Laaconline
Staff Attorney – Immigration Unit (Remote/Hybrid)
Laaconline, Costa Mesa, California, United States, 92626
About Public Law CenterFounded in 1981, The Public Law Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing free legal services to low income residents and other nonprofits in Orange County. Last year, Public Law Center staff and volunteers provided over 65,000 hours of free legal services in handling over 4,500 cases benefiting low-income children, adults and seniors. The estimated value of this work is roughly $60 million in just the past three years. Our services include counseling, individual representation, community education and strategic policy advocacy and impact litigation to challenge societal injustices.About the roleThe Public Law Center (PLC)’s Immigration Unit is seeking an energetic, passionate advocate to join our team in fighting for justice for Orange County’s immigrant communities through innovative, collaborative, community-centered lawyering.PLC’s Immigration Unit provides fearless direct legal representation to, in addition to coordinating and supervising pro bono representation for, survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, sexual assault, persecution and other crimes (U Visas, T Visas, VAWA, asylum, and adjustment of status); children who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected (Special Immigrant Juvenile Status); young people who arrived as children (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals); lawful permanent residents seeking U.S. Citizenship (naturalization); and for immigrants in Immigration Court proceedings (both detained and non-detained removal defense).What you'll do
Handle a full caseload of immigration cases, including removal defense and affirmative relief
Participate in collaborative advocacy efforts in coalition with other legal service providers and community partners
Oversee volunteer pro bono attorneys and law students through training, technical support, and general supervision
Participate in immigration legal clinics, workshops, and community education presentations (may include occasional evening or weekend work)
Opportunities to participate in organizational committees, including Wellness Committee, DEI Committee, Technical Committee, Staff Appreciation Committee, Law Student Recruitment Committee, or other special projects
Represent PLC at legal networking and community outreach events
Full-time position. Hybrid work schedule requiring 2 days per week in the office
Qualifications
Active membership in the California State Bar/Bar Membership pending or eligibility to practice under State Bar Multijurisdictional Practice Program
Bilingual English/Spanish or other language strongly preferred
1-3 years’ experience in immigration law preferred, including case preparation, client interviewing, and client representation before USCIS and/or EOIR
Demonstrated commitment to working with immigrant communities
Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to communicate with a variety of audiences
Ability to manage multiple tasks, and work independently and as part of a team
Must have own transportation, valid CA Driver’s License, insurance, and good driving record; travel throughout Orange County and neighboring counties will be necessary, including to courts located in Santa Ana, Orange, Costa Mesa, Los Angeles, and Adelanto, CA
Salary & Benefits
Compensation dependent on experience; range of $70,000 to $86,000
Competitive benefits provided, and for this position include:
Health, Dental, Vision, Disability, and Life Insurance (100% of employee premium costs paid by PLC, and 50% of dependent health insurance premium costs paid by PLC)
Flexible Spending Account Program to help pay for medical expenses and childcare costs
15 paid holidays per year
Approximately 1 paid week off during office winter closure (between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day)
21 paid sick days per year
15 paid vacation days per year
2 paid wellness days per month to promote mental wellness and general wellbeing
Birthday paid time off (2 hours of paid time off during birthday month)
403b retirement plan (after 6 months of employment PLC provides a matching contribution equaling 100% of salary deferral up to a maximum of 3-4%, depending on length of employment)
Monthly $55 stipend for Wi-Fi and cell phone use
Monthly Bilingual Pay Premium upon successful completion of an oral and/or written test ($50 for oral premium and $50 for written premium)
Optional monthly peer support group facilitated by third party mental health clinic
Opportunities for growth and advancement
Next StepsApplicants progressing to the later stages of the interview process will be required to submit a writing sample to demonstrate their communication skills and expertise.#J-18808-Ljbffr
Handle a full caseload of immigration cases, including removal defense and affirmative relief
Participate in collaborative advocacy efforts in coalition with other legal service providers and community partners
Oversee volunteer pro bono attorneys and law students through training, technical support, and general supervision
Participate in immigration legal clinics, workshops, and community education presentations (may include occasional evening or weekend work)
Opportunities to participate in organizational committees, including Wellness Committee, DEI Committee, Technical Committee, Staff Appreciation Committee, Law Student Recruitment Committee, or other special projects
Represent PLC at legal networking and community outreach events
Full-time position. Hybrid work schedule requiring 2 days per week in the office
Qualifications
Active membership in the California State Bar/Bar Membership pending or eligibility to practice under State Bar Multijurisdictional Practice Program
Bilingual English/Spanish or other language strongly preferred
1-3 years’ experience in immigration law preferred, including case preparation, client interviewing, and client representation before USCIS and/or EOIR
Demonstrated commitment to working with immigrant communities
Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to communicate with a variety of audiences
Ability to manage multiple tasks, and work independently and as part of a team
Must have own transportation, valid CA Driver’s License, insurance, and good driving record; travel throughout Orange County and neighboring counties will be necessary, including to courts located in Santa Ana, Orange, Costa Mesa, Los Angeles, and Adelanto, CA
Salary & Benefits
Compensation dependent on experience; range of $70,000 to $86,000
Competitive benefits provided, and for this position include:
Health, Dental, Vision, Disability, and Life Insurance (100% of employee premium costs paid by PLC, and 50% of dependent health insurance premium costs paid by PLC)
Flexible Spending Account Program to help pay for medical expenses and childcare costs
15 paid holidays per year
Approximately 1 paid week off during office winter closure (between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day)
21 paid sick days per year
15 paid vacation days per year
2 paid wellness days per month to promote mental wellness and general wellbeing
Birthday paid time off (2 hours of paid time off during birthday month)
403b retirement plan (after 6 months of employment PLC provides a matching contribution equaling 100% of salary deferral up to a maximum of 3-4%, depending on length of employment)
Monthly $55 stipend for Wi-Fi and cell phone use
Monthly Bilingual Pay Premium upon successful completion of an oral and/or written test ($50 for oral premium and $50 for written premium)
Optional monthly peer support group facilitated by third party mental health clinic
Opportunities for growth and advancement
Next StepsApplicants progressing to the later stages of the interview process will be required to submit a writing sample to demonstrate their communication skills and expertise.#J-18808-Ljbffr