Staff Attorney - Immigration Center for Women and Children

Job description

The Immigration Center for Women and Children (ICWC) seeks a full-time, bilingual staff attorney. 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. More information about ICWC is available at www.icwclaw.org. Law Graduates will start at $68,000 per year. The salary range for licensed attorneys is $74,000 - 90,000 annually, depending on experience.

Duties and Responsibilities

The staff attorney will provide direct immigration legal services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other violent crimes; and will also represent unaccompanied immigrant children who fled abuse in their home country and are in, or released from, federal Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) custody. Those duties would include: conducting client intake, case assessment, and ongoing case management; researching and drafting legal documents and attending court hearings. The attorney will work collaboratively with social service and law enforcement agencies. The attorney's casework would involve providing relief under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), the U visa, asylum, and/or Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS). The staff attorney will collaborate with other attorneys, legal assistants and administrative assistants and volunteers at ICWC. The attorney may supervise law students and other volunteers.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor degree
• Active bar admission, California bar preferred but not required - willing to consider law graduates awaiting results for the July 2024 California Bar exam.
• Spanish language skills are required.

OtherQualifications

• Immigration law experience preferred (including law school clinic experience and internships)
• U visa, VAWA, SIJS, 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 youth and survivors of trauma
• 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 relocation stipend is also available.

To apply

• please attach (1) your resume and (2) a cover letter addressed to Executive Director Suzanne McCormick.

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Relocation assistance
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Application Question(s):

• Are you a member of the CA bar? (Required)

Language:

• Spanish (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• license to practice law in the U.S. (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Los Angeles, CA 90014: Relocate before starting work (Required)