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JOB POSTING: SENIOR ATTORNEY 

Oakland, CA

About California Collaborative for Immigrant Justice

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The California Collaborative for Immigrant Justice (CCIJ) supports innovative approaches to liberation and empowerment of detained immigrants and their communities. We envision a world where everyone’s right to a life free from fear, incarceration (physical or electronic), or family separation is respected. We strive to elevate the lived experiences of detained immigrants by centering their voices and humanity in all our work. We believe that no human should ever be caged, and we understand that true liberation will only be achieved when directly impacted individuals are empowered to demand freedom and respect for their human rights.

 

We seek to empower immigrants in detention and their communities 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. Our work incorporates rapid response, detained representation, legal screenings, and data strategy.

 

The Position

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The Senior Attorney is responsible for implementing CCIJ’s legal strategies to support liberation of immigrants in detention, including utilizing AB3228, a new law that creates a private right of action for detained immigrants to sue private detention operators in California who violate the standards of care in their contracts. The Senior Attorney works with the Legal Director to coordinate the AB3228 Litigation Working Group and leads CCIJ’s AB3228 litigation referral process, including community education and outreach. The Senior Attorney will also provide some individual representation, with a focus on habeas representation.This is an exempt position, with the Senior Attorney reporting to the Legal Director.

 

Essential Job Functions

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The duties and responsibilities commensurate with the role of the Senior Attorney include,

but are not limited to, any combination of the following tasks:

  • Assist with the creation of an AB3228 referral system that allows formerly and currently detained immigrants to receive legal consultations regarding potential AB3228 claims.

  • Review and refer potential AB3228 claims to AB3228 Litigation Working Group.

  • Conduct community education and outreach to impacted communities about AB3228.

  • Provide full legal representation in removal defense and/or custody cases such as habeas petitions or bond hearings.

  • If needed, act as co-counsel in AB3228 litigation.

  • Participate in the development of data and information sharing strategies related to detained removal defense and advocacy work.

  • Assist with advocacy and media outreach for CCIJ and partner organizations.

  • Screen, triage, and assign responsibility for requests for legal assistance received through CCIJ remote legal clinics and hotline calls.

  • Conduct and/or coordinate follow up on detained cases referred through CCIJ hotline and remote clinics, including but not limited to consultations with detainees and/or their families, providing legal materials, referring cases for pro bono representation, and flagging issues related to abuse, compliance, and/or advocacy needs.

  • Participate in and lead detention visits as needed.

 

Requirements

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  • Member of California State Bar;

  • Minimum of 5 years of experience representing detained immigrants in removal proceedings and/or federal court litigation;

  • Knowledge and experience filing habeas petitions preferred;

  • Must be fully 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

  • Willingness to travel to California immigrant detention centers in Kern and Imperial counties.

  • CCIJ has a hybrid work model; candidates are allowed to work remotely but must live within driving distance of our Oakland office.

 

Salary Range

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The salary range for this position is $80,000-$85,000. Benefits include health, dental, Flex Spending/Dependent Care/Parking/Transportation Accounts, 403(b) retirement plan, and three (3) weeks of paid time off per year, plus holiday closures, which includes additional office closure around the December holidays.

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To Apply

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Applications, including a detailed cover letter explaining your interest in the position, resume, and at least two references, should be submitted online at: admin@ccijustice.org, with the subject line “Senior Attorney Position.” Applications that do not contain all of the above-listed required materials will not be considered.

 

Applications should be submitted as soon as possible. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled, and applicants will be notified once they are selected for an interview or no longer under consideration. Please no inquiries or phone calls.

 

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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