Supervising Attorney - Centro Legal de la Raza

Agency Name: Centro Legal de la Raza

Position / Job Title : Supervising Attorney

Location: Oakland, Ca 94601

Category : Attorney 

Job Description: JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

Position: Supervising Attorney, Securing Safety for Youth and Families, Immigrants’ Rights

Reports to: Managing Attorney

Bargaining Unit: N

FLSA: Exempt

Type: Full time

Immigrants’ Rights Legal Practice

Centro Legal’s immigration legal practice provides comprehensive, full-service direct representation before USCIS and the immigration courts (EOIR), district courts and federal court of appeals. Centro also participates in impact litigation efforts, legal rights education, and local and national advocacy. We represent detained and non-detained immigrants in removal proceedings, as well as in connection with affirmative asylum, humanitarian, and family based applications.

Position Summary & Responsibilities

Centro Legal is seeking two (2) supervising attorneys to join our Security Safety for Youth and Families team within our Immigrants’ Rights practice.

Duties include the following areas of responsibility:

● Directly represent unaccompanied minors and family units in removal proceedings before the San Francisco Immigration Court and Board of Immigration Appeals;

● Prepare and submit applications, legal briefs, and supporting documentation on behalf of clients seeking asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, U/T visa status, and other applications before USCIS and EOIR;

● Represent youth eligible for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status before the California Superior Courts;

● Conduct legal intakes and consultations, assess for eligibility for immigration-related benefits and relief, and assess cases for possible representation;

● Supervise, mentor, and ensure ongoing professional and leadership development for a diverse group of DOJ accredited representatives, paralegals, and/or a social worker, including holding regular check-ins and prioritizing self-care and wellbeing in the assignment of case work;

● With training and support provided or authorized by Centro Legal, continue to develop supervision and leadership skills to develop the experience and capacity to eventually supervise staff attorney(s);

● Conduct trainings for pro bono attorneys and non-legal service providers, deliver Know-Your Rights presentations to community members, and participate in legal consultations at community events;

● Maintain long standing partnerships and cultivate new relationships with school district and community partners to best support recently arrived immigrant youth and families;

● Assist in determining appropriate case stories for use in reports, advocacy materials, and public education and providing expert testimony to media on current immigration law and policy topics; and

● Participate in ongoing trainings to keep up to date on immigration law and professional development to improve client services. 

Qualifications

First and foremost, the applicant must profoundly share Centro Legal’s mission and vision of racial, social and economic justice. Below are additional qualifications:

● Admitted and in good standing with the California State Bar (applicants licensed in other states who commit to taking the California bar exam will also be considered);

● Three years of experience in immigration law, including experience representing asylum seekers, SIJS applicants, and/or unaccompanied minors in removal proceedings;

● Excellent writing, research, analytical, and verbal communication skills;

● A demonstrated commitment to civil liberties, immigrant justice, and public interest law;

● Commitment to holistic legal representation of young people at risk of deportation, including interest in and enthusiasm for working in close partnership with a social worker or case manager to provide wrap-around, trauma-informed services to unaccompanied children;

● Experience working with immigrant and/or youth populations who are overcoming trauma;

● Language requirement: Fluency in English and Spanish strongly preferred. We may consider otherwise strong candidates who satisfy one or both of the following criteria: (1) fluency in English and another language spoken by immigrant communities in the Bay Area or Central Valley; or (2) fluency in English and proficiency in Spanish with a commitment to attaining fluency.

● Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively on projects with lawyers, other staff members, and with diverse community organizations; and

● Demonstrated commitment to diversity within the office and a personal approach that values all individuals and respects differences regarding race, ethnicity, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, ability, socio-economic circumstance, immigration status, and record of arrest or conviction.

Compensation

This is a full time exempt position that is competitive and commensurate with experience ranging from $85,663-$91,936. This is a full time exempt position.

Benefits and Perks:

We offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to include: medical, dental, vision, long-term disability and life insurance. 

Medical coverage ( Kaiser) will be provided at Centro Legal’s expense covering 100%, and 50% for dependents, spouses, and partners. Our alternative health plans with United Health Care at an additional premium cost. 
Additional Benefits include: Health Care FSA, Dependent Care FSA, commuter benefits, pet insurance, and Employee Assistance Plan. 
PTO: Vacation: 0-1 year 16 days per year, 1-2 year 18 days per year, Over 2 years 23 days per year, (1) paid wellness days per month, 12 sick days per year. 
Office Closure: 12 holidays + 8 work days, to include the period from December 24th through January 1st 
COVID 19 Policy 

Proof of completed Covid-19 vaccination to include both shots of a two-dose vaccination regimen, or one dose of a single-dose vaccine, will be required for all employees (except for reasonable accommodations due to medical and/or religious beliefs). All employees must provide HR with their vaccination QR Code by going to https://myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov/.

To Apply

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Submit via email only:

1) Cover letter explaining why you believe your background and experience (professionalor otherwise) make you well-suited to working with immigrant youth who are

overcoming trauma;

2) resume; and

3) a list of three professional references. Include “Supervising Attorney - SSYF” in the subject line. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. Please email application materials directly to jobs@centrolegal.org

THIS POSITION WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL FILLED. WE WILL CONSIDER APPLICATIONS FROM LICENSED ATTORNEYS, LAW GRADUATES AWAITING BAR RESULTS, AND THIRD-YEAR LAW STUDENTS.

About Centro Legal de la Raza

Founded in 1969 and headquartered in Oakland, California, Centro Legal de la Raza (Centro Legal) is a comprehensive legal services and advocacy organization protecting and advancing the rights of immigrant, low-income, and Latino communities through bilingual representation, education, and advocacy. We combine quality legal services with know-your-rights education, affirmative litigation, and youth development, ensuring access to justice for thousands of individuals and families each year throughout Northern and Central California.

For more information, visit our website: https://centrolegal.org/

Diversity Statement

Centro Legal is an equal employment opportunity employer and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, sex (including pregnancy), gender, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, citizenship, age, medical condition including genetic characteristics, mental or physical disability, service in the uniformed services or veteran status, marital status, family responsibilities, caregiver status, sexual orientation, gender identity (including transgender status), gender expression, weight, height, linguistic characteristics (such as accent and limited English proficiency where not substantially job-related), citizenship status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, HIV/AIDs status, conviction/incarceration history (subject to any requirements, exceptions or limitations provided for in the Fair Chance Act or other applicable federal, state, and local law), political affiliation, Union activity, or any other basis prohibited by law. Centro Legal also prohibits discrimination based on a perception that an individual has any of the characteristics of the protected classes listed above, and further prohibits discrimination against an individual who is associated with a person who has, or is perceived to have, any of those characteristics.

Link to Application: https://www.centrolegal.org/careers/