Staff Attorney

CWS Durham; Walnut Creek (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

403(b) Retirement Plan

Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

Generous PTO and holidays

Sick days and Life Insurance

EAP + HSA/FSAs

Job summary

Church World Service in Walnut Creek, CA seeks a Staff Attorney to provide immigration legal representation under CWS contracts. The role includes case file reviews, court appearances, and service delivery within a trauma-informed framework.

The ideal candidate has a JD, CA bar admission preferred, and at least three years of immigration law experience. Collaboration with paralegals and the regional team is essential for successful outcomes.

Qualifications

• JD required; admission to state bar preferred.
• Three years of professional legal experience, immigration law focus.
• Strong writing, research, and analytical abilities; ability to work in a trauma-informed framework.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal representation for clients per CWS contracts.
• Case management and quality assurance including file reviews and timely representation.
• Draft immigration documents, briefs, motions, and FOIA requests as needed.
• Conduct legal research to support immigration applications and case preparation.
• Stay updated on immigration law changes and provide expert guidance within US programs.

Skills

Legal writing

Research

Analytical abilities

Client focus

Trauma-informed

Ukrainian or Afghan language fluency

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Bar admission preferred

Job description

About CWS

Imagine waking up every morning with the chance to change someone's life. Imagine knowing your efforts will benefit both your career and our neighbors around the world. At CWS, our team knows they are making a difference every day. Whether you're in our U.S.-based offices supporting refugees, asylees or unaccompanied children ... implementing hygiene initiatives in Cambodia or rebuilding projects in Central America ... or even connecting remotely from your home on fundraising campaigns, grant reports, or critical communications - you have the opportunity to work towards a world where everyone has food, a voice and a safe place to call home.

Overview

The Staff Attorney for the Church World Service, Northern California Office, will provide legal representation for clients in accordance with the terms of CWS contracts with the funding sources. This position is responsible for case file reviews, court representation and service provision.

Responsibilities

Legal Writing, Research & Case Preparation

• Draft supplemental statements, rebuttals to Notices of Intent to Deny and Requests for Evidence; prepare and file immigration applications and motions; prepare other ancillary immigration papers, including Freedom of Information Act requests.
• Prepare and file all documentation for legal cases, including but not limited to immigration applications, legal briefs and memoranda, motions, expert reports, and evidence.
• Conduct legal research to support filed immigration applications.
• Conduct legal and factual research to prepare legal cases, including legal arguments, witness affidavits and statements, expert interviews and statements, and FOIA requests.
• Stay abreast of changes in immigration law and policy and serve as a subject-matter expert and source of information and analysis of immigration legal services issues and policies within CWS' US programs portfolio, with an emphasis on emerging issues that require accelerated guidance and coordinated response.

Case Management & Quality Assurance

• Properly manage client appointments and professional duties to ensure thorough and professional representation of client interests.
• Work closely with paralegals and other members of the team on client representation and case management to ensure work quality and timeliness.
• Conduct weekly file review to ensure that all case files are maintained appropriately as pertains to professional service delivery and contract requirements.
• Keeps supervisor informed of complaints, issues and/or problems for timely investigation and resolution.
• Works closely with supervisor to keep informed about immigrant issues and conducts legal research to support filed immigration applications.

Grants, Reporting & Data Management

• Provide legal and programmatic information for the development of new grant applications.
• Provide technical assistance into new business development ventures including proposal development and reporting processes to expand CWS’ programs.
• Complete data and narrative reporting related to grant-funded program outcomes. Assist Supervisor, Office Director, Regional team, and/or Headquarters team in preparing grant and other reports and compiling data.

Outreach, Advocacy & External Relations

• Represent CWS and the community-based program, advocacy, and other meetings and speaking engagements related to immigration issues

• Promote the CWS legal program through various media including newspapers, radio and television.
• Coordinate and plan outreach activities to achieve program goals.
• Respond to requests for information posed by local staff and other legal service providers, as appropriate.

Qualifications

Education: JD is required. Admission to a state bar is preferred. Law graduates who have passed the bar exam and with pending admission may be considered. Strong preference for admission in the state where the CWS office is located, or willingness to seek admission in that state.

Experience: Three years professional legal experience, with demonstrated experience in immigration law, preferably focused on humanitarian immigration practice.

Skills:

• Excellent legal writing, research, and analytical abilities.
• Superior written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work within a client-led, trauma-informed framework.
• Ability to work cooperatively with other staff in a fast-paced work environment.
• Ukrainian or Afghan language fluency strongly preferred.

Benefits

CWS offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• 403 (b) Retirement Plan
• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Generous Paid Time Off (18 Paid Days Off; 24 Days after 2 Years)
• 14 Official Holidays
• 12 Sick Days Off (Accrued monthly)
• Life Insurance and AD&D
• Long Term and Short-Term Disability
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Health Savings Account
• Flexible Spending Accounts