Immigrant Defenders Law Center (“ImmDef”) is a next-generation, social justice law firm that provides high-quality representation and legal services to immigrants in Southern California and beyond. ImmDef was founded with the belief that no immigrant should be forced to face an unjust immigration system alone and our universal representation programs are a first step towards that goal. Learn more about us at www.immdef.org.
ImmDef represents thousands of adults, children, and families annually who have multi-faceted, complex, and urgent legal needs as they face our unjust immigration system.
ImmDef is seeking a full-time Staff Attorney with experience or a strong interest in complex removal defense to join our team of fearless advocates. This position will focus on representing individuals facing complex immigration legal issues, particularly those involving criminal convictions, prior involvement in the criminal legal system, immigration detention, and barriers to relief from removal.
This role is ideal for an attorney who is passionate about the intersection of criminal and immigration law and interested in developing creative legal strategies involving detention and bond advocacy, habeas corpus litigation, post-conviction relief, and post-order representation. The attorney will represent detained and non-detained individuals at various stages of immigration proceedings, including those seeking to reopen their cases or challenge their detention or removal orders.
Staff attorneys will join the largest nonprofit universal representation deportation defense team in California and play a critical role in advancing ImmDef's work on behalf of immigrants facing some of the most challenging legal circumstances.
Job Responsibilities
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Direct Representation & Legal Strategy
- Provide direct representation in complex removal defense matters, including cases involving criminal convictions, pending criminal charges, prior removal orders, and other challenging legal circumstances.
- Analyze the immigration consequences of criminal convictions and pending charges, including eligibility for relief, grounds of removability, and potential avenues for challenging removal.
- Identify and pursue forms of immigration relief, including asylum, withholding of removal, CAT protection, cancellation of removal, and other applicable defenses.
- Develop creative legal strategies to address complex procedural and substantive immigration issues.
- Prepare and submit applications, declarations, legal briefs, motions, and supporting evidence.
Detention, Bond & Federal Court Advocacy
- Represent detained individuals in immigration proceedings, including custody redetermination and bond hearings.
- Evaluate and pursue legal strategies challenging immigration detention, including habeas corpus petitions in federal district court, as appropriate.
- Analyze detention authority, bond eligibility, and constitutional and statutory challenges to prolonged or unlawful detention.
- Advocate for clients' release from immigration custody through available administrative and judicial remedies.
Post-Conviction & Post-Order Legal Strategies
- Analyze the immigration consequences of criminal convictions and identify potential opportunities for post-conviction relief (PCR).
- Collaborate with ImmDef's Post-Conviction Relief team, criminal defense attorneys, and external legal partners to evaluate cases and facilitate referrals for appropriate post-conviction remedies.
- Evaluate the impact of successful post-conviction relief on clients' immigration cases, including potential eligibility for relief from removal or reopening of prior proceedings.
- Prepare and file motions to reopen or reconsider removal proceedings, including cases involving vacated convictions or other changes in legal circumstances.
- Provide post-order legal services, including evaluating and pursuing available administrative and judicial remedies for individuals with final orders of removal.
- Research and apply evolving immigration and criminal law jurisprudence to develop effective legal strategies.
Court & Agency Representation
- Represent clients before EOIR immigration courts, including at Master Calendar hearings, Individual Merits hearings, and custody redetermination hearings.
- Represent clients before USCIS, ICE, and other relevant agencies, as appropriate.
- Prepare and file administrative appeals, motions to reopen or reconsider, requests for stays of removal, and other legal filings.
- Coordinate with appellate and federal litigation teams on complex legal issues and cases requiring additional litigation support.
Client-Centered Advocacy
- Provide trauma-informed, client-centered legal services to individuals facing complex legal and personal circumstances.
- Conduct client interviews and provide legal counseling in detention facilities, jails, and community settings.
- Work with experts, including psychologists and mitigation specialists, as appropriate, to develop evidence and legal arguments in cases involving criminal histories or other complex circumstances.
- Clearly communicate legal options, risks, and case strategies to clients, including those facing detention or imminent removal.
Collaboration & Teamwork
- Work collaboratively with managing and directing attorneys, paralegals, case managers, and other members of ImmDef's legal teams.
- Coordinate with internal and external legal partners on cases involving overlapping criminal, immigration, and post-conviction issues.
- Participate in case rounds, legal trainings, and mentorship opportunities.
- Support ImmDef's broader advocacy efforts, including community education, legal training, and strategic partnerships.
Compensation & Benefits
- Starting salary: $82,000–$97,000, depending on experience (DOE).
- This position is part of the ImmDef employee union bargaining unit. Salary calculations are based on experience pursuant to the terms of our union collective bargaining agreement.
- ImmDef covers California Bar Dues (or equivalent in one other jurisdiction) for all attorneys.
- Generous Medical, Vision, and Dental insurance packages, as well as Medical and Dependent Care FSA options, and 4% 401K Employer Matching.
Holidays and Paid Time Off
- 13 paid holidays
- 1-week paid winter break between Christmas Eve and New Year's
- 15 vacation days per year
- 15 sick days per year
Required Qualifications
- Juris Doctorate degree or L.L.M. degree;
- Active California State Bar License or licensure from another state or U.S. jurisdiction and, if required, willingness and eligibility to "waive into" the CA Bar via the Multi-Jurisdictional Practice Program;
- Strong case management, legal research, and legal writing skills;
- Willingness to zealously pursue new and untested legal theories;
- Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work under pressure;
- Commitment to working in a diverse professional environment;
- Passion for social justice for immigrants required.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience analyzing immigration consequences of criminal convictions (e.g., aggravated felonies, CIMTs, controlled substance offenses), including working with or alongside Public Defender offices.
- Experience with any of the following forms of immigration cases is helpful: asylum/WOR/CAT, special immigrant juvenile status (child custody/family court/guardianship), cancellation, waivers, adjustment of status, immigration consequences of criminal convictions, bond, humanitarian parole, post-conviction relief, habeas petitions, BIA appeals, motions to reopen, naturalization.
- At least two years experience in immigration law (non-profit or private practice) preferred, but we are ready and able to provide training;
- Experience working with survivors is helpful, including populations that have experienced trauma, abuse and persecution;
- Knowledge of best practices in working with clients with mental competency issues, including those suffering from mental health challenges and children, is a plus;
- Commitment to working in a diverse professional environment.
DACA Recipients encouraged to apply!
Language Proficiency
Spanish language proficiency is preferred but not required; fluency in other languages is also helpful.
Additional Information
You can learn more about ImmDef's programs, services and client populations at www.immdef.org.
ImmDef is considering applicants for any of our Greater Los Angeles Area offices, but particularly needs attorneys in Los Angeles and Riverside.
To see all of ImmDef's current job openings please visit www.immdef.org/jobs, or view this job post directly at: https://secure.beyondpay.com/ta/CSIDL1.careers?ShowJob=906101317
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