Immigration Justice Project – Staff Attorney

### The American Bar Association (ABA)

The American Bar Association (ABA) was founded on a commitment to advance the rule of law in the United States and beyond by providing practical resources for legal professionals, conducting law school accreditation, developing model ethics codes, and more. Today, the ABA remains a member-based organization that works to ensure access to justice for all, a fair legal process, and respect for the rule of law at home and across the globe.

The ABA is committed to service and refining the standards that guide the legal profession. ABA staff are provided multiple types of continuing education and career development opportunities. Your work will help eliminate bias, enhance diversity, and advance the rule of law throughout the US and around the world.

The ABA recognizes the value staff contribute to our success through a generous benefits package that protects their health and financial security. The ABA’s wide array of benefit offerings include 401(k), medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, health spending accounts, supplemental life and disability insurance, prepaid legal programs, and a complimentary membership to the American Bar Association, which offers additional benefits.

Flexible/hybrid work arrangements may be available for residents of CA, DC, IL, IN, IA, MD, MI, MN, TX, VA, and WI. Residency requirements may apply. ABA employees are eligible to apply for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).

### Job Summary/General Purpose of Job

Provide direct legal representation to clients in immigration proceedings, including children and respondents who are designated as not competent to represent themselves in their immigration proceedings, as part of the National Qualified Representatives Program. In accordance with the federal policies and contractor funding requirements, clearance of federal background checks will be required for this position.

### Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities

– Direct legal representation of immigrants and asylum seekers in removal proceedings, bond proceedings, and appeals before the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), with a focus on representation of clients detained in immigration custody.
– Provide legal services, including pro se legal assistance, orientation, and direct representation, to immigrants and asylum seekers facing removal.
– Collaborate with the Mental Health Case Manager to help clients obtain release from immigration custody and to remain stable as they return to the community from custody.
– Collaborate with and participate in the work of the Legal Orientation Program at immigrant detention facilities.
– Review legal screenings conducted by orientation programs and reviews and assigns follow-up services, including additional interviewing, referrals to other legal service providers and advocates, or in-house representation.
– Conduct child-friendly and trauma-informed legal services for unaccompanied minors and immigrant youth, including individual screenings, pro se assistance, referrals, and direct legal representation.
– Prepare and file applications for legal relief, and represent clients before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), state courts, and related entities.
– Develop and maintain legal competency relating to immigration legal services. Build and maintain relationships with local stakeholders.
– Observe ethical practices relating to confidentiality and all other applicable legal ethics standards.
– Maintain case files, documentation, and data integrity using the division’s case management system. Ensure contract compliance, including helping to prepare funder reports and ensuring that data is entered accurately and timely as required.
– Perform other related duties as required.

### Required Education, Qualifications, Experience

– Juris Doctorate (JD) degree or Master of Law (LLM) degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
– Licensed to practice law in a U.S. state or territory with current Bar membership in good standing.
– Fluent in English in written and spoken forms.
– Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office products and Google tools.
– Comfortable with public speaking and frequent communication with clients and their supporters, government counsel, court staff, and immigration officers and judges.
– Must have reliable transportation to travel to off-site work locations.
– Must be insurable and have an acceptable driving record.
– Ability to travel to and enter detention centers, and regular travel to the San Diego Immigration Court in downtown San Diego, Otay Mesa Immigration Court, and Otay Mesa Detention Center.
– Comfort with working with colleagues and clients from all over the world, with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, as well as clients living with serious physical and mental disabilities (legal internship, law school clinic, or non-legal experience will be taken into consideration).
– Familiarity with legal research tools, strong written and oral advocacy skills, and a commitment to participate fully in training and development of these skills.

### Preferred Education, Qualifications, Experience

– Fluency in Spanish in written and spoken forms preferred.
– Licensed to practice law and member in the State Bar of California with one year’s experience, preferably in immigration.
– Prior volunteer, community, or work experience regarding immigration or detention.
– Prior work experience with immigrants, asylum seekers, or refugees, and providing legal services to low-income people, especially for clients in criminal or immigration custody.
– Professional dedication to legal advocacy on behalf of people in custody, members of oppressed and marginalized groups, and people with a prior history of involvement in the criminal and immigration legal systems.

### Physical Requirements

– Typical office setting with frequent visits to immigration detention facilities and immigration court.
– May be required to transport office equipment to the court or detention center.

### Extent of Travel Required in the Job

As a normal course of business, this job will typically require travel to the Otay Mesa Detention Center approximately 25% of the time.

The American Bar Association is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with the American Bar Association, please call 312-988-5188.

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