Money Fit by DRS
Staff Attorney (Immigration / Spanish Language for Lawyers)
Money Fit by DRS, Santa Ana, California, United States, 92725
Immigrant Defenders Law Center (“ImmDef”) is a next-generation, social justice law firm that provides high-quality representation and legal services to immigrants in Southern California and beyond. ImmDef was founded with the belief that no immigrant should be forced to face an unjust immigration system alone and our universal representation programs are a first step towards that goal. Learn more about us at
www.immdef.org .
ImmDef represents thousands of adults, children and families annually who have multi-faceted, complex and urgent legal needs as they face our unjust immigration system. Our attorneys work collaboratively within our team of staff including managing and directing attorneys, paralegals, administrative support staff and case managers to provide client-centered, holistic representation. This is a rewarding and exciting position where the successful applicant will be engaged in cutting edge immigration litigation for unaccompanied minor clients with an overarching organizational goal of fighting for a more just immigration system.
ImmDef Spanish Language for Lawyers ProjectImmDef is currently seeking to hire for our third cohort of full-time staff attorneys for our
Spanish Language for Lawyers Project , specifically designed to help attorneys achieve working proficiency in the Spanish Language. Attorneys will participate in professional Spanish language and conversation classes on-site in Los Angeles and online during work hours. Ongoing language support, including tutoring, interpretation services, and opportunities to practice Spanish conversation skills, will continue for at least the first year of employment.
Applicants are required to commit to gaining working proficiency in Spanish within the first year of employment.
Attorneys may be based in the
Los Angeles, Santa Ana, or Riverside
office. Attorneys based in Santa Ana or Riverside will be required to commute to Los Angeles for in-person classes twice per week for a three-month period (mileage will be reimbursed).
Applicants should plan to onboard by no later than
September 9, 2024
because Spanish classes are anticipated to begin the second week of September.
This is a unique opportunity to learn Spanish on the job at the largest non-profit, universal representation model deportation defense team in the state of California.
Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:Staff attorneys will be assigned to the Children's Representation Project, focused on representing unaccompanied children (detained in government custody and released to sponsors).Attorneys prioritize and regularly attend in-person and virtual Spanish classes, approaching Spanish learning with the same commitment and professionalism as expected with client representation.Attorneys provide high-quality, client-centered representation for clients facing deportation proceedings;Determine eligibility for legal relief and develop legal strategy case plans, with a particular focus on forms of relief for children (special immigrant juvenile status, asylum, visas for victims of crimes and trafficking, and family-based petitions);Travel to shelters for unaccompanied children, ICE detention centers and other custodial settings to interview and prepare clients, take declarations, complete immigration benefit applications and provide legal advice;Represent individuals in court at initial or prolonged custody redetermination hearings, master calendar hearings, individual merits hearings and in ancillary state court proceedings;Represent clients before USCIS at asylum interviews, credible fear interviews, ICE check-ins and other immigration related appointments;Prepare and submit country conditions, declarations and other supporting evidence for applications to defend clients against removal;Work with country conditions experts, expert witnesses, psychologists and medical professionals to develop supporting evidence for immigration relief applications;Work collaboratively with colleagues and participate in weekly group case review, on-site trainings and provide supervision for support staff’s legal work;Support ImmDef’s overall mission by working closely with colleagues and ImmDef leadership on various initiatives through community engagement, peer mentoring and event participation.
Juris Doctorate (JD) degree;Active California State Bar License or licensure from another U.S. jurisdiction and, if required, willingness to 'waive into' the CA Bar via the Multi-Jurisdictional Practice Program;Strong case management, legal research, and legal writing skills;Willingness to zealously pursue new and untested legal theories;Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work under pressure;Commitment to working in a diverse professional environment.Passion for social justice for immigrants required;Commitment to learning Spanish required.
Preferred Qualifications:Experience with the following forms of immigration cases is helpful: asylum/WOR/CAT, special immigrant juvenile status (child custody/family court/guardianship), cancellation, waivers, adjustment of status, immigration consequences of criminal convictions, bond, humanitarian parole, post-conviction relief, habeas petitions, BIA appeals, motions to reopen, naturalization.Experience in immigration law (non-profit or private practice) is a plus, but not required as we are ready and able to provide training;Experience working with survivors is helpful, including populations that have experienced trauma, abuse and persecution;Knowledge of best practices in working with clients with mental competency issues, including those suffering from mental health challenges and children, is a plus;DACA Recipients encouraged to apply!
Language ProficiencyApplicants with fluency in multiple languages may be given priority.
Applicants who Cover Letter will be given priority. You can learn more about our programs at
www.immdef.org . Please indicate your preferred office location: Los Angeles, Santa Ana or Riverside.
We encourage all qualified applicants to apply for a position fighting for our immigrant communities!
Immigrant Defenders Law Center is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. We value diversity in the workplace and strongly encourage applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, ethnic group identification, citizenship, marital or familial status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, arrest or conviction record, or any other protected characteristic.
ImmDef will communicate via email with applicants who are invited to interview for the position.This position is part of the ImmDef employee union bargaining unit.Starting salary range for this position is $75,000 to $90,000 DOE.
Schedule:ImmDef’s standard work schedule is 35 hours per week, or 70 hours per pay period, with flexible scheduling options including hybrid and compressed schedules that allow staff to take up to one day off per week without needing to use paid time off.Hybrid Work Schedule: Staff in exempt positions at ImmDef are expected to be in the office a minimum of 3 days per week, with 2 days available to work remotely.Spanish Learning Project attorneys will be required to work 40 hours per week during the first few months when Spanish classes are being provided during work hours.
Professional Memberships:ImmDef provides attorneys with membership in the National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild (NIPNLG), the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), as well as $150 towards the professional association of their choice, and opportunities to attend conferences, trainings and seminars/webinars hosted internally and by partner organizations.ImmDef covers California Bar Dues (or the equivalent in another jurisdiction) for all attorneys. When the position requires an out-of-state attorney to apply to the Multi-Jurisdictional Practice Program, ImmDef will also cover the initial application fee.
Holidays and Paid Time Off:13 paid holidays1-Week paid winter break between Christmas and New Years15 vacation days per year15 Sick Days per year
Health, Dental and Vision Insurance:ImmDef provides health coverage on the first of the month following 30 days on the job.We cover 100% of premiums for our base dental and vision plans for our staff members and 75% of base plan dental and vision premiums for their dependents. ImmDef also covers 98% of the base plan medical premiums for our staff and 73% of the base plan medical premiums for their dependents.
FSA and Dependent Care FSA:ImmDef offers FSA plans to help offset the costs of eligible health care expenses for you, your spouse, and your eligible dependents using pre-tax dollarsWe also offer Dependent Care FSA to pay for eligible dependent care services, such as preschool, summer day camp, before or after school programs, and child or adult daycare.Eligible for Parental Leave which includes six (6) weeks of ImmDef paid leave.
401(k) Retirement Savings Plan & Employer Matching:ImmDef staff are eligible to enroll in our 401(k) plans immediately upon hire, contributing pre-tax dollars towards their retirement goalsAfter six months on staff, ImmDef will match 100% of contributions up to 3% of the employee’s salary
Public Service Loan Forgiveness:As a 501(c)3, full-time ImmDef staff with qualifying student loans are eligible for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness
Parking and Public Transportation Stipends:Staff members assigned to an office without free on-site parking are eligible to receive a parking stipend of up to $105 per month in actual accrued parking or transportation costs.Staff in all offices are eligible to receive a public transportation stipend of up to $100 per month in actual accrued public transportation costs.Funds are paid directly into a pre-tax Commuter Benefits Account.
Cell Phone Stipends:ImmDef provides a $15 monthly cell phone stipend to staff members whose job duties require them to consistently work at sites outside of ImmDef offices, or travel between ImmDef worksites, and whose jobs require use of their personal cell phones or communications that cannot be accomplished with ImmDef-issued equipment.
Relocation Assistance for out-of-state new hires
may be
available for attorney positions.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
www.immdef.org .
ImmDef represents thousands of adults, children and families annually who have multi-faceted, complex and urgent legal needs as they face our unjust immigration system. Our attorneys work collaboratively within our team of staff including managing and directing attorneys, paralegals, administrative support staff and case managers to provide client-centered, holistic representation. This is a rewarding and exciting position where the successful applicant will be engaged in cutting edge immigration litigation for unaccompanied minor clients with an overarching organizational goal of fighting for a more just immigration system.
ImmDef Spanish Language for Lawyers ProjectImmDef is currently seeking to hire for our third cohort of full-time staff attorneys for our
Spanish Language for Lawyers Project , specifically designed to help attorneys achieve working proficiency in the Spanish Language. Attorneys will participate in professional Spanish language and conversation classes on-site in Los Angeles and online during work hours. Ongoing language support, including tutoring, interpretation services, and opportunities to practice Spanish conversation skills, will continue for at least the first year of employment.
Applicants are required to commit to gaining working proficiency in Spanish within the first year of employment.
Attorneys may be based in the
Los Angeles, Santa Ana, or Riverside
office. Attorneys based in Santa Ana or Riverside will be required to commute to Los Angeles for in-person classes twice per week for a three-month period (mileage will be reimbursed).
Applicants should plan to onboard by no later than
September 9, 2024
because Spanish classes are anticipated to begin the second week of September.
This is a unique opportunity to learn Spanish on the job at the largest non-profit, universal representation model deportation defense team in the state of California.
Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:Staff attorneys will be assigned to the Children's Representation Project, focused on representing unaccompanied children (detained in government custody and released to sponsors).Attorneys prioritize and regularly attend in-person and virtual Spanish classes, approaching Spanish learning with the same commitment and professionalism as expected with client representation.Attorneys provide high-quality, client-centered representation for clients facing deportation proceedings;Determine eligibility for legal relief and develop legal strategy case plans, with a particular focus on forms of relief for children (special immigrant juvenile status, asylum, visas for victims of crimes and trafficking, and family-based petitions);Travel to shelters for unaccompanied children, ICE detention centers and other custodial settings to interview and prepare clients, take declarations, complete immigration benefit applications and provide legal advice;Represent individuals in court at initial or prolonged custody redetermination hearings, master calendar hearings, individual merits hearings and in ancillary state court proceedings;Represent clients before USCIS at asylum interviews, credible fear interviews, ICE check-ins and other immigration related appointments;Prepare and submit country conditions, declarations and other supporting evidence for applications to defend clients against removal;Work with country conditions experts, expert witnesses, psychologists and medical professionals to develop supporting evidence for immigration relief applications;Work collaboratively with colleagues and participate in weekly group case review, on-site trainings and provide supervision for support staff’s legal work;Support ImmDef’s overall mission by working closely with colleagues and ImmDef leadership on various initiatives through community engagement, peer mentoring and event participation.
Juris Doctorate (JD) degree;Active California State Bar License or licensure from another U.S. jurisdiction and, if required, willingness to 'waive into' the CA Bar via the Multi-Jurisdictional Practice Program;Strong case management, legal research, and legal writing skills;Willingness to zealously pursue new and untested legal theories;Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work under pressure;Commitment to working in a diverse professional environment.Passion for social justice for immigrants required;Commitment to learning Spanish required.
Preferred Qualifications:Experience with the following forms of immigration cases is helpful: asylum/WOR/CAT, special immigrant juvenile status (child custody/family court/guardianship), cancellation, waivers, adjustment of status, immigration consequences of criminal convictions, bond, humanitarian parole, post-conviction relief, habeas petitions, BIA appeals, motions to reopen, naturalization.Experience in immigration law (non-profit or private practice) is a plus, but not required as we are ready and able to provide training;Experience working with survivors is helpful, including populations that have experienced trauma, abuse and persecution;Knowledge of best practices in working with clients with mental competency issues, including those suffering from mental health challenges and children, is a plus;DACA Recipients encouraged to apply!
Language ProficiencyApplicants with fluency in multiple languages may be given priority.
Applicants who Cover Letter will be given priority. You can learn more about our programs at
www.immdef.org . Please indicate your preferred office location: Los Angeles, Santa Ana or Riverside.
We encourage all qualified applicants to apply for a position fighting for our immigrant communities!
Immigrant Defenders Law Center is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. We value diversity in the workplace and strongly encourage applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, ethnic group identification, citizenship, marital or familial status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, arrest or conviction record, or any other protected characteristic.
ImmDef will communicate via email with applicants who are invited to interview for the position.This position is part of the ImmDef employee union bargaining unit.Starting salary range for this position is $75,000 to $90,000 DOE.
Schedule:ImmDef’s standard work schedule is 35 hours per week, or 70 hours per pay period, with flexible scheduling options including hybrid and compressed schedules that allow staff to take up to one day off per week without needing to use paid time off.Hybrid Work Schedule: Staff in exempt positions at ImmDef are expected to be in the office a minimum of 3 days per week, with 2 days available to work remotely.Spanish Learning Project attorneys will be required to work 40 hours per week during the first few months when Spanish classes are being provided during work hours.
Professional Memberships:ImmDef provides attorneys with membership in the National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild (NIPNLG), the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), as well as $150 towards the professional association of their choice, and opportunities to attend conferences, trainings and seminars/webinars hosted internally and by partner organizations.ImmDef covers California Bar Dues (or the equivalent in another jurisdiction) for all attorneys. When the position requires an out-of-state attorney to apply to the Multi-Jurisdictional Practice Program, ImmDef will also cover the initial application fee.
Holidays and Paid Time Off:13 paid holidays1-Week paid winter break between Christmas and New Years15 vacation days per year15 Sick Days per year
Health, Dental and Vision Insurance:ImmDef provides health coverage on the first of the month following 30 days on the job.We cover 100% of premiums for our base dental and vision plans for our staff members and 75% of base plan dental and vision premiums for their dependents. ImmDef also covers 98% of the base plan medical premiums for our staff and 73% of the base plan medical premiums for their dependents.
FSA and Dependent Care FSA:ImmDef offers FSA plans to help offset the costs of eligible health care expenses for you, your spouse, and your eligible dependents using pre-tax dollarsWe also offer Dependent Care FSA to pay for eligible dependent care services, such as preschool, summer day camp, before or after school programs, and child or adult daycare.Eligible for Parental Leave which includes six (6) weeks of ImmDef paid leave.
401(k) Retirement Savings Plan & Employer Matching:ImmDef staff are eligible to enroll in our 401(k) plans immediately upon hire, contributing pre-tax dollars towards their retirement goalsAfter six months on staff, ImmDef will match 100% of contributions up to 3% of the employee’s salary
Public Service Loan Forgiveness:As a 501(c)3, full-time ImmDef staff with qualifying student loans are eligible for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness
Parking and Public Transportation Stipends:Staff members assigned to an office without free on-site parking are eligible to receive a parking stipend of up to $105 per month in actual accrued parking or transportation costs.Staff in all offices are eligible to receive a public transportation stipend of up to $100 per month in actual accrued public transportation costs.Funds are paid directly into a pre-tax Commuter Benefits Account.
Cell Phone Stipends:ImmDef provides a $15 monthly cell phone stipend to staff members whose job duties require them to consistently work at sites outside of ImmDef offices, or travel between ImmDef worksites, and whose jobs require use of their personal cell phones or communications that cannot be accomplished with ImmDef-issued equipment.
Relocation Assistance for out-of-state new hires
may be
available for attorney positions.
#J-18808-Ljbffr