JOB POSTING: LEGAL EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVE ATTORNEY 

ABOUT CCIJ 

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The California Collaborative for Immigrant Justice (CCIJ) utilizes coordination, advocacy, and legal services to fight for the liberation of immigrants in detention in California. We seek to empower immigrants in and at risk of detention through technical assistance, education, and participatory defense strategies, while also advancing advocacy, policy and litigation initiatives consistent with the goals of abolition and freedom for immigrants in detention. We are a statewide organization headquartered in Oakland, CA and our 18 staff members are located throughout the state.  

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THE POSITION

 

The Legal Empowerment Initiative (LEI) is a community-led project to provide legal and accompaniment support for unrepresented immigrants with cases before Concord EOIR. CCIJ is hiring a Legal Empowerment Initiative Attorney to oversee the legal services portion of the program. This includes coordination of the Attorney of the Day services and pro se legal clinics. The Coordinator will also work with LEI’s Welcoming Volunteers and accompaniment volunteers to ensure that legal services are responsive to community needs and part of a larger community defense strategy.  

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ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS 

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• Coordinate AOD coverage for the anticipated 40 master calendar hearings per month at the Concord EOIR.

• Provide trainings and support for AOD attorneys on procedures and logistics for AOD at Concord EOIR. 

• Appear in court as needed to serve as AOD for master calendar hearings at Concord EOIR (approximately 12 calendar days per month). 

• Coordinate regular legal clinics to empower unrepresented people to self-advocate in EOIR proceedings, including on the following topics: 

  • Assistance completing the asylum application (Form I-589); 

  • Assistance filing change of venue motions (for individuals who have moved and need to transfer their cases to another EOIR location); 

  • Assistance completing forms for individuals who need to apply for a form of relief for deportation not granted by the court (e.g., family-based petitions, TPS); and/or 

  • Education on the work permit process and assistance completing work permit applications. 

• ​Oversee data collection and processing to evaluate program impact and identify issues for advocacy. 

• In partnership with Community Defense Coordinator, connect unrepresented individuals who receive legal services to accompaniment and navigation services. 

• Supervise attorneys and other staff providing LEI legal and pro se support.  

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REQUIREMENTS

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• Member of a State Bar (California membership preferred); 

• Minimum of 2 years of experience representing detained immigrants in removal proceedings and/or federal court litigation;

• Fluent in Spanish (i.e. able to speak to clients in Spanish without an interpreter and able translate written materials in English to Spanish); 

• Experience (personal and/or professional) with populations CCIJ serves, including people in detention, immigrant communities, and individuals who have been impacted by the criminal legal system; and

• Ability and willingness to regularly travel to the Concord EOIR location and travel throughout the East Bay and Central Valley as needed for clinics, including some evenings and weekends; and 

• Willingness to regularly travel to California immigrant detention centers in Kern County and CCIJ headquarters in Oakland if located outside of the Bay Area.  

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WORK ENVIRONMENT

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CCIJ’S office is located in Oakland, CA. Remote work is possible, but candidates must reside in California. CCIJ hosts regular in-person events for the whole team throughout the year to collaborate on projects and to celebrate our collective wins. 

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COMPENSATION

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The salary range is $90,000-$115,000. Actual salary will be set based on CCIJ’s compensation policy.  Benefits include 4-day work week, medical, dental, vision, Flex Spending/Dependent Care Accounts, 403(b) retirement plan, wellness stipend, and vacation leave (accrued at 3 weeks per year, plus PTO), plus holiday closures, which includes additional office closure around the December holidays.

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TO APPLY

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Position open until filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as candidates will be considered on a rolling basis. Submit via email only a cover letter and resume. Include “CCIJ - LEI Attorney” in the subject line of the email.  Please email application materials directly to admin@ccijustice.org. California Collaborative for Immigrant Justice is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in both its staff and work. 

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