Staff Attorney

CHIRLA•Los Angeles, CA

1d•$72,176 - $78,065•Onsite

About The Position

The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) is seeking a Staff Attorney to join its legal department. This role involves assisting clients with immigration benefits and representation in various legal proceedings, as well as engaging in community-based systemic reform and advocacy. The Staff Attorney will conduct consultations, provide zealous representation, and supervise paralegals or support staff. The position requires staying current with immigration law changes and making appropriate referrals when necessary. The Staff Attorney will also be responsible for updating case notes, maintaining databases, and collaborating with colleagues to ensure ethical and efficient client representation.

Requirements

Active attorney license and good standing with a CA State Bar
At least one year’s experience practicing immigration law
Demonstrated commitment to social justice, progressive social change, empowering communities’ rights and justice
A high level of integrity and the ability to maintain confidentiality
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
Must be flexible to work early morning, evenings and Saturdays during clinical/consultations times as needed
May require some travel in and out of California

Nice To Haves

Fluency or high proficiency in the Spanish language and/or other languages
Experience in assisting noncitizens applying for a wide variety of immigration benefits and processes before USCIS and/or the Immigration Court
Engaging communication skills that can effectively and independently communicate with diverse audiences and network collaboratively among a variety of stakeholder groups
Excellent creative problem solving, strategic thinking, and analytical skills
Excellent organizational skills and strong attention to detail
Experience with providing direct services to the community, ideally in a nonprofit setting
Experience working with survivors of trauma, victims of violence, and human trafficking
Experience working with underserved and diverse populations
Ability to be comfortable in a collaborative, consultative environment
Highly self-motivated, creative, takes initiative, ability to learn quickly, flexible and able to work as part of an interdisciplinary team of legal staff
Demonstrated experience working effectively as part of a team and with colleagues of diverse backgrounds and perspectives, both in person and within a remote work environment
Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships within their team, within the legal department and throughout the organization
Demonstrated ability to be proactive in their approach to assigned responsibilities, completing tasks and/or using technology and systems to maximize efficiency
Strong commitment to CHIRLA’s mission of empowering low-income community groups

Responsibilities

Provide representation to clients with cases involving criminal history, immigration law violations, family law issues, removal proceedings, appeals, or other immigration-related matters.
Prepare, review, revise, and submit documents such as applications, motions, legal memos, briefs, petitions, or requests to USCIS and/or immigration courts.
Represent individuals before federal, state, or local courts, agencies, or tribunals.
Create and communicate timelines and tasks to supervisors, colleagues, and subordinate staff, and inform clients of these timelines.
Work effectively under pressure with urgent deadlines.
Research and analyze complex legal matters and assume responsibility for case outcomes.
Screen potential clients for all available immigration benefits and assess their ability to obtain them.
Communicate case assessments, rights, requirements, and deadlines to potential clients.
Stay up-to-date with changes in immigration law and related developments.
Make appropriate referrals for legal services beyond the program's scope or one's own competencies, and for other social service needs.
Assume caseloads of departing staff members as needed.
Review applications and documents prepared by subordinate staff before submission.
Provide coaching and mentorship to colleagues and subordinate staff.
Communicate and interact with clients with professionalism, respect, compassion, and sensitivity.
Maintain regular communication with clients and provide case updates no later than 90 days after the last update.
Respond to client communications or inquiries within 48-72 hours.
Participate in legal screening events, community presentations, and other special events, including monthly Saturday Legal Triage events.
Update case notes within 48-72 hours of client interactions.
Update and maintain all current databases, tracking sheets, or other documents mandated by policies and procedures.
Work closely with staff to represent clients ethically and efficiently.
Perform other duties as necessary to address urgent issues or priorities.