ABOUT THE POSITION
LSC seeks an immigration attorney who is bilingual in English and Spanish to represent children in immigration proceedings. Our immigration clients are primarily monolingual Spanish speakers, and also include Central American and Mexican indigenous youth as well as youth of African descent. Applicants awaiting bar results or planning to take the July 2023 California bar exam will be considered.
Key areas of responsibilities include:
Conducting legal screenings, client interviews, and factual and legal investigations, counseling clients, developing case strategies and case plans, and engaging in oral and written advocacy as part of representing children in immigration matters (primarily Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, Asylum, T and U visa cases)
Representing non-detained youth in Immigration Court proceedings and related state court matters (probate guardianship and dependency as needed), as well as applications before U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) and cases before Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA)
Engaging in advocacy efforts on behalf of children, including conducting community presentations for children, families, schools, and community organizations
Representing LSC in local and national coalitions and collaboratives as needed
This position is in a bargaining unit represented by IFPTE Local 20.
SALARY & BENEFITS
Salary is commensurate with experience, ranging from $71,500-79,500 (Staff Attorney, 0-4 years) or $86,500-96,500 (Senior Staff Attorney, 5-10 years). A one-time signing bonus after hire is available for this position. Benefits include fully paid health insurance for employees and majority paid for child dependents (medical, dental, and vision) or a stipend for staff with existing insurance coverage, retirement contribution, and generous paid leave (vacation, sick, holidays, and sabbatical every 4 years). LSC also offers a monthly tech reimbursement, a flexible spending account for qualified health and dependent care expenditures, and a pre-tax commuter and parking program.
Required Qualifications:
Current bar membership in good standing preferred. Applicants awaiting bar results or planning to take the July 2023 California bar exam will be considered.
Fluency in English and Spanish required
Excellent research, analytical, writing and verbal communication skills
A strong commitment to the rights of youth
Ability to respond quickly and efficiently to the demands and deadlines of a fast-paced caseload
Well-organized, motivated, creative, and independent, yet also able to work cooperatively in an interdisciplinary team-oriented environment
Commitment to providing services with cultural humility and with an approach that values all individuals and respects differences regarding race, ethnicity, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, ability, socio-economic circumstance, immigration status, and record of arrest or conviction
Must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including at least one booster
Desired Qualifications:
Prior experience in the practice of immigration law
Experience working with children who have experienced trauma
Ability to work efficiently and effectively under pressure and in crisis situations
This position will be eligible for a “hybrid” model in which the person can work some of the time outside of the office. This position is based in San Francisco and requires presence in the area with the ability to come to the office and other locations in the Bay Area.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Please send cover letter, resume and contact information for three references to [email protected] with “Immigration Staff Attorney” in the subject line. In your cover letter, please address the following in order for your application to be considered:
LSC’s clientele is extremely diverse, and the majority of our clients are low income youth of color. To ensure that our agency is best serving these children, LSC strives to promote an evolving set of behaviors and attitudes amongst our staff, as well as policies that enable us to work effectively in all cross-cultural situations, with clients, with our coworkers, and with the community. We see this as a commitment to enhance the provision of our services to all clients; to raise the level of positive client outcomes; and to create an inclusive and respectful workplace in which differences are acknowledged and valued. How do you think your personal background or experiences, professional or otherwise, have prepared you to contribute to our commitment to cultural humility and diversity amongst our staff? Feel free to think broadly about your response to this question, applying various aspects of your life and personal experiences.