Removal Defense Managing Attorney

Removal Defense Managing Attorney

Work Location: Anaheim, CA.

Term: Full-time, occasional evening and weekends required

Position Status: Exempt

Pay Range: $105,000-$115,000 per year commensurate with experience.

Reports to: Immigrants' Rights Managing Attorney

Generous Benefits: 100% employer-paid medical and dental insurance for employees & dependents, 3% employer-matched retirement plan, 12 vacation days, 10 sick days and 10 holidays, hybrid work schedule utilized through June 2023. Budget for legal association membership fee, bar license renewal fee, CLE funding support, and malpractice insurance.

Requirements: Must have proof of COVID-19 Vaccination/Boosters.

About Us: Join the largest American Muslim civil rights organization at the frontlines in protecting the rights of free speech, to freely practice one's faith, to pursue employment opportunities without harassment, and to live as an active and engaged American without reprisal. The Council on American-Islamic Relations, California (CAIR-CA) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3), grassroots civil rights and advocacy group. In additional to civil rights and advocacy, CAIR-CA aims to increase access to and provide culturally competent immigration legal services to refugees, asylum seekers, and the immigrant community in California. We recognize that our employees are passionate, and talented and are our most valuable resource. With such an important vision to be a leading advocate for justice and mutual understanding, our diverse workforce stands together to demonstrate our values for everyone who chooses to join the efforts.

About the Role: The Removal Defense Managing Attorney is primarily responsible for managing all Removal Defense caseload work as well as leading strategic efforts and planning for Removal Defense cases for the Immigrants' Rights Center (IRC) alongside the Managing Immigrants' Rights Attorney. This includes overseeing Removal Defense attorneys and support staff, Removal Defense related casework and representation, and strategizing on various IRC efforts.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage a full caseload that mostly consists of Removal Defense cases before EOIR.
• Oversee and delegate work of Removal Defense attorneys, legal administrative staff, case workers, and volunteers, including law students and interns, and ensure their success by providing training, consultation, and guidance as needed.
• Develop, update, and maintain office procedures and immigration training material to ensure continuity and legal services are current in accordance with organizational standards and federal and state law respectively.
• Lead strategic efforts to sustain Removal Defense work, including recruitment, retention, funding streams, community engagement, outreach, etc.
• Collaborate with the grants team to ensure the successful submission and completion of grants, including support in preparing grant applications, ensuring the successful completion of deliverables, and overseeing grant reports.
• Market immigration services, includes demonstrating an accurate and up-to-date understanding of CAIR's services to community members, leaders, and other stakeholders.
• Participate in, lead, and/or form coalitions with partner organizations, while collaborating with and uplifting immigrant communities and immigrant-led organizations.
• Oversee and participate in community outreach and educational activities, including planning and conducting legal clinics, KYRs, and other community events.
• Oversee the production of certain internal and external reports, including data collection, testimonials, and narrative writing.
• Support interdepartmental collaboration by providing recommendations regarding client-to-service pipeline, funding or programming opportunities, client-informed concerns, and other potential areas of overlap.
• Develop, update, and maintain office procedures and immigration training material to ensure continuity and legal services are current in accordance with organizational standards and federal and state law respectively.
• Prepare immigration applications and petitions for submission to the appropriate agency and provide full-scope representation before USCIS and EOIR.
• Research and analyze legal sources such as statutes, legal articles, and legal codes to prepare legal documents such as memos, training material, advisories, motions and appeals.
• Provide in-house referrals for callers with issues within CAIR's scope of legal expertise or refer out to external practitioners for callers with issues outside of CAIR's scope of legal expertise.
• Other office duties as needed including day-to-day operational tasks and assisting with organizational fundraising events.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Law degree from an American Bar Association-accredited school required.
• Licensed to practice law in at least one state is required. Preferred licensed in CA Bar.
• At least 5 years of immigration experience, including 3 years of experience in Removal Defense cases is required.
• At least 3 years of experience in areas of asylum, TPS, family-based petitions, Removal Defense, and naturalization is required.
• At least 3 years of experience in supervising, mentoring, and/or training attorneys and other staff is required.
• Fluent/proficient in one of the following languages: Arabic, Farsi/Dari, Pashto, or Urdu is preferred.
• Experience working with nonprofit organizations and the Muslim community is preferred.
• Strong time management skills with a demonstrated ability for meeting deadlines.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills with outstanding attention to detail.
• Ability to be productive in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills including public speaking experience.
• Experience working with people from diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Access to reliable transportation to drive to various Southern California cities for client interviews and hearings.
• Ability to maintain discretion and client confidentiality.
• High degree of self-motivation and creativity.
• A strong commitment to CAIR's mission.
• Experience in case management software.
• Basic computer proficiency including knowledge of MS Office Suite.
• Knowledge of cloud applications such as SharePoint, Office365 and social media applications.

TO APPLY

Please upload a (1) cover letter, (2) your resume, and (3) a writing sample under five pages.

Equal Employment Opportunity: CAIR-CA is firmly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and to compliance with all Federal, State, and local laws that prohibit employment discrimination based on age, race, color, gender, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status and other protected classifications.