Co-Directing Attorney-Representation Program

Esperanza Immigrant Rights Project, a program of Catholic Charities of Los Angeles, Inc., is a non-profit law firm which provides community education and legal representation to immigrant adults, families, unaccompanied minors, individuals with mental health issues, and in cases involving crimmigration. Esperanza has proudly provided legal services to immigrants and their families in Southern California for over 15 years. The immigration court system does not provide court-appointed counsel to individuals facing deportation who cannot afford an attorney, so this vulnerable population relies on our community education programs to obtain critical information about the process, understand their legal options and access assistance. Esperanza’s community education programs were established to more effectively meet this need and to guide pro se immigrants through the increasingly complicated and strained immigration system. Core services of the programs include legal orientations regarding removal proceedings and legal relief; intake and follow-up services; self-help workshops; and referrals for pro bono assistance or social services. More information can be found about Esperanza at www.esperanza-la.org

The Directing Attorney for Esperanza’s Representation Program, together with the other Directing Attorney for Representation, will supervise Esperanza’s entire program, including managing attorneys, staff attorneys, accredited representatives, and support staff.  The Directing Attorney will supervise the representation work done within Esperanza and is in charge of maintaining and enforcing the highest quality representation possible for our clients.  Additionally, the Directing Attorney will help maintain good relations with relevant stakeholders, including directly supervising the gathering and reporting of data, contract compliance, and assisting the Program Director in ensuring that all programs are being conducted within budget constraints.  The Directing Attorney for the Representation Program will work with other directing attorneys and the Program Director to assist with the overall management and coordination of the different programs and personnel within Esperanza.  The Directing Attorney will report directly to the Program Director. May supervise the work of employees and/or volunteers.

Responsibilities:

• Supervise all representation done within Esperanza, including assigning cases, regularly monitoring for quality, supervision and training of staff, and overall Esperanza-wide case strategies, policies, and procedures.
• Directly supervise managing attorneys
• Oversee and manage case distribution
• Facilitate communication between Esperanza and other stakeholders. 
• Work closely with other Directing Attorneys and Program
• Director to creatively problem-solve any project-wide issues and capture qualitative and quantitative data to support the program’s continuation.
• Juris Doctor degree; 
• Active and valid California State Bar License or active and valid state bar license in another state and willingness to sit for the California State Bar as soon as practicable;
• Proficiency in oral and written Spanish highly preferred; 
• Passage of the Catholic Charities background clearance check and any other background clearance check that may be needed to perform the duties assigned, including a U.S. Department of Justice background check and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department background check; 
• Experience in immigration law, criminal law or public interest law preferred; 
• Experience supervising, especially supervising direct representation preferred; 
• Minimum of five years in direct legal services highly desirable. 

Generous benefits package to include health, dental, vision, 10 sick days, 15 vacation days/year, 13 paid holidays/year, retirement plan, FSA account.

All new hires are subject to a 6-month probationary period.

How to apply:

Simultaneously email cover letter, resume, references (3), and a brief writing sample (5 pages or less) to:

(1) https://catholiccharitiesla.org/employment-opportunities/ Catholic Charities of Los Angeles Human

Resources Department; P.O. Box 15095, Los Angeles, CA 90015, and

(2) Kimberley Plotnik Program Director, kplotnik@esperanza-la.org. The email subject should

state your full name, and the position you are applying to.