Staff Attorney or DOJ Accredited Representative

STAFF ATTORNEY OR DOJ ACCREDITED REPRESENTATIVE 

(AFFIRMATIVE ASYLUM) 

THE ORGANIZATION

Al Otro Lado is a binational legal services and immigrant rights organization serving immigrants, asylum seekers and deported persons in Southern California, Tijuana, México, and beyond. We approach cases using a multidisciplinary, client-centered, abolitionist, harm reduction-based lens, and engage in zealous individual representation, human rights monitoring and impact litigation to protect the rights of individual immigrants and challenge systemic practices that violate the human rights of immigrant communities. We leverage vital partnerships with community-based organizations and academic institutions, and engage thousands of volunteers to maximize our impact and help build a broad-based immigrant justice movement.

For more information about our organization, please visit us on our website at: alotrolado.org/ or visit us on social media: @alotrolado_org (Instagram and Twitter); Al Otro Lado (Facebook).

THE STAFF ATTORNEY OR DOJ ACCREDITED REPRESENTATIVE POSITION

Al Otro Lado seeks a bilingual Spanish-speaking Staff Attorney or DOJ Accredited Representative. The Staff Attorney or DOJ Accredited Representative will work out of Al Otro Lado’s Los Angeles office and will work under the supervision of the Supervisory Attorney/Representative. The Staff Attorney or DOJ Accredited Representative will primarily represent affirmative asylum applicants in Los Angeles County.

This position is a hybrid in person/remote position with in-person duties as needed to serve our client population. These in-person duties may include attending USCIS interviews, in-person client meetings, and other duties as needed to ensure high quality representation for our clients. USCIS interviews will require travel to the asylum office in Irvine, CA, and potentially other locations as assigned. 

JOB DUTIES 

• Represent clients in affirmative asylum, employment authorization applications, and other forms of relief before USCIS
• Draft client declarations as needed for applications for immigration relief
• Organize evidence packets
• Represent clients in USCIS interviews
• Assist with conducting and reviewing client intakes for immigration relief
• Assign casework to legal support staff, including legal assistants and administrative staff and provide review
• Follow organizational protocols for data management and reporting
• Other duties as needed

REQUIRED SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS

• Staff Attorney: Law degree and active bar admission or law school graduate awaiting admission, with substantive relevant experience
• DOJ Accredited Representative: Must be previously DOJ accredited (partially or fully) and be able to obtain DOJ Accreditation with Al Otro Lado
• Fluency in spoken and written Spanish
• 1–2 years of practical experience in affirmative asylum work
• Excellent legal skills and broad knowledge of immigration law
• Demonstrated commitment to mission and goals of Al Otro Lado
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Commitment to working in a diverse professional environment, with a kind and respectful attitude towards clients, colleagues, and relevant stakeholders
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work independently

This is a full-time, exempt position with a starting annual salary of  $65,000-$70,000 DOE and includes a comprehensive benefits package. 

BENEFITS

Al Otro Lado’s comprehensive benefit package includes:

• Health benefits: Al Otro Lado contributes 99% of employee medical & 70% of employee dental and vision premiums. Insurance coverage is effective on the 1st of the month following the employee's date of hire.
• Employer Sponsored Insurances: Employer-sponsored Group Long Term Disability, Short Term Disability and Life/ AD&D coverage.
• Optional Coverages: Accident, Critical Illness and Hospital Insurance
• Paid Time Off: Up to three weeks of accrued paid time off per year.
• Paid Holidays: 11 paid holidays observed, plus 1 week off for Winter Break and 1 week off for Summer Break. 
• Paid Parental Leave: Supplemental wage integration following the birth of an employee’s child or the placement of a child with an employee in connection with adoption or foster care.
• 403(B): Retirement plan investment opportunities to include Pre-tax or ROTH options
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Employer sponsored plan offering mental health support, legal and financial services

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please submit a letter of interest, writing sample, preferably a redacted client declaration from an immigration case, resume, and three professional references to jobs@alotrolado.org, with “Accredited Representative/Staff Attorney-Affirmative Representation” in the subject line. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please. Al Otro Lado values diversity in the workplace and strongly encourages applications from the communities we serve, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, formerly incarcerated individuals, individuals with disabilities, and members of underrepresented communities.