Staff Attorney, Hogar [Home] Program

NCLR•Sacramento, CA

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

NCLR is a national legal and advocacy organization serving LGBTQ people and their families. Hogar Home, NCLR’s immigration program, was launched in 1994, the same year the U.S. recognized that immigrants facing persecution on the basis of their sexual orientation could seek protection as refugees and asylees. Since then, Hogar has advanced immigration law and assisted thousands of LGBTQ immigrants facing the risk of abuse, violence, and even death in their home countries for who they are, in obtaining legal status in the U.S. We are currently looking for a Full-Time Staff Attorney, under the supervision of the Director of Community Justice and Access and dotted line supervision under the Vice President of Legal (Legal Director) to represent clients in affirmative and defensive asylum proceedings. This position will also supervise the Director of Hogar and Immigration Project Intern.

Requirements

This position requires a J.D., and license to practice law in good standing in the state of California.
Minimum of 5+ years of experience as a licensed attorney providing immigration legal services.
High level of independence and initiative, good judgment, excellent speaking and writing abilities.
Ability to produce the highest caliber work, creativity, and a willingness to work collaboratively both within the organization and with other groups.
Ability to respond to internal and external inquiries in a timely manner and complete all products in advance of deadlines, ensuring adequate time to review.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Knowledge of and experience advocating for the needs of LGBTQ people, including issues that specifically impact transgender and nonbinary people, people of color, and people living in poverty.
Demonstrated awareness of and commitment to intersectional advocacy and broader social justice issues, including racial and economic justice, feminism, reproductive justice, and an understanding of the multiple communities NCLR represents.
Ability and willingness to travel locally and to work long hours as necessary for litigation.
Enthusiasm for the rights of LGBTQ people and their families, including a demonstrated commitment to public interest legal advocacy.

Nice To Haves

Fluency or advanced proficiency in Spanish is strongly preferred.
Demonstrated experience working with immigrant communities is preferred.
Deep understanding of immigration law and the LGBTQ+ community.
Ability to assist clients in presenting their unique experiences within legal frameworks.
Strong organizational skills and effective leadership abilities.
Capacity to delegate tasks efficiently and foster a collaborative approach to case management.
Problem-solving skills and a creative mindset for client service and team collaboration.
Ability to multitask, prioritize responsibilities, and consistently meet deadlines.
Adaptability to the constantly changing landscape of immigration laws and procedures.
Attention to detail, including grammar, spelling, and formatting.
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills for effective client interaction.
Proficiency in using case management software (e.g., Cerenade), Microsoft Word, Adobe, and other standard office programs.
Must be able to travel regularly to meet with clients or appear on clients’ behalf in proceedings in the San Francisco Bay Area in California.

Responsibilities

Represent asylum clients in Immigration Court aligning with client interests and the legal team's strategy, including development of litigation strategy, performing legal research, drafting and finalizing filings, and preparing client for appearance in Immigration Court.
Represent asylum clients in legal matters in federal court related to their immigration claims, including mandamus and APA claims for clients whose immigration cases or decisions have been pending for long periods and habeas petitions/TRO’s for clients at risk of detention.
Represent asylum clients in affirmative asylum applications, including reviewing applications and coordinating with the immigration team to prepare supporting documentation, preparing clients for interviews, and accompanying clients to interviews.
Manage an independent caseload, supporting the Director of Hogar and Of Counsel attorneys and actively engaging in team collaboration and training efforts.
Supervise the Director of Hogar and Immigration Project Associate, and Immigration Project Intern
Clearly communicate legal advice to clients, oversee forms and evidence, and provide constructive feedback to Hogar Home team to enhance work quality.
Participate in the decision-making process when determining what clients to represent.
Collaborate with the Hogar Home team and external colleagues, ensuring organized case notes and updates are maintained for team and client understanding.
Provide guidance to Hogar Home team on resolving related issues that arise in representation of clients seeking immigration relief, including employment authorization, changes of address, reporting requirements, and others.
Work closely with the Development Department on grant proposals and reports and donor communications.
Work closely with the Communications Department on all media and publicity efforts related to immigration, including strategy, talking points, press releases, blogs, social media, and email outreach.
Provide up‐to‐date case information to the Communications Department for website and print materials.
Serve as spokesperson on NCLR positions on immigration to the media and the public generally.
Represent NCLR in various coalitions related to immigration work.
Update and develop publications and other legal resources.
Present CLEs, panels, and other speaking engagements.
Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

up to 17 days of vacation per year (based on employment status)
sick leave
up to 15 paid holidays (based on employment status)
medical/health/vision insurance coverage with 90% of premiums covered by employer
a 401(k) plan and employer contribution
short-term and long-term disability insurance
life insurance
Section 125 flexible spending pre-tax plans for qualified health and/or childcare expenses
family planning and transition related care stipend
sabbatical leave
Section 132 transportation and parking pre-tax benefits
qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program through the Department of Education