Immigration Attorney

Job Title:                            Immigration Attorney

FLSA Classification:         Exempt

Reports To:                        Practice Group Director

Supervises:                        Paralegals and Legal Secretaries as required

Compensation:                  $78,000.00 - $115,000.00 annually

Inland Counties Legal Services is seeking an Immigration Attorney to join our Immigration Team in Riverside.  Inland Counties Legal Services, Inc. is a nonprofit organization providing legal services to low-income persons residing in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. ICLS targets services to seniors and those in the greatest social or economic need. Legal services are provided by attorneys, or paralegals under the direct supervision of an attorney. Levels of service include advice and counsel, limited action (includes negotiations and preparation of legal documents), as well as direct representation before administrative law and civil courts.  ICLS provides legal assistance in a variety of areas of law. The eight practice groups are: Outreach, Consumer, Housing, Family Law, Immigration, Systemic and Impact, Health Law, and Public Benefits. Visit our website at www.inlandlegal.org for more information.

Overview of Position

The Immigration Practice Group assists victims of domestic violence and related crimes obtain or maintain lawful status.  Applicants with experience working with victims are strongly preferred. 

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

·         Experience with U visas, VAWA, T visas, hardship waivers, and removal proceedings preferred. Law school clinic, internships and externship experience will also be considered. The attorney will represent clients before USCIS and Immigration Court.

·         The attorney will also be responsible for outreach and community engagement.  Excellent interpersonal skills are a must as the attorney will represent ICLS and its Immigration Practice Group while at outreach events, meetings with government organizations, other legal services and community-based organizations.

• Review closing letters of non-attorney intake staff to ensure accuracy of legal advice;
• Ensure that emergency matters are identified, and timely and accurately referred to appropriate ICLS staff;
• Provide real-time daily backup and legal support to intake staff in all 5 ICLS offices;
• Provide accurate and helpful legal information, technical assistance, and referrals; and ensure that the intake staff does the same;
• Identify matters that fall within the priorities of ICLS’s programs, and ensure that such matters are promptly, efficiently and accurately transmitted to the appropriate ICLS programs for timely assistance;
• Assist in preparing reports;
• Perform related tasks consistent with skills, abilities, and general responsibilities as assigned to support ICLS.
• Work closely with other PGDs;
• Ensure timely and appropriate responses to incoming requests for legal assistance;
• Explore new models for service delivery utilizing technology; and
• Ensure that legal services provided are consistent with ICLS’s priorities, policies and procedures, and that they maximize office resources to provide the highest quality client
•  Performs other duties as assigned by managing attorney or supervisors.

Desired Education and Experience

• ·         Degree from law school and active member of the California Bar in good standing.
• ·         Ability to understand the objectives of poverty law
• ·         Prior work experience paid or volunteer, in legal service office serving low-income clients is considered and asset for employment.
• ·         Minimum of two years of experience in immigration is preferred
• ·         Strong written, verbal and interviewing skills            
• ·         Patient and flexible

The recognition of our common humanity is the first step in fostering a diverse environment. The sum of our unique differences is greater than our individual parts. Our unique stories and experiences allow us to better solve the challenges that our community faces. Staff approach professional relationships with humility across the spectrum of diversity, including race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, immigrant status, religious identity, physical and mental disabilities, and/or limited English proficiency with a willingness to consider unique perspectives. Inland Counties Legal Services provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.