Immigration Staff Attorney

Management Information Exchange

Fresno (CA)

On-site

USD 70,000 - 100,000

Full time

21 hours ago

Be an early applicant

Get a reply from this employer

Your resume and cover letter, tailored to exactly what they’re hiring for.

Get past ATS filters

Benefits offered by this job

Wellness counseling

Union protection

Annual pay increases

Overtime pay

Comp time

Loan assistance

Bilingual pay

Internet reimbursement

Laptop & phone

Bar dues paid

Mileage reimbursement

Retirement contributions

Health insurance

Job summary

Central California Legal Services (CCLS) seeks a Staff Attorney to support its Immigration practice, serving victims of domestic violence, trafficking and abuse. You will provide direct representation, advocacy and education, focusing on U-Visas, SIJS, VAWA self-petitions, and naturalization.

Ideal candidates are CA Bar members or eligible, with experience serving low-income clients, collaboration with community partners, and willingness to travel within the Central Valley.

Qualifications

Active member in good standing of the California Bar.
Experience serving low-income clients and diverse communities.
Experience in immigration law and/or DV/trafficking victims is helpful.
Litigation experience in State, Federal, or Immigration Court.
Willingness to travel as needed.
Ability to work independently or in a team.
Knowledge of poverty law is a plus.
Bilingual in English and another language common in the Central Valley preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide direct legal services in immigration matters for victims of domestic violence, human trafficking, and sexual assault.
Collaborate with CCLS advocates to deliver high-quality representation to clients.
Develop relationships with client groups and community service providers.
Identify systemic issues through casework and impact litigation.
Participate in community outreach and legal workshops/clinics.
Attend planning meetings with partners and networks of Legal Aid advocates.
Provide community presentations to organizations or agencies.
Foster relationships with courts, other nonprofits, and public agencies.
Attend weekly case review meetings and stay updated on law changes.
Commit to impact litigation as part of a holistic advocacy strategy.
Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Bilingual ability

Interpersonal skills

Oral communication

Written communication

Team collaboration

Advocacy experience

Legal aid experience

Job description

The Staff Attorney will work with the Immigration practice group to support the immigration needs of the CCLS client community. The ideal candidate will have experience providing legal representation, consultation, advocacy and education in immigration matters.

DUTIES:

· Provide direct legal services in immigration matters for victims of domestic violence, human trafficking, and sexual assault with a focus on U-Visas, T-Visas, SIJS, VAWA Self-Petitions, and Naturalization;
· Work with CCLS advocates to ensure delivery of high-quality legal representation to clients consistent with CCLS program priorities;
· Develop and maintain relationships with client groups and community-based service providers, and work with them to identify community lawyering opportunities;
· Identify and analyze systemic issues through individual and impact casework;
· Participate in or conduct community outreach/education events and legal workshops/clinics;
· Participate in planning and strategy meetings with project partners and local, state, and national networks of Legal Aid advocates;
· Conduct presentations to the community and partner organizations or agencies;
· Foster productive relationships with other CCLS staff, the court, other non-profit organizations, and public agencies;
· Participate in weekly CCLS case review meetings, stay informed of changes in the law, including continuing legal education, and adhere to CCLS policies and procedures;
Maintain a commitment to impact litigation as part of a holistic and collaborative advocacy strategy;
Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

· Member in good standing of the State Bar of California; or, eligible to practice under the Registered Legal Aid Attorney Program and California Bar admission pursuant to CCLS policy;
· Experience working with low-income clients, collaborating effectively with diverse groups of individuals and organizations, and connecting and strategizing with local community leaders;
· Previous Legal Aid or other non-profit, legal services experience desirable;
· Preferred experience providing legal representation, consultation, advocacy, and education in immigration matters and/or to victims of domestic violence, trafficking or sexual assault helpful;
· Litigation experience in State, Federal and/or Immigration Court, preferably in immigration and domestic violence proceedings;
· Desire to address systemic issues and develop general knowledge of poverty law;
· Bilingual ability strongly preferred in English and at least one other language commonly spoken in the Central Valley;
· Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills;
· Comfortable working under pressure, on a team or independently, passionate about the work, inquisitive, and analytical;
· Collaborative, team-oriented individual able to work with colleagues and external partners;
· Flexibility to work some nights and weekends as needed;
· Ability to travel as needed and proof of liability and property insurance on vehicle used.
· Commitment to CCLS’ mission and core values.

CCLS BENEFITS PACKAGE OVERVIEW:

Work/Life Balance

· 7.5 hour work day / 37.5 hour week
· Free wellness counseling & resources
· Union protection for applicable positions

Rewards for Dedication

· Annual pay increases
· Overtime for Hourly/Non-exempt staff
· Compensatory Time for Salaried/Exempt staff

More than Base Pay

· School Loan Assistance up to $500/month
· Bilingual Pay up to $90/month
· Home internet reimbursement of $25/month
· CCLS issued laptop & cell phone
· CA State Bar dues paid in full
· Mileage reimbursement

Retirement Contribution

· CCLS contributes to staff 403(b) plans starting at the one-year anniversary:
- o Year 1 to 2 – 1% of salary contributed
- o Year 2 to 3 – 2% of salary contributed
- o Year 3 to 4 – 3% of salary contributed
- o Year 4 to 5 – 4% of salary contributed
- o Year 5+ - 5% of salary contributed

Group Health Insurance