Staff Attorney

ASIAN AMERICANS ADVANCING JUSTICE SOUTHERN CA•Anaheim, CA

9d•$68,640 - $125,500•Hybrid

About The Position

We are looking for a Staff Attorney to join our team in Orange County! WHO WE ARE Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL) is the nation’s largest legal and civil rights organization that advocates for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs). Founded in 1983, AJSOCAL supports over 15,000 individuals and organizations annually. AJSOCAL offers free legal help, engages in impact litigation, and advocates for policy change. Our services are open to individuals of all races and ethnicities, without restriction. AJSOCAL strives to be a champion for the most vulnerable members of the AAPI communities, while advancing civil rights and social justice for everyone. Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California offices are located in downtown Los Angeles and Orange County, with presence in Sacramento, ensuring accessibility for all. With our Advancing Justice affiliates in Atlanta, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., we enrich, enhance, and serve our communities all across the country. We provide supportive services for individuals wanting to start the immigration process through Family-Based Immigration, Asylum, Temporary Protected Status, the Violence Against Women Act, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, T-Visa, and U-Visa. We also offer free citizenship workshops and resources to help you on your naturalization journey. Beyond immigration, we also lead community-centered initiatives such as the Asian Language Legal Intake Project (ALLIP), the Survivor and Family Empowerment (SAFE) Project, the Housing Preservation (HP) Program, and our Health Access Project (HAP). In addition, our Demographic Research Project (DRP) and Community Engagement (CE) teams drive data-informed strategies and grassroots partnerships that deepen our impact across Southern California. Our Impact Litigation Team looks to create systemic change for our communities, while our Policy Team continues to shape laws and local practices that impact millions of Asian American and immigrant families across California. WHAT WE BRING The special opportunity to join a mission driven team Flexible, hybrid work schedules Rich medical, dental and vision benefits Retirement options through 403B and match WHO YOU ARE You share our mission of advocacy for Asian Pacific Americans. You enjoy the thrill of serving the public interest while championing civil rights and social justice. You take pride in your work enriching lives and communities in Los Angeles and across the country. You are looking for your next role in an organization that supports your career as much as you support the organization and its goals. You are looking for a job where you make a difference, and your impact is directly proportional to your contribution. You are a game changer. You are a leader. You are an advocate. ABOUT THE ROLE Under the direction of the Program Director, the Staff Attorney is responsible for performing client counseling and legal representation duties. The Staff Attorney meets with and advises clients of immigrant legal rights and issues, conducts legal research and writing, prepares court forms, prepares immigration applications, and performs other legal duties. The Staff Attorney works directly on a variety of immigration cases, including relief for survivors (VAWA, U & T Visas), and Asylum (Affirmative & Defensive), Adjustment of Status, Family Based petitions, DACA, Naturalization, and Removal Defense. The Staff Attorney represents clients before USCIS, the Executive Office of Immigration Review, and Board of Immigration Appeals. The Staff Attorney provides technical support and capacity building to other nonprofit organizations on immigration and may be required to staff evening and weekend workshops and events. In addition, the Staff Attorney conducts immigration trainings, community outreach and education to local organizations and other partners. This is a fixed term position and IS covered under the Collective Bargaining Unit.

Requirements

J.D. and active membership in any State Bar
Minimum 1-3 years of immigration experience, including immigration court experience, with experience working with victims of crimes and removal proceedings
Experience assisting immigrant, limited English speaking and/or low-income clients
Excellent legal writing, speaking, and organizational skills
Ability to communicate effectively with clients
Must be able to work in a team setting
Must be self-motivated with the ability to work independently
Availability and willingness to regularly travel within the county and state
Access to reliable means of transportation required

Nice To Haves

Experience appearing in immigration court preferred
Experience or familiarity with AANHPI community preferred
Bilingual fluency in an AANHPI language strongly preferred
Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends

Responsibilities

Provide direct application assistance with immigration cases
Undertake administrative and logistical duties related to direct application assistance
Conduct legal review of immigration cases
Provide legal representation for diverse clients with immigration cases before USCIS, Immigration Court, and BIA
Maintain an active caseload to meet project deliverables
Travel to USCIS Field Offices, detention centers, and immigration court to represent clients in immigration matters
Organize and implement various immigration trainings to staff and community partners
Work with intake staff to review and approve appointments, provide immigration legal consultations, answer immigration related questions and review documents
Provide technical assistance, legal review, and/or coordination support of workshops and clinics
Help develop and execute community outreach strategies for the Immigration Services Program, including how to inform appropriate responses to community needs and requests
Conduct outreach engagements with local community-based organizations and partners to present information sessions on Immigration, Naturalization, and Immigrant Rights
Other duties as assigned