Affirmative Unit, Staff Attorney

Canal Alliance; San Rafael (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Canal Alliance, a nonprofit aiding Latino immigrants in Marin County, seeks an AU Staff Attorney to handle affirmative immigration matters, maintain an active caseload, and collaborate with the AU and community partners. You will develop case strategy, perform research, and represent clients before USCIS and EOIR where needed.

The role emphasizes trauma-informed, client-centered advocacy, strong writing, and meticulous case management, with opportunities to contribute to best practices and staff

Qualifications

• JD and admission to a state bar are required.
• Experience in immigration law is required.
• Bilingual Spanish and English, written and oral fluency, is essential.

Responsibilities

• Manage an assigned caseload including intakes, consultations, legal research, and strategy development.
• Prepare and file USCIS submissions and EOIR matters; respond to RFEs and file appeals.
• Collect, organize, and review supporting documentation for filings.
• Coordinate with AU unit and external partners; maintain timely case milestones and notes in LawLogix.

Skills

Affirmative immigration

USCIS processes

Legal research

Legal writing

Case management

Communications

Trauma-informed advocacy

Bilingual Spanish-English

Education

J.D. and bar admission

Tools

LawLogix

MS Office

Job description

Canal Alliance exists to break the generational cycle of poverty for Latino immigrants and their families by lifting barriers to their success.

Canal Alliance is 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. We invest in high quality services, professional development, and work-life balance.

Position Summary

The Affirmitive Unit Staff Attorney (AU Staff Attorney) represents clients in various humanitarian immigration matters, focusing on affirmative cases. They will maintain an active caseload while conducting case consultations, developing legal strategies, and providing legal representation. The Staff Attorney primarily represents clients before the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and occasionally before the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). In collaboration with members of the AU, the Staff Attorney plays a key role in supporting the delivery of high-quality affirmative immigration legal services by advancing legal excellence, strengthening consistency in practice, monitoring and integrating developments in immigration law and policy, and contributing to the development and implementation of best practices in AU.

Essential Functions

• Manage an assigned caseload, including but not limited to conducting intakes, consultations, legal research, determining eligibility and risk assessment, developing case strategy, responding to Requests for Evidence (RFE), filing Appeals, Motions to Reconsider, Motions to Reopen, preparing and filing submissions to USCIS
• Identify client need for relevant Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and background check requests; prepare and submit FOIA requests and background checks; analyze results to evaluate their impact on case strategy; and file appeals
• Conduct detailed file reviews to identify missing information or evidence, factual discrepancies, and legal issues to determine and implement case strategy
• Collect, organize, and review supporting documentation and evidence for immigration filings
• Ensure timely completion of case milestones and filing deadlines in accordance with agency procedures, workplans, and case management protocols
• Submit case inquiries to USCIS, the USCIS Ombudsman, and Congresspeople
• Prepare and represent clients at biometrics appointments, USCIS interviews and EOIR hearings
• Conduct peer reviews of colleagues’ filings
• Track and analyze changes in immigration law, policy, and procedures, translating developments into timely guidance and resources for program staff
• Develop, maintain, and refine legal resources, templates, and best practices to support program staff and promote consistency, and efficiency
• Schedule and confirm client appointments
• Maintain prompt and regular client communications via texts, voicemails, and emails
• Timely and accurately note all client communications in LawLogix
• Conduct fingerprinting for background check submissions

Collaboration & Working Relationships:

• The AU Staff Attorney collaborates daily with clients and community members seeking affirmative immigration benefits. The AU Staff Attorney works regularly with staff in the Unaccompanied Children (UC) Unit of ILS, and external partners such as the Marin County Public Defender’s Office, the San Rafael Police Department, the Marin County District Attorney’s Office, and psychologists. The AU Staff Attorney may also work with staff in other Canal Alliance departments, such as Social Services and Education.

Expected Time Allocation:

• 75% Legal casework
• 10% Training
• 5% Supporting with mentoring/training junior staff

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong working knowledge of affirmative immigration case types, USCIS processes, and filing procedures
• Experienced with USCIS filings and case preparation
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational, communication, research, writing and analytical skills
• Exceptional case management skills, including the ability to independently manage a high volume of cases, prioritize competing deadlines, and track case progression
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly explain complex procedures, document case activity, and communicate professionally and effectively with clients and colleagues
• Excels working individually/remotely as well as in a team setting
• Skilled in trauma-informed, client-centered advocacy practices
• Able to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when handling sensitive client information
• Experience working with LawLogix or other legal case management software
• Knowledge of Microsoft applications including Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel
• Committed to serving immigrants and sensitive to the needs of low-income, vulnerable clients

Qualifications

• J.D. and a member in good standing of any state bar
• Prior experience in immigration law
• Bilingual – Spanish and English written and oral fluency
• Able to sit for extended periods, with sufficient mobility to work in standard office/courtroom settings

Compensation

This is a full-time, exempt position with benefits. We offer a competitive salary range from $80k-$85k with a benefits package that includes:

• 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, LTD, and EAP
• 403(b)-retirement plan with employer match of up to 4% after 3 months of employment
• Voluntary benefits include FSA, vision, life, and pet insurance, as well as coverage for dependents
• Telehealth for physical and mental health