Technical Assistance Removal Defense Staff Attorney – Immigration Unit

About Public Law Center

Founded in 1981, The Public Law Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing free legal services to low income residents and other nonprofits in Orange County. Last year, Public Law Center staff and volunteers provided over 65,000 hours of free legal services in handling over 4,500 cases benefiting low-income children, adults and seniors. The estimated value of this work is roughly $60 million in just the past three years. Our services include counseling, individual representation, community education and strategic policy advocacy and impact litigation to challenge societal injustices.

PLC's Immigration Unit provides fearless direct legal representation to, in addition to coordinating and supervising pro bono representation for, survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, sexual assault, persecution and other crimes (U Visas, T Visas, VAWA, asylum and adjustment of status); children who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected (Special Immigrant Juvenile Status); young people who arrived as children (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals); lawful permanent residents seeking U.S. Citizenship (naturalization); and for immigrants in Immigration Court proceedings (both detained and non-detained removal defense).

About the role

• The Technical Assistance Removal Defense Attorney (TA Attorney) will help increase Public Law Center's capacity to assist immigrants in removal proceedings by recruiting attorneys from the private bar to provide pro bono representation. The TA Attorney will train these pro bono attorneys in removal defense and provide ongoing technical assistance throughout the proceedings. The TA attorney will also have their own removal defense caseload.
• Full-time hybrid position. Travel throughout Orange County and neighboring counties for court, and community presentations and events will be necessary.

What you'll do

• Provide ongoing training mentorship, and technical assistance to attorneys providing pro bono removal defense representation.
• Develop and manage legal workshops/clinics where pro bono services are provided to immigrants in removal defense proceedings.
• Conduct legal screenings and consultations.
• Co-counsel or represent immigrants before EOIR, USCIS, or the 9th Circuit.
• Participate in collaborative advocacy efforts in coalition with other legal service providers and community partners.
• Participate in community education presentations (may include occasional evening or weekend work).

Qualifications

• Active membership in the California State Bar or eligibility to practice under State Bar Multijurisdictional Practice Program. Admitted to practice before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.
• A minimum of 3 years immigration law experience, specifically removal defense, bond proceedings, BIA appeals, and 9th Circuit appeals.
• Demonstrated commitment to working with immigrant communities.
• Strong case management, legal research, and legal writing skills.
• Must have own transportation and insurance.
• Bilingual English/Spanish or other language strongly preferred.

Salary & Benefits

• Compensation dependent on experience range of $83,000-$95,000
• Competitive benefits provided, and for this position include:
• • Health, Dental, Vision, Disability, and Life Insurance (100% of employee premium costs paid by PLC, and 50% of dependent health insurance premium costs paid by PLC)
  • Flexible Spending Account Program to help pay for medical expenses and childcare costs
  • 15 paid holidays per year 
  • Approximately 1 paid week off during office winter closure (between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day)
  • 21 paid sick/wellness days per year
  • 15 paid vacation days per year 
  • 2 paid wellness days per month to promote mental wellness and general wellbeing
  • Birthday paid time off (2 hours of paid time off during birthday month)
  • 403b retirement plan (after 6 months of employment PLC provides a matching contribution equaling 100% of salary deferral up to a maximum of 3-4%, depending on length of employment)
  • Monthly $55 stipend for Wi-Fi and cell phone use
  • Monthly Bilingual Pay Premium upon success