CAIR Sacramento Valley/Central California · 4 months ago
Senior Immigrants’ Rights Attorney
Santa Clara, CA
Full-time
Hybrid
Mid, Senior Level
$93K/yr - $112K/yr
3+ years expCAIR Sacramento Valley/Central California is seeking a seasoned and mission-driven Senior Immigrants' Rights Attorney. This role focuses on complex casework and client advocacy for immigrants facing deportation, providing high-quality representation while supporting community defense efforts.
Responsibilities
Carry a substantial but sustainable caseload, primarily centered on detained and non-detained removal defense cases, and provide high quality, client-centered representation to individuals facing removal proceedings
Represent clients before EOIR, BIA, USCIS, ICE, and CBP in asylum, withholding, CAT, cancellation, bond, and other immigration matters
Conduct detailed client intakes, legal screenings, and case assessments
Provide individualized client counseling on immigration options and risks
Prepare and file applications, motions, and appeals for detained and non-detained cases
Prepare and litigate bond motions to secure release for detained clients
Conduct routine visits to detention centers, ensuring access to clients and monitoring conditions affecting representation
Potential opportunities to contribute to impact or strategic litigation, in coordination with CAIR-SFBA and CAIR-CA colleagues, depending on capacity and relevance
Support the development of creative legal arguments that advance immigrants' rights and address systemic challenges
Participate in Know Your Rights presentations, pro se support, and immigration legal clinics, with emphasis on detention-related issues
Collaborate with local coalitions, visitation programs, and immigrant justice networks to expand support for detained immigrants
Conduct case-specific research on statutes, regulations, and case law
Draft motions, appeals, briefs, and other filings with strong attention to detail and client-centered advocacy
Provide technical expertise to colleagues on detained removal defense when requested
Ensure timely and accurate case documentation for grant deliverables
Contribute case narratives and data for grant reporting and fundraising purposes
Provide limited supervision and mentorship to legal staff, such as other attorneys, caseworkers, law clerks, or interns, as assigned
Partner with Communications staff to highlight the impact of detained removal defense
Support organizational events and fundraising initiatives as needed
Qualification
Required
J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school
Licensed to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction; California strongly preferred
Minimum three years of immigration law experience, including significant experience in the courtroom and in filing motions, preferably in an immigration defense context
Demonstrated success handling detained dockets and related relief
Strong client counseling, case preparation, and oral advocacy skills before EOIR and USCIS
Excellent organizational skills and ability to independently manage a complex caseload
Demonstrated commitment to defending low-income immigrants and other vulnerable populations
Flexibility to travel to detention centers, courts, and community sites, including occasional early mornings or evenings
Access to a reliable vehicle and ability to travel to detention centers and courts across the Bay Area
Deep commitment to CAIR-SFBA's mission of defending civil rights and empowering immigrant communities
Preferred
Experience providing mentorship, training, or supervision to legal staff (attorneys, caseworkers, or interns)
Experience with federal appeals or habeas petitions
Experience working in nonprofit, community-based, or faith-based organizations
Conversational proficiency in Arabic, Farsi, Dari, Pashto, or Urdu
Benefits
Fully paid Kaiser Health Insurance and Blue Cross PPO Dental Plan for employee and dependent
401(k) plan with an employer match
12 paid holidays, 10 sick days, and 12 vacation days
Company
CAIR Sacramento Valley/Central California
Empowering American Muslims, Advancing Justice: CAIR-SV/CC champions civil liberties, fosters mutual understanding, and stands as a voice for justice and equity.
11-50 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Early StageCompany data provided by crunchbase