Supervising Attorney

UFW Foundation • Bakersfield, CA

1d • $85,000 - $105,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The UFW Foundation is seeking a Supervising Attorney to manage a caseload of affirmative relief and removal defense work, and to build and lead a regional team of attorneys, accredited representatives, legal assistants, and fellows. This role involves direct legal services, team supervision and development, and contributing to the organization's mission of ensuring farm workers and immigrants can live and work with dignity, safety, and respect. The position is hybrid, requiring 2-3 days onsite per week, with the remainder remote, and may involve evening and weekend availability for community events, as well as regular travel for court hearings and other professional activities.

Requirements

• Minimum 3 years of experience practicing immigration law, including direct representation before USCIS, EOIR, or California state courts.
• Licensed attorney in good standing in any U.S. state, or a J.D. with bar results pending (California bar preferred, not required).
• Minimum 1 year of experience supervising, mentoring, or formally training attorneys, accredited representatives, or legal staff.
• Functional bilingual proficiency in Spanish and English, sufficient to conduct a client intake or explain legal options directly without an interpreter.
• Valid driver's license and reliable vehicle access for regional travel.

Nice To Haves

• Working knowledge of core immigration relief categories at a level sufficient to review and correct another attorney's work product.
• Experience in identifying case trends and translating them into advocacy or program recommendations.
• Additional language ability, including indigenous languages.
• Experience delivering Know Your Rights presentations or other community legal education.

Responsibilities

• Manage an active caseload across affirmative relief and removal defense: naturalization, DACA renewal, family-based petitions, adjustment of status, asylum, withholding, and CAT relief, VAWA, U and T visas, SIJS, and Cancellation of Removal.
• Represent adults, families, and children, including unaccompanied children, before USCIS, EOIR, California state courts, and federal district courts, including bond hearings and full removal defense.
• Conduct client intake, draft pleadings and applications for relief, and maintain timely, accurate case records.
• Deliver Know Your Rights presentations and community college outreach as part of your assigned campus and community lawyering work.
• Supervise and mentor a regional team of attorneys, DOJ-accredited representatives, legal assistants, and fellows, reviewing work product before filing.
• Distribute and monitor caseload across the team, holding a consistent quality and compliance bar.
• Identify patterns across cases, such as shifts in DHS practice, and translate them into advocacy or program adjustments.
• Recruit, coordinate, and oversee pro bono and low-bono attorney support.
• Foster an inclusive, accountable team culture and coordinate with your Directing Attorney and fellow supervisors.

Benefits

• Salary: $85,000–$105,000 annually, depending on experience, with yearly increases tied to individual, team, and organizational performance.
• Health coverage: medical, dental, and vision, with the majority of premiums paid by UFW Foundation and pre-tax.
• Retirement: the Juan de la Cruz Pension Plan (automatic enrollment, guaranteed 6.5% interest), a 403(b) with a 2% dollar-for-dollar match after 90 days, providing employees contribute a minimum of 2% of their annual salary, and a Fidelity 401(k) available from your date of hire.
• Time off: 2–4 weeks of vacation depending on tenure, 16 paid holidays including a floating personal day, 6 paid sick days, 1 mental health day, and 5 days of bereavement leave per immediate family member.
• Support: a no-cost Employee Assistance Program, free access to thousands of professional development courses, and a 20% discount on immigration services for you and your family.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior