Civil Rights Attorney Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

CAIR San Francisco Bay Area is seeking a seasoned and mission-driven Senior Immigrants' Rights Attorney. This position is ideal for an experienced attorney who thrives on complex casework and client advocacy, with a focus on serving immigrants in detention and those facing deportation.

The Senior Attorney will carry a significant caseload centered on detained removal defense, including bond hearings, detained dockets, and related forms of relief. The attorney will also support CAIR-SFBA's rapid response and community defense efforts, ensuring due process for immigrants facing deportation and detention in the Bay Area. This is a senior level role, designed for someone who brings extensive experience in removal defense and is ready to provide high-quality representation while advancing CAIR-SFBA's mission of protecting civil rights and empowering immigrant communities.

This position offers an opportunity to do high impact case work in a collaborative, values-driven environment that prioritizes shared knowledge and experience, mentorship and collective problem-solving. You will be working for some of the most vulnerable people on one of the defining issues for our time.

Title: Senior Immigrants' Rights Attorney

Location: Based in CAIR's Santa Clara office. CAIR staff are currently working a hybrid schedule, with three days in-person and two days remote

Schedule Type: Full-time (Exempt). Occasional evenings and weekends required

Reporting Relationships: Reports to the Immigrants' Rights Managing Attorney

Caseload & Support Structure: This role is supported by the Immigrants' Rights Managing Attorney, legal support staff, and CAIR-CA's statewide immigration team. Caseloads are actively monitored to ensure sustainability, with internal review of filings, access to consultation on complex cases, and shared strategy on detained matters. CAIR-SFBA is committed to a collaborative approach and holistic engagement in detained defense work.

Work Authorization: Must be authorized to work in the United States. Ability to travel throughout the Bay Area is required (vehicle and driver's license necessary)

• Carry a substantial but sustainable caseload, primarily centered on detained and non-detained removal defense cases, and provide high quality, client-centered representation to individuals facing removal proceedings
• Represent clients before EOIR, BIA, USCIS, ICE, and CBP in asylum, withholding, CAT, cancellation, bond, and other immigration matters
• Conduct detailed client intakes, legal screenings, and case assessments
• Provide individualized client counseling on immigration options and risks
• Prepare and file applications, motions, and appeals for detained and non-detained cases
• Prepare and litigate bond motions to secure release for detained clients
• Conduct routine visits to detention centers, ensuring access to clients and monitoring conditions affecting representation

• Potential opportunities to contribute to impact or strategic litigation, in coordination with CAIR-SFBA and CAIR-CA colleagues, depending on capacity and relevance
• Support the development of creative legal arguments that advance immigrants' rights and address systemic challenges

• Participate in Know Your Rights presentations, pro se support, and immigration legal clinics, with emphasis on detention-related issues
• Collaborate with local coalitions, visitation programs, and immigrant justice networks to expand support for detained immigrants

• Conduct case-specific research on statutes, regulations, and case law
• Draft motions, appeals, briefs, and other filings with strong attention to detail and client-centered advocacy
• Provide technical expertise to colleagues on detained removal defense when requested

• Ensure timely and accurate case documentation for grant deliverables
• Contribute case narratives and data for grant reporting and fundraising purposes

• Provide limited supervision and mentorship to legal staff, such as other attorneys, caseworkers, law clerks, or interns, as assigned
• Partner with Communications staff to highlight the impact of detained removal defense
• Support organizational events and fundraising initiatives as needed

As with all CAIR staff, this role occasionally supports general office needs and organizational priorities.

• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school
• Licensed to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction; California strongly preferred
• Minimum three years of immigration law experience, including significant experience in the courtroom and in filing motions, preferably in an immigration defense context
• Demonstrated success handling detained dockets and related relief
• Strong client counseling, case preparation, and oral advocacy skills before EOIR and USCIS
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to independently manage a complex caseload
• Demonstrated commitment to defending low-income immigrants and other vulnerable populations
• Flexibility to travel to detention centers, courts, and community sites, including occasional early mornings or evenings
• Access to a reliable vehicle and ability to travel to detention centers and courts across the Bay Area
• Deep commitment to CAIR-SFBA's mission of defending civil rights and empowering immigrant communities

• Experience providing mentorship, training, or supervision to legal staff (attorneys, caseworkers, or interns)
• Experience with federal appeals or habeas petitions
• Experience working in nonprofit, community-based, or faith-based organizations
• Conversational proficiency in Arabic, Farsi, Dari, Pashto, or Urdu

• Compensation in the range of $105,000-120,000 annually, commensurate with experience
• Fully paid Kaiser Health Insurance and Blue Cross PPO Dental Plan for employee and dependent
• 401(k) plan with an employer match
• 12 paid holidays, 10 sick days, and 12 vacation days

To Apply: Please submit (1) a cover letter discussing your interest and relevant experience, especially with detained removal defense; (2) your resume; (3) a short legal writing sample; and (4) the names and contact information of three references.

CAIR-CA is an equal-opportunity employer and adheres to all federal, state, and local laws prohibiting employment discrimination.