Staff Attorney

# JOB POSTING – Staff Attorney

The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (**CHIRLA**) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1986. CHIRLA is a California leader with national impact made of diverse immigrant families and individuals who act as agents of social change to achieve a world with freedom of mobility, full human rights, and true participatory democracy. CHIRLA organizes and serves individuals, institutions and coalitions to build power, transform public opinions, and change policies to achieve full human, civil and labor rights. Guided by power, love and vision of our community, CHIRLA embraces and drives progressive social change.

## POSITION DESCRIPTION

CHIRLA is seeking a **Staff Attorney** who will be a member of the legal department and may be assigned to work primarily with one or more legal teams as needed. The types and amounts of cases assigned will reflect the needs of the clients served by the team(s) or the legal department as a whole.

The Staff Attorney will assist clients in pursuing immigration benefits and provide representation in applications, hearings, or proceedings before various courts, tribunals, and agencies. The role also includes community-based systemic reform and advocacy aimed at improving federal immigration laws. The Staff Attorney will provide consultations to new clients, especially during Legal Triage and other events, offering effective, responsive, compassionate, efficient, and zealous representation. The Staff Attorney supervises and directs paralegals or other support staff assigned to client cases.

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## DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

### Immigration Legal Assistance
– Provide representation to clients with cases involving criminal history, immigration law violations, family law issues, removal proceedings, appeals, or other immigration-related matters.
– Prepare, review, revise, and submit documents needed to address clients’ immigration issues, including applications, motions, legal memos, briefs, petitions, or requests before USCIS and/or immigration court.
– Represent individuals before federal, state, or local courts, agencies, or tribunals at all levels, following ethical and professional responsibility obligations and funder requirements.
– Create and communicate timelines and tasks to supervisors, colleagues, subordinate staff, and clients to efficiently resolve issues and achieve the best possible outcomes.
– Work effectively under pressure with urgent deadlines.
– Research and analyze complex and straightforward legal matters, assuming responsibility and risk for case outcomes.
– Screen potential clients for all available immigration benefits and assess their ability to pursue them successfully.
– Communicate assessments of clients’ immigration circumstances, including rights, requirements, and deadlines.
– Stay up to date with changes in immigration law and related developments.
– Make appropriate referrals for services beyond program scope or personal competencies.
– Assume caseloads of departing staff as needed.

### Staff Supervision
– Review all applications and documents prepared by subordinate staff before submission to USCIS, Immigration Court, or other tribunals. Provide revisions and direction as needed.
– Provide coaching and mentorship to colleagues and subordinate staff to improve knowledge, skills, accuracy, and service quality.

### Customer Service and Community Outreach
– Communicate with clients professionally, respectfully, compassionately, and with sensitivity to trauma.
– Maintain regular communication with clients, providing updates at least every 90 days.
– Respond to client communications within 48–72 hours.
– Participate in in-person legal screening events, community presentations, and special events, including Saturday Legal Triage (7 AM–11 AM monthly).

### Reporting Obligations and Program Efficiency
– Update case notes within 48–72 hours of any development or client interaction.
– Update and maintain databases, tracking sheets, and other required documents.
– Work diligently with staff to represent clients ethically, efficiently, and properly to maximize outcomes and meet funder deliverables.
– Perform other duties as necessary to address urgent issues within assigned teams or the legal department.

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## SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

### Required
– Active attorney license and good standing with the CA State Bar.
– At least one year of experience practicing immigration law.
– Demonstrated commitment to social justice and progressive social change.
– High level of integrity and ability to maintain confidentiality.
– Strong oral and written communication skills.
– Flexibility to work early mornings, evenings, and Saturdays.
– Ability to travel in and out of California.

### Preferred
– Fluency or high proficiency in Spanish or other languages.
– Experience assisting noncitizens applying for a wide variety of immigration benefits before USCIS and/or Immigration Court.
– Engaging communication skills for diverse audiences and collaborative networks.
– Excellent problem-solving, strategic thinking, and analytical skills.
– Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
– Experience providing direct services in a nonprofit setting.
– Experience working with survivors of trauma, violence, or human trafficking.
– Experience working with underserved and diverse populations.
– Comfort working in collaborative, consultative environments.

### Desired Traits or Characteristics
– Highly self-motivated, creative, proactive, quick learner, flexible, and able to work as part of an interdisciplinary legal team.
– Demonstrated ability to work effectively with colleagues of diverse backgrounds in person and remotely.
– Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships within teams and across the organization.
– Proactive approach to responsibilities, task completion, and use of technology to maximize efficiency.
– Strong commitment to CHIRLA’s mission of empowering low-income community groups.

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## JOB TITLE
**Staff Attorney**

## Salary & Benefits
$78,000 range based on experience.
CHIRLA offers competitive salary and excellent benefits, including generous time off, 401K plan, and health, dental, and vision plans.

## FLSA Classification
Exempt/Hourly, full-time regular.

## Classification
This position is included in CHIRLA’s bargaining unit affiliated with AFSCME Local 4501 and covered under the collective bargaining agreement.

## Reports To
Managing Attorney or Supervising Staff Attorney.

## Closing Date
Position will remain open until filled.

## Location
Multiple branch office locations available.

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## Equal Opportunity Statement
CHIRLA is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions based on merit. It prohibits discrimination based on pregnancy, genetic information, race, religion, color, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, medical condition, marital status, age (40+), sexual orientation, HIV/AIDS status, military or veteran status, or any other protected category. Discrimination based on perception of these characteristics or association with someone who has them is also prohibited.

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