Staff Attorney - Education & Leadership Foundation (Fresno)

SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW; Fresno (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Vacation Time

Medical Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan with 3% employer matching

Job summary

A nonprofit legal organization in Fresno is seeking a dedicated Staff Attorney to provide legal representation and case management for immigrants seeking benefits. The ideal candidate will have a J.D. degree, minimum 2 years in immigration law, and be bilingual in English and Spanish. This full-time role includes preparing immigration applications and representing clients in various legal proceedings. The position offers a comprehensive benefits package and professional development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of experience in immigration law, including direct representation.
• Must be bilingual & biliterate in English and Spanish.
• Experience preparing affirmative immigration applications required.

Responsibilities

• Represent clients in affirmative immigration matters and removal defense.
• Conduct legal consultations and case assessments for clients.
• Prepare and file applications for various immigration benefits.

Skills

Experience in immigration law

Proficiency in Google Workspace

Bilingual in English and Spanish

Legal research and writing skills

Education

J.D. degree with active bar membership

Job description

Staff Attorney - Education & Leadership Foundation (Fresno)

The Staff Attorney is responsible for providing direct legal representation, consultations, and case management for immigrants seeking immigration benefits. This role provides both affirmative and removal defense immigration cases, ensuring that individuals and families receive high-quality legal services to secure lawful status, work authorization, and protection under U.S. immigration law. They will represent clients with both affirmative and removal defense immigration needs. They will also conduct legal consultations, case assessments, and application preparation, ensuring clients receive thorough and compassionate legal assistance.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• J.D. degree with active bar membership required (CA State Bar preferred).
• Minimum 2 years of experience in immigration law, including experience with direct representation before USCIS.
• Experience preparing and filing affirmative immigration applications.
• Proficiency in Google Workspace and Case Management Systems, with strong organizational and analytical skills.
• Bilingual & Biliterate in English and Spanish, with strong legal research, writing, and client advocacy skills.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Represent clients in affirmative and removal defense immigration matters, including detained and non-detained individuals, before USCIS, EOIR Immigration Court, the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and other relevant California state courts.
• Provide full-scope removal defense representation to clients, including bond hearings, merits hearings, motions, appeals, and post-order relief.
• Provide direct representation to unaccompanied minors, including proceedings before USCIS, EOIR, and state court child welfare matters such as guardianship and custody for SIJS eligibility.
• Conduct client intakes, legal consultations, and case assessments for individuals, families, children, community members, and students, including those in immigration detention.
• Participate in triage meetings to screen potential clients and identify urgent or high-priority cases.
• Prepare, file, and litigate applications and petitions for immigration benefits, including but not limited to: Naturalization, DACA, Employment Authorization, Family-Based Petitions, Adjustment of Status, LPR renewal, Consular Processing, Parole-in-Place, Asylum, Withholding of Removal, and CAT relief, SIJS, U Visas, VAWA, T Visas, Temporary Protected Status, Other humanitarian and discretionary relief.
• Draft and submit legal briefs, motions, affidavits, declarations and supporting documentation for affirmative filings, removal filings and other court filings.
• Collect and organize supporting evidence, country conditions reports and expert evaluations or reports in support of affirmative relief, removal relief and other court filings.
• Prepare clients for USCIS interviews, immigration court hearings, and other proceedings, using trauma-informed and client-centered advocacy.
• Review criminal records and dispositions and analyze immigration consequences, including inadmissibility, deportability, and eligibility for relief.
• Supervise, mentor, and provide technical assistance to non-accredited staff, DOJ-accredited representatives, legal assistants, interns, fellows, volunteers, and service providers, including support for DOJ accreditation and renewal.
• Stay updated on immigration law changes, USCIS policies, and relevant case law, ensuring compliance with legal and ethical standards.
• Conduct community legal education and outreach, including Know Your Rights presentations, immigration information sessions, and workshops (e.g., naturalization and DACA events).
• Maintain accurate, timely, and detailed case records in legal case management systems and ensure compliance with documentation and filing deadlines.
• Collaborate with schools, nonprofits, advocacy organizations, and service providers to ensure accessible legal services.
• Track work hours, case outcomes, and grant deliverables, ensuring accurate reporting for funders and stakeholders.
• Work closely with program leadership to maximize case quality and output while maintaining ethical and professional standards.
• Participate in staff meetings, case reviews, internal policy discussions, and program development activities.
• Support organizational fundraising efforts, community advancement initiatives, and application workshops, as assigned.
• Attend court hearings, detention facilities, community colleges, service centers, outreach events, and trainings as required, including domestic travel within and outside California, and occasional evenings or weekends.
• Complete additional duties, job-related training, and professional development as assigned.

Full-time employees are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Paid Vacation Time
• Personal Leave Hours
• Medical Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with 3% employer matching
• Additional professional development and training opportunities as available