Law Graduate Position in San Francisco

Job description

The Immigration Center for Women and Children (ICWC) seeks a law graduate, who upon earning their J.D., will be taking a July 2024 bar exam – and then once licensed, will transition to a staff attorney position. ICWC is a non-profit legal organization providing free and affordable immigration services to underrepresented immigrants in California and Nevada. ICWC strives to provide security and stability for children who are abused, abandoned, or neglected and for immigrants who are survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other violent crimes. The offices primarily work with federal immigration laws that allow marginalized immigrants apply for work authorization and permanent residency. ICWC also manages the San Francisco Immigration Court’s Immigration Court Helpdesk (ICH) and Family Group Legal Orientation Program (FGLOP), which are court-based legal education programs for non-detained respondents in removal proceedings. In May 2024, ICWC will start providing support to immigrant families reunited after previously being separated at the border under the Trump Administration, resulting from the ACLU’s lawsuit against and later settlement with ICE - in December 2023. More information about ICWC is available at www.icwclaw.org. Salary is $68,000 for law graduates, and just-licensed salary for staff attorneys is $75,000 annually.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The law graduate for our San Francisco Downtown office will help launch a new program to provide legal services to Ms. L. class members. Ms. L. et al. v. U.S. Customs and Border Protection, et al is a class action lawsuit filed by the ACLU on behalf of children and parents who were forcibly separated at the U.S. Mexico border between January 20, 2017, and January 20, 2021. The settlement agreement requires DHS and EOIR to provide legal access and orientation services to Ms. L class members (https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/court-approves-historic-settlement-in-aclus-family-separation-lawsuit). The law graduate may also provide ICH/FGLOP services – to individuals and families with upcoming hearings at the San Francisco immigration court. ICH and FGLOP help unrepresented individuals understand the immigration court process and navigate a complex legal system on their own. For class members (of the ACLU lawsuit) and respondents with upcoming hearings – ICWC provides information about court practices and procedures, available legal immigration remedies, and other relevant topics. The law graduate may serve as a Friend of the Court to unrepresented respondents during Master Calendar Hearings, offering pro-se (self-help) workshops and materials to respondents, and helping pro-se respondents complete and file applications and motions. They will also help eligible asylum seekers file I-589s and/or supplemental evidence to the Court in advance of filing deadlines and offer court preparation sessions in the form of group self-help workshops or one-on-one meetings. They may also represent ICWC during various stakeholder meetings.

Requirements:

• Juris Doctor degree (by Spring 2024).
• Pending application for bar admission to any state bar - having registered for the July 2024 bar exam.
• Spanish language fluency: oral and written. The law graduate must be able to communicate directly (and without an interpreter) with their clients, many of whom are monolingual Spanish speakers. Please indicate your language capacity in your application.

Other Qualifications:

• Immigration law experience preferred (including law school clinic experience and internships)
• SIJS, U visa, VAWA, and/or asylum experience preferred
• Strong writing skills and meticulous attention to detail
• A demonstrated interest in low-income legal services and/or a commitment to immigrants' rights
• Ability to work effectively with victims of domestic violence and sexual assault
• Ability to work effectively and communicate with law enforcement, representatives of government and English/Spanish media

Benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurances, a retirement plan with employer match, FSA (flexible spending account for healthcare, dependent care, and commuting expenses), and reimbursement for preventative wellness activities. Generous paid time off, in addition to office closures for 13 state and federal holidays and a week-long winter break. A stipend for bar exam registration and a bar study course is offered for this position. A relocation stipend is also available. A bar stipend of up to $3000 for the bar exam fees and preparation course are also available.