Affirmative Unit, Staff Attorney

Canal Alliance•San Rafael, CA

1d•$80,000 - $85,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Canal Alliance exists to break the generational cycle of poverty for Latino immigrants and their families by lifting barriers to their success. Canal Alliance is a nonprofit champion of immigrants who are challenged by a lack of resources and an unfamiliar environment. Every day, we educate, empower, support, and partner with motivated immigrants to best meet all their unique needs—from putting food on the table, to becoming American citizens, to learning English, to graduating from college. Canal Alliance strives for a trauma-informed collaborative and inclusive culture. We invest in high quality services, professional development, and work-life balance. The Affirmative Unit Staff Attorney (AU Staff Attorney) represents clients in various humanitarian immigration matters, focusing on affirmative cases. They will maintain an active caseload while conducting case consultations, developing legal strategies, and providing legal representation. The Staff Attorney primarily represents clients before the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and occasionally before the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). In collaboration with members of the AU, the Staff Attorney plays a key role in supporting the delivery of high-quality affirmative immigration legal services by advancing legal excellence, strengthening consistency in practice, monitoring and integrating developments in immigration law and policy, and contributing to the development and implementation of best practices in AU.

Requirements

The AU Staff Attorney collaborates daily with clients and community members seeking affirmative immigration benefits.
The AU Staff Attorney works regularly with staff in the Unaccompanied Children (UC) Unit of ILS, and external partners such as the Marin County Public Defender’s Office, the San Rafael Police Department, the Marin County District Attorney’s Office, and psychologists.
The AU Staff Attorney may also work with staff in other Canal Alliance departments, such as Social Services and Education.
75% Legal casework
10% Training
10% Administrative work
5% Supporting with mentoring/training junior staff
Strong working knowledge of affirmative immigration case types, USCIS processes, and filing procedures
Experienced with USCIS filings and case preparation
Excellent attention to detail and organizational, communication, research, writing and analytical skills
Exceptional case management skills, including the ability to independently manage a high volume of cases, prioritize competing deadlines, and track case progression
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly explain complex procedures, document case activity, and communicate professionally and effectively with clients and colleagues
Excels working individually/remotely as well as in a team setting
Skilled in trauma-informed, client-centered advocacy practices
Able to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when handling sensitive client information
Experience working with LawLogix or other legal case management software
Knowledge of Microsoft applications including Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel
Committed to serving immigrants and sensitive to the needs of low-income, vulnerable clients
J.D. and a member in good standing of any state bar
Prior experience in immigration law
Bilingual – Spanish and English written and oral fluency
Able to sit for extended periods, with sufficient mobility to work in standard office/courtroom settings

Responsibilities

Manage an assigned caseload, including but not limited to conducting intakes, consultations, legal research, determining eligibility and risk assessment, developing case strategy, responding to Requests for Evidence (RFE), filing Appeals, Motions to Reconsider, Motions to Reopen, preparing and filing submissions to USCIS
Identify client need for relevant Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and background check requests; prepare and submit FOIA requests and background checks; analyze results to evaluate their impact on case strategy; and file appeals
Conduct detailed file reviews to identify missing information or evidence, factual discrepancies, and legal issues to determine and implement case strategy
Collect, organize, and review supporting documentation and evidence for immigration filings
Ensure timely completion of case milestones and filing deadlines in accordance with agency procedures, workplans, and case management protocols
Submit case inquiries to USCIS, the USCIS Ombudsman, and Congresspeople
Prepare and represent clients at biometrics appointments, USCIS interviews and EOIR hearings
Conduct peer reviews of colleagues’ filings
Track and analyze changes in immigration law, policy, and procedures, translating developments into timely guidance and resources for program staff
Develop, maintain, and refine legal resources, templates, and best practices to support program staff and promote consistency, and efficiency
Schedule and confirm client appointments
Maintain prompt and regular client communications via texts, voicemails, and emails
Timely and accurately note all client communications in LawLogix
Conduct fingerprinting for background check submissions
Maintain physical and digital client files in order
Compile client data for reporting requirements
Participate in one-on-one check-in meetings with supervisor, Affirmative Unit meetings, ILS department meetings, all staff meetings, and quarterly all-staff retreats
Attend immigration legal trainings as assigned by Supervising Attorney
Tasks or special projects assigned by the Supervising Attorney, including but not limited to providing administrative support, conducting workshops, trainings, and participating at outreach events
May support training or guidance of junior staff

Benefits

3 weeks paid vacation per year
12 days of sick leave per year
Paid Birthday each year
13 paid holidays per year
100% paid employee medical & dental insurance
life insurance
LTD
EAP
403(b)-retirement plan with employer match of up to 4% after 3 months of employment
Voluntary benefits include FSA, vision, life, and pet insurance, as well as coverage for dependents
Telehealth for physical and mental health