Paralegal-Immigrant Rights

The Opportunity

ALC seeks to hire a paralegal to work in collaboration with attorneys in the Immigrant Rights Program to provide high-quality, client-centered representation to individuals facing detention and deportation. The paralegal will work in ALC’s legal operations team and primarily participate in aspects of the Immigrant Rights Program’s provision of legal services in removal proceedings and related legal matters, including working directly with clients and their loved ones. In addition, the paralegal will provide support for impact litigation and direct representation across ALC teams and program areas. Consistent with ALC’s multi-pronged approach, the paralegal’s direct services work will be integrated with impact strategies and community empowerment work. This position works under the supervision of the Supervising Paralegal, supports attorneys, and works with staff across the organization.

The Organization 

ALC is the nation’s first legal organization focusing on advancing and defending the civil rights of Asian American and Pacific Islander (API) communities, including Arab and Middle Eastern communities (AMEMSA). Since 1972, ALC has ensured access to affordable housing in San Francisco’s Chinatown, litigated high-profile civil rights cases, advocated for the passage of landmark policy changes, and provided an array of services, including community education, advocacy, and direct client representation to further the rights of low-income immigrants and communities of color. Current program areas include Workers’ Rights, National Security & Civil Rights, Housing Rights, Immigrant Rights, Community Safety, and Voting Rights.

Responsibilities

Client Support

●   Conduct intake interviews with potential clients, including those who are incarcerated or detained, consult with attorneys regarding next steps and provide appropriate referrals as needed. 

• Respond to mail and communication from clients and community members.
• Build relationships and maintain regular communication with clients and their family members, including scheduling meetings, interviews, and depositions. 
• Work with clients and their family members to request records, gather evidence, draft declarations, prepare testimony, and prepare application forms for attorney review.
• Provide support to clients following release from prison or immigration detention including referrals to community resources and assistance with obtaining identification and work permits.
• Schedule interpreters and set up Docusign and document translation. 
• Support with tasks related to Client Trust Accounts. 

Legal Support 

● Draft legal documents using templates, such as pleadings and contracts, for attorney review. 

• Collect, examine, and organize evidence and other legal documents for attorney review and case preparation. 

● Put together filing checklists. 

● Cite check, edit, and proofread legal documents, such as pleadings and contracts. 

● Prepare immigration court filings under attorney supervision, including formatting documents and generating Tables of Contents and Tables of Authorities in legal briefs.

• File and serve documents in various courts including immigration courts, the Board of Immigration Appeals, state courts, and federal courts.

Administrative Support

●   Manage, organize, and maintain documents in electronic and physical filing systems. 

●   Input, manage, and maintain data for client/case information. 

●   Assist with administrative tasks related to legal clinics. 

Team Collaboration

● Collaborate with attorneys, paralegals, and intake coordinators to ensure efficient workflow and effective communication

• Provide information and data regarding casework in support of grant reports 
• Collaborate with the program director and other staff in the Immigrant Rights Program and perform other duties as needed

● Assist colleagues when appropriate, fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment 

All ALC staff are expected to participate in regular check-in meetings with their supervisor/supervisees, staff meetings, team meetings, and other organization meetings, as required. This includes two (2) annual retreats, an anniversary celebration dinner, and meetings as needed in the San Francisco Bay area. 

The above statements are not intended to encompass all functions of the position; rather, they are intended to provide a general framework of the requirements of the position. Job incumbents may be required to perform other functions not specifically addressed in this posting.

Qualifications

● Demonstrated commitment to advancing the rights of low-income, people of color, and/or immigrant communities

• One of the following set of criteria, to meet California requirements for paralegals: 

1. Completion of an American Bar Association-accredited and certified paralegal program
2. A certificate of completion of a paralegal program at, or a degree from, a postsecondary institution that requires the successful completion of a minimum of 24 semester, or equivalent, units in law-related courses and that has been accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization or approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education
3. A bachelor’s degree or an advanced degree and a minimum of one year of law-related experience under the supervision of an attorney who has been an active member of the State Bar of California for at least the preceding three (3) years or who has practiced in the federal courts of this state for at least the preceding three (3) years, and a written declaration from this attorney stating that the person is qualified to perform paralegal tasks

● Two (2) or more years of relevant paralegal or legal assistant experience.

● Experience working with low-income immigrant communities and/or incarcerated/formerly incarcerated individuals preferred

• Excellent writing, communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills; a high level of attention to detail

● Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team and manage multiple tasks in a timely manner

• Team player and collaborator who enjoys working with colleagues of diverse backgrounds and experiences
• A trusted colleague who works effectively within a nonprofit team toward organizational goals and objectives

●   High level of discretion and professionalism when handling sensitive and confidential information

●  Commitment to social justice

●  Technological proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Slack, Asana, and other relevant software applications

●  Proficiency in an Asian language or Spanish preferred

ALC’s comprehensive benefits package includes generous vacation and paid holidays; medical, dental, disability, and life insurance coverage (ALC pays 100% of premiums for employees and 75% for qualified dependents); a flexible spending account (FSA); and a 401K retirement plan with employer non-elective contribution and match.

Interested candidates should submit via email to jobs@advancingjustice-alc.org by July 1, 2024, including the following (as PDF attachments):

(1) Cover letter explaining your interest in the position 

(2) Resume 

(3) Writing sample (no more than five (5) pages) 

(3) Three (3) professional references 

Please indicate “Paralegal - Immigrant Rights” in the subject line.