Legal Aid Society of San Diego (LASSD) – Staff Attorney – Immigration

Company IntroLegal Aid Society of San Diego (LASSD) is the largest poverty law firm serving San Diego County and is an employer of choice.LASSD strengthens our communities by resolving our clients’ legal problems and empowering access to and effective participation with legal, governmental, and social systems.LASSD encourages self-empowerment in the fight against poverty and injustice. Our staff are proudly committed to providing equal access to justice for San Diegans through aggressive, quality legal services.#JusticeBeginsHereJob Description/DutiesJob Title: Immigration Staff AttorneyPosition SummaryDemonstrated capacity to maintain a large caseload which may include: Interviewing prospective clients; analyzing their legal problems; rendering legal advice; negotiation with opposing parties and agencies; preparing and submitting filings for clients; representing clients in various phases of litigation; attending community meetings; developing positive relationships with client communities; developing complex litigation; finding solutions to broader client problems through litigation or otherwise; policy development or other strategies.Essential Functions:Interviewing prospective clients; rendering legal advice; preparing legal documents; developing a caseloadRepresenting clients in all phases of administrative hearings including, but not limited to, Removal Defense at the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) court proceedings, including research, drafting pleadings and briefs, trial, and appealsPreparing affirmative filings for USCIS and accompanying clients to USCIS interviews, and filing appeals from denied applicationsAttending community meetings and developing positive relationships with the client communityAttending and engaging in community outreach and education events, assessments, and community workshopsHandling a heavy and increasingly complex caseloadAssisting in the training and supervision of advocates, law students, and volunteers as appropriateDeveloping creative methods, litigious and non-litigious, for dealing with recurring client problemsComplying with all program and grant requirementsJob CriteriaQualifications:Must be a member in good standing with the bar and eligible to practice in the highest court of any state, possession, territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or the District of ColumbiaFluency in written and spoken SpanishAbility to work independently as well as support team efforts, and to strategize and plan so as to timely and consistently meet grant deliverables and reporting requirementsMust have reliable form of transportationDesired Knowledge, Skills, and AbilitiesExperience in and knowledge of Immigration LawsMember of the Federal BarAdmitted and in good standing with the California State BarDemonstrated commitment to serving low-income peopleAbility to work successfully with people from diverse backgroundsSalary and Benefits:The Immigration Staff Attorney position is a salaried position with a salary range of $75,000 - $112,500. The starting salary is $75,000. In addition, there is a bilingual pay increase of 2% for passing an oral test and 2% for passing a written test for threshold languages other than English.LASSD offers a generous benefits package, a 35-hour workweek, paid vacation leave and sick leave and 100% employer-paid medical premium, 50% employer-paid premium for dependents under LASSD health plan, as well as dental, vision, and life benefits. Staff also have the option to participate in a 403(b)-retirement plan and dependent and health flex savings accounts (FSA). LASSD has its own law school loan repayment program and is an eligible nonprofit employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.Hybrid Work Environment:Legal Aid Society of San Diego (“LASSD”) has adopted a hybrid work environment in which most staff are required to work in the office part of the week and permitted to work remotely for the remainder of the week, provided their job duties allow. All employees are issued LASSD computers and provided with appropriate supplies to perform their work. LASSD has implemented and continues to explore additional technologies to make our hybrid working environment as efficient and connected as possible. All employees must be available to travel to LASSD offices and service locations throughout San Diego County as needed and in compliance with public health advisories. Applicants must reside in or near San Diego County or plan to relocate in or near the County prior to their start date and must be able to commute to the physical Legal Aid Society of San Diego office locations or service delivery locations within San Diego County. LASSD’s normal business hours are 9am-5pm, but we are open to providing flexible work schedules to the extent feasible for the position. LASSD reserves the right to change these policies at any time.Diversity and Inclusion:It is vitally important to LASSD that we represent the community that we serve. LASSD is a signatory to the San Diego County Bar Association’s Diversity Pledge. We pledge to promote diversity and inclusion through hiring and retention, promotion and leadership, engagement of outside counsel, and participation in legal community diversity initiatives. We strongly encourage applicants of diverse backgrounds to apply.Salary Range/Hourly Rate75,000 - 112,500Other Benefits and PerksLASSD offers a generous benefits package, a 35-hour workweek, paid vacation leave and sick leave and 100% employer-paid medical premium, 50% employer-paid premium for dependents under LASSD health plan, as well as dental, vision, and life benefits. Staff also have the option to participate in a 403(b)-retirement plan and dependent and health flex savings accounts (FSA). LASSD has its own law school loan repayment program and is an eligible nonprofit employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.

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