Staff Attorney II

Esperanza Immigrant Rights Project, a program of Catholic Charities of Los Angeles, Inc., is a non-profit law firm which provides community education and legal representation to immigrant adults, families, unaccompanied minors, individuals with mental health issues, and in cases involving crimmigration. Esperanza has proudly provided legal services to immigrants and their families in Southern California for over 15 years. More information is available at www.esperanza-la.org.

The Staff Attorney II will work under the supervision of a Managing Attorney to provide legal representation to immigrants in removal proceedings and related state court proceedings , focusing particularly on cases involving detained and released adults, unaccompanied minors released to sponsors in the Los Angeles, Van Nuys, and Santa Ana Immigration Court jurisdictions. The Staff Attorney II will be expected to carry a caseload consisting of a variety of affirmative and defensive immigration cases for both adults and children. The Staff Attorney II will report directly to their assigned Managing Attorney. The Staff Attorney II will take on additional responsibilities including supervision of legal interns and/or law students. The Staff Attorney II will take on additional responsibilities including for example: mentorship of Staff Attorney I and/or paralegals or other staff; participation in collaboratives or stakeholder meetings; advocacy and policy; trainings and education; community engagement; and other special projects as needed.

Responsibilities:

• Provide zealous representation to Esperanza clients in front of the Executive Office for Immigration Review, the Board of Immigration Appeals, Citizenship and Immigration Services, and various California state courts.
• Provide community education services, including Know Your Rights presentations, intakes of potential clients, and pro se workshops.
• Perform all administrative and data-entry tasks required.
• Follow all Esperanza internal policies and procedures regarding representation and community education standards.
• Supervise legal interns and/or law students or other staff.
• Mentor Staff Attorney I and/or paralegal or other staff.
• At least one of the following: participation in collaboratives or stakeholder meetings; advocacy and policy; trainings and education; community engagement; and other special projects as needed.

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctorate degree.
• Active, California State Bar License, or license from another jurisdiction, and commitment to sitting for next available California Bar Exam preferred.
• At least two years of experience as an attorney in immigration law required.
• Excellent legal research and legal writing skills required.
• Interest in working with young, newly arrived immigrants, clients with criminal histories or past gang affiliation, and those suffering from mental illness is required.
• Spanish fluency preferred.

This is a hybrid position.

Catholic Charities offers a wide range of employee benefits to support the total wellness of its employees. Our competitive package provides the flexibility to select the benefits that best meets the employee’s needs. Benefits are effective the first of the month following 30 days of employment.

· Medical, Dental & Vision

· Life Insurance

· Retirement Plan to include 401a/employer contribution only and 403(b)

· Ways to protect your income (life, Accident, disability insurance, etc.)

· Flexible Spending Account

· Health Care Spending Account Reimbursement accounts(HAS)

· Vacation days – 15 days per year

· Sick time – 10 days per year

· Short and Long Term Disability

· 13 holidays per year for regular f/t & p/t employees

· Employee Recognition - Annual Staff Appreciation Day Event

· Free Parking

This is a hybrid position

Spanish Preferred