Staff Attorney (based in the Sunbelt)

Organized Power In Numbers (OPIN) works at the intersection of worker power and modern digital and data-driven organizing to help our movements reach millions of people, invite them into movement, and level up campaigns that win for workers, their families, and their communities. We utilize online and offline base building and organizing strategies, comprehensive campaigns, strategic litigation and communications, and policy advocacy to win concrete demands that improve the conditions of workers’ lives and promote civic engagement at the local, state, and national levels. In addition to running our own campaigns, we act as a public utility to power the campaigns and outreach efforts of others, supporting partners with lead generation, campaign strategy, and the implementation of outreach and organizing.

Our ideal Staff Attorney is a goal-driven, detail-oriented, problem solver who is committed to working collaboratively and respectfully with organizers and members to develop shared strategies that support worker power. They will ideally have experience representing low-wage immigrants in detention and deportation defense, and a willingness to learn new areas of law to support campaign and policy work. They will also be based in the Sunbelt, or willing to relocate, and demonstrate an ability to achieve results in a fast-paced and dynamic environment while balancing short- and long-term organizational and legal priorities. OPIN is a national organization and travel is required for all employees including for remote and regional positions.

Title: Staff Attorney

Reports to: Legal Director

Key Relationships: Executive Director, Campaign Director, Campaign Managers, Field Organizers

Location: Hybrid Remote, based in a Sunbelt State, strong preference for candidates based in New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, or North Carolina

Compensation: $75,000 - $80,000 annually, depending on experience

Essential Responsibilities

• Represent a small volume of non-US citizens in deportation defense, or affirmative applications for immigration relief (case selection driven by organizing and campaign priorities)
• Provide remote and in-person immigration consultations and screenings to immigrant workers, tenants, and community members
• Assist with the organization and coordination of both in-person and remote legal clinics, including family preparedness clinics
• Develop and conduct know-your-rights trainings for immigrants, tenants, workers, and small business owners
• Conduct legal and policy research to support strategic campaign development
• Serve as policy expert in support of organizing and advocacy to advance immigrant, worker, and tenant rights at the local, state, and federal level
• Researching and staying abreast of developments in both employment/labor and immigration law
• Represent workers and worker organizations in administrative complaints before federal labor agencies
• Conduct legal and factual research to develop litigation and work with local and regional partners to develop strategic litigation as the need arises
• Draft Freedom of Information and Public Records Act requests and litigate inadequate responses
• Provide technical assistance to community groups, organizers, and advocates
• Develop and grow a network of government, private and legal aid legal resources to support workers throughout the Sunbelt, including: a) private attorneys,; b) pro bono attorneys; c) legal aid attorneys; and d) law school clinics
• Maintain and strengthen collaborative working relationships with national, regional, and local advocacy organizations
• Assist with mentorship of staff (depending on experience level), general administrative tasks, and grant reporting as appropriate

Required Qualifications and Skills

• J.D.
• Fluency in Spanish
• Admission to a state bar, preferable in New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, or North Carolina
• Experience representing individuals in removal proceedings and providing immigration consultations and case analysis to low income immigrants
• Strong research, writing, and oral communication skills
• Ability to work independently and with a team
• Strong commitment to racial, social, economic, and gender justice and ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Please note: We will ask for writing samples and references once you are in the later stage of the process

This position is represented by Workers United and is covered under the terms and conditions of the applicable collective bargaining agreement.

Equal Opportunity Employer

OPIN recruits, hires, trains, transfers, and promotes qualified candidates on the basis of individual merit and without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other basis prohibited by law.

Fluency in Spanish is required