Job Description
Background:
Esperanza Immigrant Rights Project, a program of Catholic Charities of Los Angeles, Inc., is a non-profit law firm which provides community education and legal representation to immigrant adults, families, unaccompanied minors, individuals with mental health issues, and in cases involving crimmigration. Esperanza is one of the few programs across the country that provides services to pro se detained and non-detained immigrants. Esperanza has proudly provided legal services to immigrants and their families in Southern California for over 15 years. More information can be found about Esperanza at www.esperanza-la.org
Responsibilities:
Esperanza seeks a full-time Staff Attorney to work under the supervision of a Managing Attorney to provide legal representation to immigrants in removal proceedings and related state court proceedings. The Staff Attorney will be expected to carry a caseload consisting of a variety of affirmative and defensive immigration cases for both adults and children, with an emphasis on cases involving unaccompanied children.
Representation will include applying for relief such as Asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, Cancellation of Removal, as well as contesting deportation with innovative legal theories.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Juris Doctorate
- Active bar admission or awaiting bar results (California state bar preferred);
- Experience (including internships) in a legal setting (preferably in immigration and/or public interest law);
- Strong organizational, case management, legal research, and legal writing skills;
- Ability to take initiative and work under pressure;
- Willingness to be a team-player with an attitude and aptitude for collaboration;
- Passion for social justice for immigrants and vulnerable communities
Preferred Qualifications
- Proficiency in a second language such as Spanish, French, Mandarin, Portuguese, and Mayan dialect;
- Experience working with vulnerable client populations, particularly with children, families, or clients with mental health issues;