Immigration Staff Attorney

STAFF IMMIGRATION ATTORNEYUnaccompanied Children and Immigrant Youth ProgramTHE ORGANIZATIONAl Otro Lado is a binational legal services and immigrant rights organization servingimmigrants, asylum seekers and deported persons in Southern California, Tijuana, México, andbeyond. We approach cases using a multidisciplinary, client-centered, harm reduction-basedlens, and engage in zealous individual representation, medical-legal partnerships, human rightsmonitoring and impact litigation to protect the rights of individual immigrants and challengesystemic practices that violate the human rights of immigrant communities. We leverage vitalpartnerships with community-based organizations and academic institutions, and engagethousands of volunteers to maximize our impact and help build a broad-based immigrantjustice movement.For more information about our organization, please visit us on our website at: alotrolado.org/or visit us on social media: Instagram and Twitter: @alotrolado_org; Facebook: Al Otro Lado.ATTORNEY(UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN & IMMIGRANT YOUTH REPRESENTATION)Al Otro Lado is seeking a bilingual Spanish-speaking Staff Attorney for the U.S. BasedAdvocacy team's Unaccompanied Minor and Immigrant Youth Representation program. TheUS. Based Advocacy team provides holistic, full-scale representation to particularly vulnerableimmigrants, including unaccompanied children, members of the LGBTQA+ community,Indigenous migrants, Black migrants, torture survivors, survivors of human trafficking, clientswith disabiltiies/medical vulnerabilities, and clients whose cases present family unity concerns.Our holistic representation strategy includes identifying a client's needs, goals, and challenges,and seeking to achieve their best immigration outcomes, not only through legal services butalso by connecting individuals with support to overcome the non-legal obstacles they face intheir cases.The Attorney will work under the supervision of the Managing Attorney, and work within a teamof staff attorneys and legal assistants working with unaccompanied minors seeking forms ofrelief including Special Immigrant Juvenile Status ("SIJS"), asylum, and other humanitarianprotections as relevant.The Attorney will be based out of Al Otro Lado's Los Angeles office and will have theopportunity to work a hybrid in-person/remote model with in-person duties as needed to serveour client population. In-person duties may include attending court hearings, ICE check-in's,USCIS interviews, and in-person client meetings. Court hearings and other in-person tasksmay require travel throughout the Southern California region, and potentially other locations asassigned.JOB DUTIESJob responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:Provide direct representation to unaccompanied children and immigrant youth located inSouthern California.Represent clients before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services ("USCIS"), theExecutive Office for Immigration Review ("EOIR"), and California state courts (Family andProbate).Peer Review: Review and provide feedback for applications for relief prepared by teammembers.Provide support for the legal team in a dynamic immigration environment.Assist in developing and implementing policies, templates, and procedures that increaseeffectiveness and efficiency within our representation workKeep abreast of changes in case, statutory, or regulatory law in relation to SIJ andimmigration law in generalEnsure compliance with Al Otro Lado's data management policies includingrecord-keeping for grants and funders, case management documentation, and internalsystems for fiscal and personnel oversightAssist the managing attorney in the data compilation for and preparation of reports,grant and government contract applications, and program budgetsOther duties as assigned to support the mission of the organizationQUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTSJ.D. degree from an accredited university, with active California State Bar licensePreferred: 1+ years of practical experience in immigration law, preferably working withunaccompanied children / immigrant youthFluency in Spanish and English, including the ability to communicate professionally andin writing in both languagesExcellent legal skills and broad knowledge of immigration law and removal defenseSelf-direction and self-reliance, with exceptional attention to detail and ability to balancemultiple cases, tasks, and deadlinesStrong organizational, written and oral communication skillsFlexible, innovative, and able to quickly adapt to changing program needs asimmigration policies changeAble to work in a fast-paced setting with limited resourcesAdept at learning to use new technology platforms, as well as experience andproficiency with Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat Pro, Zoom, and Google WorkspacetoolsDemonstrated commitment to the mission and values of Al Otro LadoCommitment to working in a diverse professional environment, with a kind andrespectful attitude towards clients, colleagues, and relevant stakeholdersPlease note, this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing ofactivities, 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 idealcandidate will be flexible, adaptive, and enthusiastic about responding to needs as they arise.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 providingservices, including by using a high-quality mask in shared spaces and by testing for COVID ifexperiencing any symptoms.COMPENSATION & BENEFITSThis is a full-time, exempt position with a starting annual salary of $70,304 to $83,000,depending on experience. Al Otro Lado is piloting a 36-hour work week, with a half-day (4hours) on Fridays. Payroll adjustments are made to ensure that all staff receive the same wagesas in a 40-hour work week.Al Otro Lado's comprehensive benefits package includes:Health benefits: Al Otro Lado contributes up to 99% of employee medical & 70% ofemployee dental and vision premiums. Insurance coverage is effective on the 1st of themonth 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: 10 paid holidays observed and 2 paid weeks off for Winter Break inDecember/January.Paid Parental Leave: Supplemental wage integration following the birth of an employee'schild or the placement of a child with an employee in connection with adoption or fostercare.403(B): Retirement plan investment opportunities to include Pre-tax or ROTH options.Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Employer sponsored plan offering mental healthsupport, and legal and financial services.Full-time employees who have completed at least 5 years of continuous full-time servicewith the organization will be eligible to apply for up to eight consecutive weeks ofSabbatical Leave, during which the employee will receive full compensation andcontinue to receive their accrued benefits.APPLICATION PROCESSPlease submit a letter of interest, resume, and three professional references tojobs@alotrolado.org, with Staff Attorney: Unaccompanied Minor and Immigrant YouthRepresentation 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 encouragesapplications from people of color, LGBTQ individuals, formerly incarcerated individuals,individuals with disabilities, and members of underrepresented communities.