Supervising Attorney for SF Immigration Court Helpdesk

The Immigration Center for Women and Children (ICWC) seeks a full-time Supervising Attorney to manage the staff and programs in its downtown San Francisco office for the San Francisco Immigration Court, including: the Immigration Court Helpdesk (ICH), the Family Group Legal Orientation Program (FGLOP), the Legal Orientation Program for Custodians (LOPC), and just launching this year - a new program to provide legal services to Ms. L. class members.

About ICWC: ICWC is a non-profit legal organization providing free or affordable immigration services to underrepresented women and children. Since its founding in 2004, ICWC has become a national expert in humanitarian-based immigration cases assisting survivors of trauma and has served over 70,000 people. We believe in a client-centered practice, compassion for immigrants and their families, and empowering survivors to overcome trauma. We strive to create a supportive workplace where self-care is valued. For more information about ICWC, please visit www.icwclaw.org.

About ICWC's San Francisco Downtown Office: ICWC's SF Downtown Office hosts court-based legal education programs for non-detained respondents in removal proceedings. The programs listed above are court-based legal education programs for non-detained respondents in removal proceedings before the San Francisco Immigration Court. We provide respondents with information about court practices and procedures, available legal options, and other relevant topics. ICWC helps unrepresented individuals understand the immigration court process and navigate a complex legal system on their own.  Our services include: providing orientations to respondents in individual and group settings, serving as a Friend of the Court to unrepresented respondents during Master Calendar Hearings, offering pro-se (self-help) workshops and materials to respondents, and helping pro-se respondents complete and file applications and motions. We often help asylum seekers file I-589s and/or supplemental evidence to the Court in advance of filing deadlines and offer court preparation sessions. In 2024, ICWC will start supporting immigrant families previously separated at the border, because of ACLU’s lawsuit against ICE (settled in December 2023).

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Supervising Attorney, with the Directing Attorney's support, will supervise an attorney, a DOJ Representative, legal assistants, and an intake coordinator, and manage and provide services for the programs. They will also represent ICWC during various stakeholder meetings. The supervising attorney will help launch a new program to provide legal services to Ms. L. class members. Ms. L. et al. v. U.S. Customs and Border Protection, et al is a class action lawsuit filed by the ACLU on behalf of children and parents who were forcibly separated at the U.S. Mexico border between January 20, 2017, and January 20, 2021. The settlement agreement, finalized in December 2023, requires DHS and EOIR to provide legal access and orientation services to Ms. L class members  (https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/court-approves-historic-settlement-in-aclus-family-separation-lawsuit).

Requirements:

• Juris Doctor degree
• Bar License to practice in any state

Preferred:

• Spanish language skills preferred. Please clearly specify in your application your Spanish language skills.
• Experience supervising employees
• At least 2 years’ experience in immigration law practice
• U visa, VAWA, SIJS, and/or asylum experience (including law school clinic experience and internships)

Other Qualifications:

• A demonstrated interest in low-income legal services and/or a commitment to supporting immigrants' rights
• Ability to work effectively with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault
• Ability to work effectively and communicate with representatives of government

This position is in-office with the opportunity to work remotely one flex-day per week, after the initial training and onboarding period.

Benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, life, long-term disability insurances, retirement plan, FSA (flexible spending account for healthcare and commuting expenses), and some reimbursement for preventative wellness activities and parking. Generous paid-time off, in addition to office closures for 13 state and federal holidays and a week-long winter break. A relocation stipend is also available.

Spanish language fluency preferred: oral and written. The position requires the ability to supervise staff who are providing services daily in both Spanish and English through oral and written communications. Please clearly specify in your application your Spanish language skills.