Senior Staff Attorney, Immigrant Justice

Type: Regular, Exempt, Full-time. This position is part of a collective bargaining unit represented by CWA Local 9410.

Location: San Francisco, CA. This is a hybrid role that is required to work in our San Francisco office two days a week. Domestic travel required.

Deadline: Applications are due by March 6, 2026.

Reports to: The Senior Staff Attorney reports to the Immigrant Justice Program Director.

Compensation and Benefits: The Senior Staff Attorney’s salary range is $113,912 - $148,629.

This position is eligible for language premiums for demonstrated proficiency in a language other than English that is regularly used in their job duties. The annual premium is $1,500 for oral proficiency and $1,500 for written proficiency in each language.

ALC’s comprehensive benefits package includes the following: 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 401(k) retirement plan with employer non-elective contribution and match.

The Opportunity

The Asian Law Caucus (ALC) seeks a Senior Staff Attorney to join its Immigrant Justice Program at a critical moment for immigrant communities. As we confront increased enforcement and policy changes targeting immigrants, we are strengthening our legal team to protect populations under attack and defend civil rights. Join our dynamic team in advocating for immigrants’ rights through a combination of impact litigation, community-centered legal advocacy, and representation of individual clients in habeas petitions, and bond and removal proceedings.

The position reflects our commitment to integrating legal advocacy with movement building to create systemic change. You’ll work within a supportive environment that values innovation, collaboration, and community partnership, under the supervision and mentorship of our Immigrant Justice Program Director.

The Organization

Founded in 1972, the Asian Law Caucus is the nation’s first legal and civil rights organization serving low-income Asian and Pacific Islander communities. We bring together legal services, community empowerment, and policy advocacy to fight for immigrant justice, economic security, and a stronger, multiracial democracy. We are committed to serving the vast diversity of communities of Asian descent, including Arab, Middle Eastern, and Muslim communities. Our fights for justice and equity are deeply informed by and in solidarity with fights for liberation by and for Black, Indigenous, and Latinx communities.

Our growing staff works collaboratively across four issue areas. Our work is rooted in the San Francisco Bay Area and California and expands to states across the country, including places where immigrant, Asian, Arab, Middle Eastern, and Pacific Islander communities are rapidly growing.

Responsibilities

• Work to identify, develop, and litigate new impact cases seeking to protect immigrants’ rights;
• Litigate habeas corpus petitions seeking release from ICE detention, and constitutional challenges to ICE enforcement practices and detention conditions;
• Provide legal consultation and representation in removal and bond proceedings, and appeals before the BIA and 9th Circuit;
• Collaborate with grassroots partners to support organizing efforts, policy advocacy and community education and empowerment work, including developing and presenting KYR resources;
• Build and maintain relationships with community partners, including providing immigration legal support as capacity allows;
• Represent ALC in coalitions with local and national legal partners and advocacy organizations;
• Collaborate with other staff in the IJ Program, and across ALC programs, to perform other duties as needed.

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.

Desired Qualifications

• B.A./B.S. and J.D. degrees. California bar membership required
• Five (5) or more years of legal experience required, in one or more of the following areas: federal litigation, impact litigation, and/or complex removal defense.
• Prior experience in immigrant rights advocacy is desired; prior experience in prisoners’ rights/prison abolition is a plus.
• Excellent legal research, analysis, and writing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team and manage multiple tasks in a timely manner.
• Demonstrated commitment to building power with and for people directly impacted by the immigration and/or carceral system.
• Experience working directly with API and AMEMSA community members impacted by the immigration legal system and/or criminal legal system is highly desired.
• Familiarity with the intersection of immigration status and other issues, such as national security, employment and housing, is a plus.
• Familiarity with legal case management systems is a plus
• Proficiency in an Asian or Middle Eastern language, or Spanish is a plus.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit the following via Breezy app.

1. A cover letter
2. Resume
3. Writing sample (no more than 10 pages)
4. Three professional references (including two direct supervisor references)

Asian Law Caucus is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified persons are encouraged to apply, regardless of race, color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including HIV, cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital or domestic partner status, reproductive health decision-making, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions) gender (including gender identity and gender expression), age (40 years and over), sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status, protected medical leaves (requesting or approved for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act or the California Family Rights Act), domestic violence victim and survivor status, political affiliation, height, weight, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws.

ALC’s comprehensive benefits package includes the following: 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 401(k) retirement plan with employer non-elective contribution and match.