Senior Staff Attorney or Staff Attorney – Immigration Unit

Public Law Center•Santa Ana, CA

19d•Hybrid

About The Position

Public Law Center is hiring a Senior Staff Attorney or Staff Attorney for its Immigration Unit. This is a full-time, exempt, hybrid position reporting to a co-supervising attorney. The position is subject to a probationary period during the first six months of continuous employment. Employees must work in the office at least two days per week during probation and at least one day per week afterward. Travel throughout Orange County and neighboring counties is necessary for USCIS and EOIR appearances and community presentations or events. Community presentations and events may occasionally require evening or weekend work. The attorney conducts legal screenings and consultations, manages a full caseload of immigration matters including removal defense and affirmative relief, and collaborates with legal service providers and community partners on advocacy efforts. The role also oversees volunteer pro bono attorneys and law students, participates in immigration clinics, workshops, and community education, and represents Public Law Center at legal networking and community outreach events. Public Law Center is dedicated to building a diverse team and fostering a fair and welcoming workplace. It is an equal opportunity employer and will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with legal requirements. The organization cannot sponsor employment visas or consider applicants on time-limited visa status for this position.

Requirements

Active membership in the California State Bar or eligibility to practice under the State Bar Multijurisdictional Practice Program.
1–5 years of immigration law experience, including client representation before USCIS and/or EOIR.
Demonstrated commitment to working with immigrant communities.

Nice To Haves

Strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to communicate with a variety of audiences.
Strong legal research and writing skills.
Ability to effectively manage a high volume of cases and multitask concurrent responsibilities.
Bilingual English/Spanish or another language.

Responsibilities

Conduct legal screenings and consultations.
Maintain a full caseload of immigration cases, including removal defense and affirmative relief.
Participate in collaborative advocacy efforts with other legal service providers and community partners.
Oversee volunteer pro bono attorneys and law students through training, technical support, and general supervision.
Participate in immigration legal clinics, workshops, and community education presentations.
Represent Public Law Center at legal networking and community outreach events.
Travel throughout Orange County and neighboring counties for USCIS and EOIR appearances and community presentations or events.

Benefits

Health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; PLC pays 100% of employee premium costs for most plans and 50% of dependent health insurance premium costs.
Flexible Spending Account program for medical expenses and childcare costs.
18–20 paid holidays, including an office shutdown between December 24 and early January.
21 paid sick/wellness days per year.
15 paid vacation days per year, with additional days added for each year at PLC.
Two hours of birthday paid time off during the employee’s birthday month.
403(b) retirement plan; after six months of employment, PLC provides a matching contribution equal to 100% of salary deferral up to a maximum of 3–4%, depending on length of employment.
Monthly stipend to offset Wi-Fi and cell phone costs.
Monthly bilingual pay premium upon achieving a sufficiently high score on an oral and/or written test ($50 for each premium).
Opportunities for growth and advancement.
Paid California Bar fees, one section membership, and MCLE.