Immigration Staff Attorney (Temporary, 6-Month Term)

East Bay Community Law Center • Berkeley, CA

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

East Bay Community Law Center (EBCLC) is a nonprofit legal services organization and the community-based clinical program for U.C. Berkeley Law School. Its Immigration Program provides legal and social work services to low-income immigrants, with a focus on vulnerable populations, including people with disabilities and chronic illness, LGBTQ community members, youth, and existing EBCLC clients with other legal issues. The program handles matters such as adjustment of status, removal defense, DACA, naturalization, asylum, waivers, U/T visas, and special immigrant juvenile status, representing clients before USCIS, Immigration Court, the asylum office, the Board of Immigration Appeals, and the Ninth Circuit.

The Immigration Staff Attorney is a temporary, six-month position covering a staff member’s parental leave. The attorney represents immigrants in a wide range of matters and works on a collaborative, holistic legal team serving the East Bay community. The role is supervised by an Immigration Program Co-Director and includes legal representation, community outreach, collaboration with social workers and partner organizations, co-supervision of paralegals, and administrative work. The position is expected to work in the office at least three days each week; EBCLC has a hybrid workplace and provides equipment for working from home.

This is an exempt position with a starting salary of $87,763–$110,763, based on law school graduation date and the EBCLC salary scale. It is not a bargaining-unit position. Benefits include fully paid health insurance for employees and dependents, life and disability insurance, paid leave, flexible spending accounts, and retirement options.

Requirements

• J.D. required.
• Member of the California State Bar in good standing.
• At least one year of experience providing immigration legal services.
• Ability to manage a demanding caseload, with excellent time-management, priority-setting, and organizational skills.
• Excellent written and oral advocacy skills.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse groups, including people of color, people experiencing housing insecurity, non-English speakers, people with mental disabilities, people experiencing domestic violence, law students, service providers, government employees, community partners, and law school faculty.
• Commitment to racial justice, equity, and advancing EBCLC’s mission and work to increase justice through education and advocacy.
• Strong interpersonal skills, flexibility, and demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Submit a complete application consisting of a cover letter, resume, short writing sample, and names and contact information for three professional references, combined into one PDF.

Nice To Haves

• At least three years of experience providing immigration legal services is strongly preferred.
• Previous experience with asylum and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status cases is strongly preferred.
• Proficiency in Spanish is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Represent low-income immigrants in matters before Immigration Court, USCIS, family court, and the Board of Immigration Appeals, including removal defense, asylum, U visas, VAWA, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, adjustment of status, waivers, naturalization, and DACA.
• Provide consultations and direct representation to the immigrant community in the East Bay, including UC Berkeley and local community college students and Alameda County residents in removal proceedings.
• Collaborate with the social work team and other EBCLC attorneys to provide holistic wrap-around services addressing the criminalization of immigrants and barriers to critical supports and services.
• Co-supervise paralegals with the unit’s Co-Directors.
• Conduct community outreach, workshops, and presentations.
• Participate in collaborative partnerships with community and legal services organizations.
• Complete administrative tasks, including grant management and reporting.
• Perform additional tasks as assigned by the Supervisor.

Benefits

• Fully paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their dependents.
• Life and disability insurance.
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Flexible spending accounts for qualified health, dependent care, and commute expenditures.
• Retirement options.
• Equipment provided for working from home.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree