Staff Attorney, affirmative immigration

Oasis Legal Services seeks a courageous advocate to represent low-income lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) clients who have been persecuted for their sexuality and gender identity and are seeking safety in the United States. The ideal candidate is self-aware, takes initiative, and is energized by providing direct representation in these challenging times. We are excited to hire someone who likes working on a diverse caseload, and is able to effectively communicate complex legal topics to clients in Spanish and English, without an interpreter or translator.

WHO WE ARE

Oasis Legal Services empowers low-income LGBTQ+ immigrants who have survived violence and persecution due to their sexuality, gender identity, and/or HIV status by increasing access to quality culturally-responsive legal representation and social services. Founded as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in May 2017, Oasis now serves more than 800 clients every year through two offices in California’s Central Valley and San Francisco Bay Area. We are proud of the work we do and our commitment to our clients. This exceptional team is known for our compassion, empathy, and deep expertise. Join us!

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to Director of Programs and Advocacy in Berkeley CA. Supervises up to two temporary or part-time legal interns at a time. Oasis Specialists are expected to manage interns, consultants, and volunteers, should be able to supervise Associates or Coordinators, and may supervise other Managers or Specialists.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Representation of LGBTQ+ Immigrants

• Directly represent LGBTQ+ clients, primarily in affirmative immigration asylum proceedings in front of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) (including asylum, adjustment of status, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), T visas, naturalization, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), family petitions, and consular processing) and in California State Court for the purposes of obtaining SIJS predicate orders.
  • When the need arises, may be asked to directly represent LGBTQ+ clients in removal proceedings in front of the Executive Office for Immigration Review, (EOIR); in credible-fear and reasonable-fear interviews and check-ins in front of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE); and in habeas proceedings in front of California District Courts.
• Interview clients about sensitive topics, and communicate complex legal concepts to clients in Spanish and English, so they understand their options, can make informed decisions, and are prepared for interviews and hearings.
• Gather information and collect evidence to inform legal research, case investigation, and strategy. Prepare immigration forms, update databases and maintain accurate records.
• Conduct legal immigration screenings for community members interested in our services. Complete administrative tasks, such as those related to grant management and reporting and client caseload management.
• Manage relationships with clients, witnesses, and experts, coordinate their efforts, and track deadlines for a large caseload of up to 15 active affirmative clients at a time (if asked to represent clients in front of EOIR or ICE or in habeas cases, affirmative caseload will be reduced accordingly). Work with the Social Services Program to make referrals for collateral issues clients are facing. Respond to inquiries in a timely manner, including from many clients whose cases have already been filed and are pending.

Legal Supervision & People Management

• Supervise the legal work of legal advocates to ensure they are providing competent legal representation to clients and managing their caseloads effectively and efficiently. This may include co-counseling cases and other inventions as needed.
• Assign legal work and administrative tasks to paralegals, legal interns, pro bono attorneys and other volunteers, for cases under your name and license, in coordination with the Affirmative Program Director, Director of Programs & Advocacy, and other colleagues responsible for managing volunteers. Review declarations, motions, and briefs, and observe intakes and hearings.
• Serve as the Oasis supervisor for up to two temporary full- or part-time legal interns at a time. Participate in weekly check-ins with these team members to provide ongoing feedback and support, and guide people in developing and executing appropriate advocacy strategies for their new and ongoing cases.
• Participate in Legal Team meetings. Support effective recruitment and orientation of Legal Team members, create the conditions for people to succeed at Oasis, support them in following Oasis policies and procedures in tandem with the Operations Team, and identify and facilitate training and other professional development opportunities.

Community Engagement & Advocacy

• Prepare and deliver training internally to Oasis colleagues, external partners and service providers on topics such as asylum law, trauma-informed representation, and serving LGBTQ+ immigrants, to increase the capacity of the legal community to serve LGBTQ+ immigrants. Develop new training content and resources as needed to help ensure materials anticipate emerging needs and reflect current law and practice.
• Engage in outreach to LGBTQ+ and immigrant communities, and speak persuasively about Oasis and our work to potential clients and to other organizations that serve them, so that all eligible community members are aware of Oasis services.
• Participate in Advocacy Team meetings and help create strategies to foster client empowerment and elevate LGBTQ+ immigrant voices.

Other Responsibilities

• Participate in staff, departmental, and team meetings, professional development activities and other required training, annual all-staff gathering, and performance review systems.
• Work collaboratively with all staff members to ensure effective, comprehensive support for clients and to coordinate best practices across teams, departments, and Oasis offices. Represent the organization internally and externally.
• All other duties assigned by their supervisor.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR (requirements)

• At least one year of experience providing immigration legal services as an attorney or a law student.
• Juris Doctor degree (J.D.), and member in good standing of a state bar and licensed to practice law in the United States.
• Proficient in both English and Spanish languages (spoken and written). Must be able to communicate to clients in Spanish and English, without an interpreter or translator.
• Facility with Google Suite, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Zoom, and macOS, with ability to learn how to navigate other platforms required for work.
• Able to communicate in person and via phone, email and video conference, to work at a computer for extended periods of time, and travel to meetings and events.
• Able to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination, or participate in an interactive process for accommodations.

Oasis Competencies – How You’ll Do the Work

• Problem-Solving & Resourcefulness: Develops project or program workplans with goals and interim milestones to manage resources, time, and people efficiently and effectively. Identifies and discusses opportunities that further Oasis' mission in collaboration with others. Demonstrates ability to effectively manage others in times of uncertainty and change.
• Communication: Shares information and decisions with staff and managers in a transparent and timely manner. Leads productive exchanges to give and receive input.
• Collaboration: Inspires team to explore various perspectives and to collaborate across departments and lines of difference to accomplish goals. Sets up strong collaboration structures and ensures roles and responsibilities are clear.
• Management: Translates project or program goals into individual responsibilities, and structures and delegates work accordingly to ensure team members understand performance expectations and deadlines are met. Provides appropriate level of day-to-day support and coaching to team members, differentiating styles based on individuals and assignments. Models accountability by publicly taking ownership for misunderstandings and missteps. Adapts approach to attend to a broad range of activities and still concentrate effort on the more important priorities.

Bonus Qualifications

• Supervisory experience.
• A demonstrated commitment to the LGBTQ+ and/or immigrant communities, such as experience working with LGBTQ+ and/or immigrant clients.
• A demonstrated ability to build and manage an extensive and demanding caseload, including excellent time-management, priority-setting, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse range of groups, including people experiencing homelessness, trauma survivors, immigrants, non-English speakers, people with mental disabilities, people experiencing domestic violence, law students, government agencies, service providers, and community partners.
• Strong interpersonal skills, flexibility, and demonstrated ability to work well independently and as part of a team.
• Familiarity with working with clients in crisis or who are recent trauma survivors.
• Language proficiency in Amharic, Arabic, French, Mandarin, Portuguese, and/or Tigrinya, in addition to English and Spanish.

OTHER DETAILS

This is an exempt, full-time role (35 hours per week, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) based at the Oasis Legal Services office in Berkeley CA, with the option to work from home up to two days per week. The work schedule is subject to change based on programmatic needs, and working some evenings, weekends or holidays may be required. Candidates must be located in the San Francisco Bay Area, and able to work in a shared-office environment where there may be ambient noise and overheard conversations. Occasional travel may be required.

Oasis Legal Services is committed to creating an inclusive work environment for a highly-qualified staff that is diverse across many dimensions. Candidates who identify as LGBTQ+, immigrants, Black, Indigenous, and/or people of color are strongly encouraged to apply. Oasis Legal Services does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, and associated characteristics; caste or religion; gender, sex, or sexual orientation; age; national origin or ancestry; citizenship status; disability or medical condition; prior contact with the criminal justice system; or any other basis prohibited by law.

We believe in paying people fairly for the jobs they do at Oasis, and our compensation philosophy is based on the responsibilities and scope of the role, not the individual who happens to be filling the role or the geographic region where they happen to be doing that job, for example. Please note that we have a negotiation-free policy in order to apply our pay scale uniformly across the organization and create internal pay equity. Annual salary is commensurate with years of same-level experience in a similar role, either:

• $80,000 for a candidate with less than three years of experience as a licensed attorney, or
• $88,000 for three to five years of experience, or
• $98,000 for six to 10 years of experience, or
• $108,000 for 11+ years of experience.

This pay is for working our standard full-time work schedule of seven hours per day and 35 hours per week. Candidates to advance to the final interview will be asked to provide information about their same-level experience in any similar role, if not included in their resume, as the basis for Oasis to calculate a possible job offer within our salary framework. Benefits include:

• Paid Time Off: Flexible paid time off policy (approximately 25 days annually), winter office closure, and 14 holidays per year including quarterly Oasis wellness days. Sabbatical leave after six years.
• Employer contributions to health insurance coverage (medical, dental, vision), group life insurance, Simple IRA retirement account, and Oasis Family Leave.
• Pre-tax savings on commuter benefits and Flexible Spending Accounts for health care and dependent care expenses.
• Professional development funds (budget permitting).
• Relocation support for moving to the Bay Area from another California region, U.S. state or country.

Proficient in both English and Spanish languages (spoken and written). Must be able to communicate to clients in Spanish and English, without an interpreter or translator.