Supervising Attorney

Direct legal representation of low-income noncitizens in affirmative and defensive forms of immigration relief; community education and outreach to immigrant communities; supervision of LIJC support staff, teaching, training and supervising students engaged in immigration work on behalf of the Loyola Immigrant Justice Clinic, and grant management.

The Loyola Immigrant Justice Clinic (LIJC) is a community-based collaboration of Loyola Law School Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University, Homeboy Industries Inc., and Dolores Mission Church. LIJC’s dual-pronged mission is to advance the rights of the low-income immigrant population in East Los Angeles through direct legal services, education, and community empowerment, while teaching law students effective immigrants’ rights lawyering skills in a real-world setting. LIJC focuses on providing representation to individuals who are unable to obtain immigration legal services elsewhere who reside in the Los Angeles and surrounding area.

Position Specific Responsibilities/Accountabilities

Caseload. Provide legal consultations and assistance to those seeking humanitarian forms of relief, such as: DACA, Asylum, SIJS, VAWA, T and U visas as well as naturalizations. Provide direct representation to clients before state and immigration courts and associated administrative agencies such as the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). Conduct thorough, continuing, and independent investigations and interviews at every stage of the proceedings on behalf of their clients. File pleadings, motions, responses, or objections as necessary on behalf of their client.

Engage in and supervise bi-monthly community intake clinics at our partner sites and participate in LIJC’s community advocacy efforts, as well as collaborate with government agencies and officials and other non-profit service providers. The attorney will work under the supervision of LIJC’s Director of Community Legal Services.

Establish and maintain an attorney-client relationship with clients.

Teaching, training and supervision of students engaged in work on behalf of LIJC in collaboration with LIJC’s full-time legal staff, based on established clinical pedagogy that encourages students to deliver client-centered, culturally competent legal representation through the deliberative mentorship of supervising clinical attorneys.

Grant management responsibilities.

Perform other related duties as assigned or requested.

Loyola Marymount University Expectations

Exhibit behavior that supports the mission, vision, and values of the university. Communicate and employ interpersonal actions that model high standards of professional, responsible, accountable, and ethical conduct. Demonstrate a commitment to outstanding customer service.

Requisite Qualifications

• Juris Doctor Degree and member in good standing with the California State Bar.
• A minimum of five years’ experience practicing immigration law (will consider law school clinical experience). Post-conviction, criminal, or other court litigation experience or training is valued and strongly preferred.
• Must have strong case management, legal research, and writing skills. Must be able to work with a diverse group of constituencies from different culture, geographic and economic backgrounds, including individuals with criminal history and history of severe trauma. Ability to work collaboratively and handle multiple demands in a busy work environment. Maintain a high level of confidentiality and discretion.
• Motivated to teach and supervise law students in a law school clinical community, develop curriculum and teaching methods responsive to emerging trends and needs in immigration law, and eagerness to collaborate and share strategies and innovations with clinic colleagues.
• Demonstrated computer competency and knowledgeable of Microsoft Office systems.
• Spanish fluency is strongly preferred.

The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of this position.