Staff Attorney, Immigration Clinic

University of Southern California•Los Angeles, CA

22d

About The Position

The USC Gould School of Law Immigration Clinic is seeking applications for a full-time Staff Attorney position. This position will be primarily responsible for managing the USC Student and Staff Immigrant Legal Assistance Center (“ILAC position”) and handling a limited docket of removal defense cases. The staff attorney will work under the supervision of the co-directors of the Immigration Clinic. The ILAC staff attorney will have primary responsibility for ILAC, the Student and Staff Immigrant Legal Assistance Center, which provides informational sessions, free legal consultations, brief service, pro per assistance, and pro bono referrals to USC students, staff, and their close family members regarding immigration issues. Common issues handled within ILAC include DACA renewal applications (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), TPS applications, crime victim visa applications, advice to individuals who are undocumented, advice to individuals facing removal proceedings, and other immigration issues or questions. The ILAC staff attorney will also handle a limited docket of Immigration Clinic removal cases and USCIS cases (distinct from ILAC matters) and will work with other staff attorneys and oversee and supervise law students enrolled in the Immigration Clinic as needed. The Immigration Clinic represents clients before USCIS, the immigration courts, the Board of Immigration Appeals, U.S. District Courts, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Law students enrolled in the Immigration Clinic during the academic year represent clients in immigration court pursuant to EOIR and DHS student practice rules under the supervision of the co-directors and, when appropriate, staff attorneys. ATTENTION: This position is full-time, exempt, benefits-eligible, and 1-year fixed-term with possible extension. All candidates must submit a cover letter and resume in order to be considered for this position. Applications must be received by Friday, March 15, 2026. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis and the role may be filled before the deadline.

Requirements

J.D. degree
admission to and active California Bar license (attorneys admitted outside of California will be considered - but CA Bar membership is generally required for district court practice)
minimum of 3 years of experience practicing immigration law
Demonstrated experience providing legal guidance.
Proven leadership ability.
Practiced use of discretion and decision-making ability.
Excellent written and oral communication skills and a proven ability to build and maintain deep and meaningful relationships with community members and outside agencies.

Nice To Haves

minimum of 1 year of experience practicing immigration law (newly admitted attorneys will be considered and are encouraged to apply)
experience with representation of clients before USCIS and or immigration courts (including as a law student or accredited representative)
strong case management skills
strong interviewing and evaluation skills
strong writing skills
strong organizational skills
ability to work independently
fluency in Spanish

Responsibilities

Managing the USC Student and Staff Immigrant Legal Assistance Center (“ILAC position”)
Handling a limited docket of removal defense cases
Providing informational sessions, free legal consultations, brief service, pro per assistance, and pro bono referrals to USC students, staff, and their close family members regarding immigration issues
Handling a limited docket of Immigration Clinic removal cases and USCIS cases (distinct from ILAC matters)
Working with other staff attorneys and oversee and supervise law students enrolled in the Immigration Clinic as needed