Immigration Attorney

Jewish Family And Community Services East Bay•Berkeley, CA

16d•$74,000 - $116,000•Hybrid

About The Position

JFCS East Bay is looking to hire an Immigration Attorney and/or a Senior Immigration Attorney to provide legal services to indigent immigrants in California. The position(s) will report to the Immigration Legal Services (ILS) Director. The overall goal of JFCS East Bay’s ILS program is to provide accessible legal services to low-income and vulnerable immigrant families so that they understand their rights and feel safe pursuing available legal options. These services include legal consultations and representation in removal defense and affirmative immigration cases as well as occasional federal litigation. The Senior Attorney role, in addition to the above duties, combines direct representation of clients with staff supervision, mentoring, and program management. This position will work collaboratively with staff and volunteers to advance the organization’s mission of promoting social justice and equity for immigrant communities.

Requirements

JD and membership and in good standing in any bar in the United States
3-5 years of experience providing legal representation to non-citizens before USCIS and EOIR. For the Senior Attorney role, 5+ years of progressive immigration legal experience is required.
Familiarity with immigration law and procedures, including applications for asylum, family-based immigration, U-visas, adjustment of status, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), and cancellation of removal.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and legal case management systems.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Commitment to equity, inclusion, and anti-racist principles in legal practice. Demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Clear DMV record and driver’s license

Nice To Haves

Membership and good standing in the California State Bar.
Spanish language fluency
Prior supervision experience of legal interns, paralegals or attorneys. (For Senior Immigration Attorney)

Responsibilities

Provide holistic representation to non-detained and detained immigrants who live in the East Bay in removal proceedings before the San Francisco and Concord Immigration Courts, as well as in matters before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”), the Board of Immigration Appeals (“BIA”), Circuit Courts, and potentially state courts to obtain Special Immigrant Juvenile Status findings.
Manage a caseload which can include affirmative applications and petitions such family-based petitions, consular processing, and adjustment of status, humanitarian relief (VAWA, U visas, asylum, TPS, SIJS) and naturalization applications and unlawful presence waivers.
Prepare and submit applications, declarations, legal briefs, and supporting documentation for cases involving asylum, withholding of removal, relief under the Convention Against Torture, Cancellation of Removal, and adjustment of status with applicable waivers, refugee waivers and bond hearings before EOIR.
File habeas petitions with the Federal District Court and other release requests for detained clients. Visit detained individuals at California detention centers. Provides consultations for detained and non-detained individuals.
Stay up to date on changing immigration law, policies, and procedures by participating in training and workshops.
Maintains accurate and up-to-date client information incase management database and assists with grant reports.
Collaborate with partner organizations to refer clients to legal, social, healthcare, and mental health services as appropriate.
Conduct outreach events and presentations, including know-your-rights workshops and legal screening events to increase awareness of pathways to relief, legal rights and responsibilities, and enable access to legal resources.
Participate in attorney of the day or legal clinics to support pro se immigrants.
Other duties as assigned
Manage JFCSEB’s regional and countywide collaboratives, including developing and maintaining Know Your Rights resources, conducting training, and mentoring staff. This role also includes overseeing projects and supervising attorneys participating in these initiatives.
Hire, train, and supervise and accredited representatives, legal assistants and/or immigration attorneys.
Conduct case reviews to ensure compliance with ethical and professional standards. Assist the ILS Director with program development and reporting, fostering a culture of collaboration, feedback, and strategic partnership.