STAFF ATTORNEY- APPELLATE

STAFF ATTORNEY- APPELLATE

THE ORGANIZATION

Al Otro Lado is a binational legal services and immigrant rights organization serving immigrants, asylum seekers and deported persons in Southern California, Tijuana, México, and beyond. We approach cases using a multidisciplinary, client-centered, abolitionist, harm reduction-based lens, and engage in zealous individual representation, human rights monitoring and impact litigation to protect the rights of individual immigrants and challenge systemic practices that violate the human rights of immigrant communities. We leverage vital partnerships with community-based organizations and academic institutions, and engage thousands of volunteers to maximize our impact and help build a broad-based immigrant justice movement.

For more information about our organization, please visit us on our website at: alotrolado.org/ or visit us on social media: @alotrolado_org (Instagram and Twitter); Al Otro Lado (Facebook).

THE STAFF ATTORNEY OR DOJ ACCREDITED REPRESENTATIVE POSITION

Al Otro Lado seeks a Staff Attorney to focus on appellate representation, preferably bilingual in Spanish and English. The Appellate Staff Attorney will be associated with Al Otro Lado’s Los Angeles office and will work under the supervision of the Managing Attorney for Litigation. The Appellate Staff Attorney will regularly provide legal consultation and representation services for appellate immigration cases, including Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), Circuit Court Petitions for Review, USCIS appeals, and motions before all such forums, including motions to reopen, to remand, or to reconsider, as well as other immigration representation work as may become relevant.

This position is hybrid based out of our Los Angeles, CA office with in person duties as needed to serve our client population, and may require limited travel to locations as assigned.

JOB DUTIES 

• Represent clients in cases appellate cases including motions practice before the BIA, Circuit Courts, and USCIS;  
• Collect evidence, client declarations and applications as needed for applications for immigration relief; 
• Represent clients in hearings and interviews as required;
• Provide supportive ancillary representation, including but not limited to representation related to detention and release from detention, or ICE check-in or related matters that may affect clients receiving appellate representation;
• Assist with conducting and reviewing client intakes for immigration relief;
• Assign and review casework to legal support staff, including legal assistants and administrative staff;
• Follow organizational protocols for data management and reporting; 
• Other duties as needed.

REQUIRED SKILL/QUALIFICATIONS

• Law degree and active bar admission or law school graduate awaiting admission, with substantive relevant experience
• Exceptional legal writing and research skills
• Fluency in spoken and written Spanish and English desirable, as are advanced language abilities in other languages relevant to the population Al Otro Lado serves;
• 1–2 years of practical experience in immigration. Experience in detained and non-detained immigration removal defense and appeals preferred
• Excellent legal skills and broad knowledge of immigration law
• Demonstrated commitment to mission and goals of Al Otro Lado
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Commitment to working in a diverse professional environment, with a kind and respectful attitude towards clients, colleagues, and relevant stakeholders
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work independently
• Must have a reliable internet connection and be able to remain available for work during Pacific time office hours

All Al Otro Lado staff working directly with clients must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including with recommended boosters, and must follow strict COVID protocol while providing services, including by using a high-quality mask in in-person settings, including detention facilities, and by testing for COVID if experiencing any symptoms.

Please note, this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. The ideal candidate will be flexible, adaptive, and enthusiastic about responding to needs as they arise.

This is a full-time, exempt position with a starting annual salary of $68,000-$78,000 DOE and includes a comprehensive benefits package. Al Otro Lado is piloting a 36-hour work week, with a half-day (4 hours) on Fridays. Payroll adjustments are made, as needed, to ensure that all staff receive the same wages as in a 40-hour work week.

BENEFITS

Al Otro Lado’s comprehensive benefit package includes:

• Health benefits: Al Otro Lado contributes up to 99% of employee medical & up to 70% of employee dental and vision premiums. Insurance coverage is effective on the 1st of the month following the employee's date of hire.
• Employer Sponsored Insurances: Employer-sponsored Group Long Term Disability, Short Term Disability and Life/ AD&D coverage.
• Optional Coverages: Accident, Critical Illness and Hospital Insurance
• Paid Time Off: Up to three weeks of accrued paid time off per year.
• Paid Holidays: 11 paid holidays observed, plus 1 week off for Winter Break and 1 week off for Summer Break. 
• Sabbatical Leave: Employees are eligible for paid Sabbatical Leave after 5 years of full-time employment.
• Paid Parental Leave: Supplemental wage integration following the birth of an employee’s child or the placement of a child with an employee in connection with adoption or foster care.
• 403(B): Retirement plan investment opportunities to include Pre-tax or ROTH options
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Employer sponsored plan offering mental health support, legal and financial services

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please submit a letter of interest, a writing sample (preferably one redacted client declaration from an immigration case and a substantive brief or substantive motion), resume, and three professional references to jobs@alotrolado.org, with “Appellate Staff Attorney” in the subject line. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please. Al Otro Lado values diversity in the workplace and strongly encourages applications from the communities we serve, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, formerly incarcerated individuals, individuals with disabilities, and members of underrepresented communities.

• Health benefits: Al Otro Lado contributes up to 99% of employee medical & up to 70% of employee dental and vision premiums. Insurance coverage is effective on the 1st of the month following the employee's date of hire.
• Employer Sponsored Insurances: Employer-sponsored Group Long Term Disability, Short Term Disability and Life/ AD&D coverage.
• Optional Coverages: Accident, Critical Illness and Hospital Insurance
• Paid Time Off: Up to three weeks of accrued paid time off per year.
• Paid Holidays: 11 paid holidays observed, plus 1 week off for Winter Break and 1 week off for Summer Break. 
• Sabbatical Leave: Employees are eligible for paid Sabbatical Leave after 5 years of full-time employment.
• Paid Parental Leave: Supplemental wage integration following the birth of an employee’s child or the placement of a child with an employee in connection with adoption or foster care.
• 403(B): Retirement plan investment opportunities to include Pre-tax or ROTH options
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Employer sponsored plan offering mental health support, legal and financial services

Please submit a letter of interest, a writing sample (preferably one redacted client declaration from an immigration case and a substantive brief or substantive motion), resume, and three professional references to jobs@alotrolado.org, with “Appellate Staff Attorney” in the subject line. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please. Al Otro Lado values diversity in the workplace and strongly encourages applications from the communities we serve, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, formerly incarcerated individuals, individuals with disabilities, and members of underrepresented communities.