Staff Attorney (Crimmigration Specialist / Public Defender Partnership)

General Information

• Job Title: Staff Attorney (Crimmigration Specialist / Public Defender Partnership)
• Location: 634 S. Spring Street, 10th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90014, United States
• Base Pay: $75000.00 - $90000.00 / Year
• Employee Type: FT Exempt
• Job Category: Legal, Immigration, Non- Profit
• Industry: Legal, Immigration , Non-Profit
• Manage Others: No

Description

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.

Position Summary

ImmDef is seeking a full-time Staff Attorney with experience or strong interest in crimmigration to join our team of fearless advocates. This position will focus on representing clients referred by Public Defender offices, including individuals currently in criminal proceedings as well as former clients with prior convictions impacting their immigration status.

This role is ideal for an attorney who is passionate about the intersection of criminal and immigration law, and who is eager to engage in complex removal defense, post-conviction strategy, and collaborative advocacy with public defenders.

Staff attorneys will join the largest non-profit, universal representation deportation defense team in California and will play a critical role in advancing ImmDef’s work at the intersection of criminal justice and immigration systems.

Job Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Direct Representation & Legal Strategy

• Provide direct representation in removal proceedings for clients with current or prior involvement in the criminal legal system, including detained and non-detained adults
• Analyze the immigration consequences of criminal convictions and pending charges and develop strategic case plans
• Identify and pursue forms of immigration relief, including asylum, withholding of removal, CAT, cancellation of removal, and other applicable defenses
• Prepare and submit applications, declarations, legal briefs, and supporting evidence

Crimmigration & Post-Conviction Collaboration

• Identify cases requiring post-conviction relief (PCR) and collaborate with ImmDef’s Post-Conviction Relief team and/or external partners
• Work closely with Public Defender offices and appointed criminal defense counsel to:
  • Advise on immigration consequences of pleas and convictions
  • Coordinate defense strategies that mitigate immigration harm
  • Support clients navigating both criminal and immigration proceedings
• Analyze and apply evolving case law at the intersection of criminal and immigration law

Court & Agency Representation

• Represent clients in immigration court, including at Master calendar hearings, Individual merits hearings, and Custody redetermination (bond) hearings
• Represent clients before USCIS and other agencies, including asylum interviews and ICE check-ins
• File appeals, motions to reopen or reconsider, and habeas petitions, as appropriate

Client-Centered Advocacy

• Provide trauma-informed, client-centered legal services to individuals facing complex legal and personal circumstances
• Work with experts, including psychologists and mitigation specialists, to support cases involving criminal histories
• Conduct client interviews in detention facilities, jails, or community settings

Collaboration & Teamwork

• Work collaboratively with managing and directing attorneys, paralegals, and case managers
• Participate in case rounds, legal trainings, and mentorship opportunities
• Support ImmDef’s broader advocacy efforts, including community education and partnerships with defender organizations

Requirements

• 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 working with or alongside Public Defender offices and/or analyzing immigration consequences of criminal convictions (e.g., aggravated felonies, CIMTs, controlled substance offenses).
• 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.
• Experience in immigration law (non-profit or private practice) is a plus, but not required as 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!