Sr. Staff Attorney

Title: Senior Staff Attorney

Reports to: North Bay Regional Director

Full-time, Exempt Position

Location: Petaluma

The Immigration Institute of the Bay Area was founded in 1918, and its mission is to welcome, educate and serve immigrants, refugees and their families as they join and contribute to the community. IIBA provides immigration legal services, English and civic education, and other services throughout the Bay Area, as well as through its collaborative efforts with local and regional service providers. IIBA offers a team-oriented, collegial and collaborative work environment. We pride ourselves on providing excellent service to our clients, and we know our organization runs on the hard work and dedication of our passionate employees.

At IIBA, we have a clear vision: to be the place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come, to stay, and to do their best work. IIBA’s dedication to promoting diversity, multiculturalism, and inclusion is reflected in the work that we do. We are committed to equity and believe deeply in the value of diversity of race, sexual orientation, gender identify, religion, ethnicity, national origin and all the other wonderful characteristics that make us human.

Job Summary:

The Senior Staff Attorney supports IIBA’s mission by providing quality immigration-specific legal service, advice, and representation in support of low income individuals; provides supervision for staff, volunteers and new hires; represents IIBA at events for clients, and partner organizations; and maintains high standards for legal protocols and record keeping.

Job Responsibilities:

• Provide eligibility and risk assessment, full representation, brief service, and/ or legal advice to low income clients filing applications, including family-based and humanitarian immigration petitions, waivers, U Visas, DACA, DAPA, naturalization, consular processing, adjustments of status, and removal defense.
• Train and supervise legal practitioners, administrative support staff, paralegals, legal interns and other volunteers.
• Develop community relationships. Responsible for workshops, clinics, outreach activities and information sessions for immigrants, social service agencies serving immigrants, local government, and community based organizations. Outreach and workshops requires occasional evening and weekend events.
• Comply with IIBA’s policies, procedures, protocols, and best practices for non-profit immigration law practice, including legal ramifications, fee collection, maintenance of client files and data for reporting requirements. Participate in regular peer review meetings and legal trainings.
• Assess fees for services, sign contracts with clients, work with administrative staff to ensure fees are collected and applications are filed in a timely manner.
• Participate in meetings on behalf of IIBA and its partner organizations and collaborators.
• Perform all other duties as needed and/or as directed by supervisor.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Education & Certification: J.D. from ABA certified law school or international equivalent. A current Bar Membership in good standing.
• Work Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience in immigration law assisting immigrants with U-Visas, VAWA self-petitions, family visa petitions, waivers, DACA, naturalization.
• Advanced legal research and writing skills.
• Dedicated to providing high quality legal assistance and capable of handling complex legal issues on behalf of low-income immigrant populations.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational and communication skills.
• Experience in developing and providing services to the target population preferred.
• Very strong attention to detail and excellent organizational skills.
• Exceptional time management skills – ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to act independently and exercise sound judgment.
• Commitment to serving immigrants and sensitivity to the needs of the low-income, culturally diverse newcomer community.
• Familiarity with the region and knowledge of local resources, public systems, and area philanthropy preferred.

Salary/Benefits:

In the spirit of pay transparency, we are excited to share the base salary range for this position is $73,000 - $90,000, excluding fringe benefits and potential bonuses. If you are hired at IIBA, your final base salary compensation will be determined based on factors such as geographic location, skills, education, and/or experience. In addition to those factors, we believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity of our current team members as part of any final offer.

IIBA offers a generous cafeteria-style benefits package, elements of which include, but are not limited to:

• Employer matching 403(B) retirement plan: up to 5% employer contribution
• Insurance: Health, dental, life, vision, chiropractic & acupuncture. Medical and dependent care pre-tax reimbursement accounts.
• Transportation reimbursement account.
• Vacation: 15 days of accrued vacation per year with an increase each year.
• Sick Leave including paid family sick time
• Holidays: 15 paid Holidays per year
• Paid Parental Leave

Applicants for employment in the United States must have work authorization that does not currently or in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the United States.

This description intends to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. It is not intended to include all duties and responsibilities. The order in which duties and responsibilities are listed is not significant. Because of a need to remain responsive to the needs of our clients and our Agency’s operations, responsibilities may be modified at any time.

To apply: Send cover letter and resume to iibayareahire@iibayarea.org. Please include the title of the job you are applying for in the subject of the email.

For more information on IIBA, see our website: www.iibayarea.org. Position open until filled.

This description intends to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. It is not intended to include all duties and responsibilities. The order in which duties and responsibilities are listed is not significant. Because of a need to remain responsive to the needs of our clients and our Agency’s operations, responsibilities may be modified at any time.

IIBA recruits, employs, trains, compensates and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law.