Immigrants’ Rights Attorney

The Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County (Legal Aid SMC) seeks an attorney who is passionate about immigrants’ rights and economic justice to help low-income families and children apply for immigration relief and access safety net benefits. Our immigration practice focuses on helping survivors of child abuse, domestic violence, and other crimes apply for humanitarian relief and protect themselves from deportation.

We also partner with community agencies through our LIBRE (Linking Immigrants to Benefits, Resources and Education) collaborative to provide community education, outreach, and application assistance.

Legal Aid SMC seeks candidates who share our aspirations for a diverse, inclusive, and equitable community and workplace. We are committed to affirming differences in race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity and expression.

We believe our entire community is stronger when everyone has a home, economic security, and access to education, medical care, and other essential public services. Legal Aid SMC aims to make the social safety net work for everyone. Our work makes San Mateo County a more just and equitable place to live and work.

Responsibilities:

• Litigation and Advocacy: Advise and represent low-income San Mateo County residents seeking immigration relief with USCIS and before EOIR, including Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, U Visas, DACA, and VAWA. Participate in Rapid Response rotation to provide consultations to San Mateo County residents at imminent risk of detention or in detention facilities.
• Community engagement: With community partners, educate low-income immigrants about their rights, potential immigration remedies, and eligibility for safety net benefits. May include presentations and tabling events during evening and weekends.
• Policy Advocacy: Work collaboratively with community groups to advance local and state policies that benefit immigrants and their families.

Required Qualifications:

• Active membership in the California State Bar or qualified for Registered Legal Services Attorney Program
• Excellent communication skills
• Well-organized and detail-oriented

Preferred:

• Oral and written fluency in Spanish
• Immigration law experience

Compensation and Benefits: Full-time exempt position starting at $86,000/year depending on experience. $2,500 stipend for proficiency in Spanish or another language spoken by our client community. Excellent benefits including up to $3,600/year law school loan repayment assistance.

Location: The attorney will work in-person at our Redwood City office five days a week and must be able to travel within San Mateo County and to San Francisco and Concord for outreach presentations, immigration interviews, and court appearances.

To Apply: Send your resume, cover letter, and a writing sample to jobs@legalaidsmc.org

LASSMC is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Persons of color, persons with disabilities, immigrants, older adults, and members of the LGBTQ+ community are strongly encouraged to apply.

Excellent benefits including up to $3,600/year law school loan repayment assistance.

Oral and written fluency in Spanish preferred. $2,500 stipend for proficiency in Spanish or another language spoken by our client community.