Removal Defense Staff Attorney San Diego Office

THE ORGANIZATION

Al Otro Lado is a binational legal services and immigrant rights organization serving immigrants, asylum seekers, and deported persons in Southern California, Tijuana, México, and beyond. We provide client-centered, multidisciplinary legal representation, engage in human rights monitoring and impact litigation, and work to protect individual rights while addressing systemic barriers within immigration and border enforcement systems.

Our work is grounded in principles of dignity, access to justice, and harm reduction, and we collaborate closely with community-based organizations, academic institutions, and public interest partners. Through these partnerships, and with the support of hundreds of trained volunteers each year, we seek to deliver high-quality legal services and contribute to sustainable, community-informed approaches to immigrant justice.

For more information about our organization, please visit us on our website at: alotrolado.org/ or visit us on social media: @alotrolado_org (Instagram & Threads); Al Otro Lado (Facebook); @Al Otro Lado (Linkedin).

THE REMOVAL DEFENSE STAFF ATTORNEY POSITION

Al Otro Lado is seeking a Removal Defense Staff Attorney to work with our US-based advocacy department. The Removal Defense Staff Attorney will be based out of Al Otro Lado’s San Diego office. The Staff Attorney will provide legal consultation and representation services to individuals placed in removal proceedings before the Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR). Staff Attorney must be able to regularly travel to in-person court hearings, immigration detention centers, ICE check-ins, and other appointments as necessary for representation in the San Diego County and Imperial County area.

The Removal Defense Staff Attorney will handle cases for matters on the detained, non-detained, and NQRP dockets in San Diego County and Imperial County areas. The Removal Defense Staff Attorney will work under the direct supervision of the Managing Accredited Representative for Removal Defense and in collaboration with colleagues in the San Diego County, Imperial County, and Los Angeles offices.

JOB DUTIES

Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Provide representation to immigrants before the Executive Office of Immigration Review (non-detained and detained), United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, CA State, and the US District court proceedings related to clients’ removal proceedings cases
Conduct initial client intake/consultations and evaluate eligibility for immigration benefits
Maintain accurate, complete, and confidential case files
Assign casework to legal support staff, including legal assistants and administrative staff, and provide a review
Coordinate closely within our multidisciplinary teams to identify needs and facilitate referrals to services offered in-house and through partnerships with external providers
Stay up to date on rapidly changing immigration laws and policies
Participate in administrative team meetings, agency meetings, collaborative/coalition meetings, AILA liaison meetings, community activities and trainings, as deemed appropriate
Comply with data management and program reporting requirements
Other duties as assigned

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS

JD from an accredited university
Active California State Bar License
Experience in broad areas of immigration law and/or criminal justice experience (law school graduates with clinical or equivalent legal experience may be considered)
Strong bilingual (English and Spanish) language competency
Strong case management, legal research, and legal writing skills
Willingness to zealously pursue new and untested legal theories
Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work under pressure;
Self-directed and self-reliant, highly organized, flexible, innovative, and able to work in a fast-paced setting
Adept at learning to use new technology platforms, as well as experience with and proficiency in Microsoft Office and in Google Suite programs such as Google Sheets, Google Docs, Google Calendar, Google Forms, Webex, and Zoom
Passion for immigrants’ rights and advocating for justice; and
Excellent interpersonal skills and respectful of colleagues in a diverse workplace environment
Must have a valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle, active insurance policy, and/or the ability to travel frequently to attend hearings and interviews and engage with clients and community partners

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

This is a full-time, exempt position with a starting salary of $70,304 - $80,000. Al Otro Lado is piloting a 36-hour work week, with a half-day (4 hours) on Fridays. Payroll adjustments are made to ensure that all staff receive the same wages as in a 40-hour work week.

Al Otro Lado’s comprehensive benefits package includes:

Health benefits: Al Otro Lado contributes up to 90% of employee medical & 70% of employee dental and vision premiums. Insurance coverage is effective on the 1st of the month following the employee’s hire date
Employer-Sponsored Insurances: Employer-sponsored Group Long Term Disability, Short Term Disability, and Life/AD&D coverage
Optional Coverages: Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Insurance
Paid Time Off: Up to three weeks of accrued paid time off per year
Paid Holidays: 10 paid holidays observed, and 2 paid weeks off for Winter Break in December/January
Paid Parental Leave: Supplemental wage integration following the birth of an employee’s child or the placement of a child with an employee in connection with adoption or foster care
403(b): Retirement plan investment options to include Pre-tax or Roth options.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Employer-sponsored plan offering mental health support, legal, and financial services
Full-time employees who have completed at least 5 years of continuous full-time service with the organization will be eligible to apply for up to eight consecutive weeks of Sabbatical Leave, during which the employee will receive full compensation and continue to receive their accrued benefits

APPLICATION PROCESS
Please submit a letter of interest, resume, and three professional references to jobs@alotrolado.org, with “San Diego Removal Defense Staff Attorney” in the subject line. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please.

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
Al Otro Lado values diversity and strongly encourages applications from the communities we serve, including people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, individuals with disabilities, and members of underrepresented communities.

Pay: $70,304.00 - $80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Dental insurance
Employee assistance program
Health insurance
Life insurance
Paid time off
Parental leave
Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Al Otro Lado

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Removal Defense Staff Attorney San Diego Office