Pay is extremely competitive for the field and commensurate with experience according to the ILRC salary scale for attorneys.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) sessions.
• Flexible spending account for medical and dependent care.
• Vacation and sick leave.
• Retirement plan contribution upon eligibility.
• Annual professional development stipend of $2,500.
• Annual wellness stipend of $2,500 (2024–2027).
• Sabbatical program: eligible for an 8-week sabbatical after five years of service and a 12-week sabbatical after ten years of service.