CAIR San Francisco Bay Area is seeking a seasoned and mission-driven Senior Immigrants' Rights Attorney. This position is ideal for an experienced attorney who thrives on complex casework and client advocacy, with a focus on serving immigrants in detention and those facing deportation.

The Senior Attorney will carry a significant caseload centered on detained removal defense, including bond hearings, detained dockets, and related forms of relief. The attorney will also support CAIR-SFBA's rapid response and community defense efforts, ensuring due process for immigrants facing deportation and detention in the Bay Area. This is a senior level role, designed for someone who brings extensive experience in removal defense and is ready to provide high-quality representation while advancing CAIR-SFBA's mission of protecting civil rights and empowering immigrant communities.

This position offers an opportunity to do high impact case work in a collaborative, values-driven environment that prioritizes shared knowledge and experience, mentorship and collective problem-solving. You will be working for some of the most vulnerable people on one of the defining issues for our time.

Title: Senior Immigrants' Rights Attorney

Location: Based in CAIR's Santa Clara office. CAIR staff are currently working a hybrid schedule, with three days in-person and two days remote

Schedule Type: Full-time (Exempt). Occasional evenings and weekends required

Reporting Relationships: Reports to the Immigrants' Rights Managing Attorney

Caseload & Support Structure: This role is supported by the Immigrants' Rights Managing Attorney, legal support staff, and CAIR-CA's statewide immigration team. Caseloads are actively monitored to ensure sustainability, with internal review of filings, access to consultation on complex cases, and shared strategy on detained matters. CAIR-SFBA is committed to a collaborative approach and holistic engagement in detained defense work.

Work Authorization: Must be authorized to work in the United States. Ability to travel throughout the Bay Area is required (vehicle and driver's license necessary)

Duties & Responsibilities

Direct Legal Services

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

Impact & Strategic Litigation

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

Community Engagement

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

Legal Research & Writing

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

Grant Compliance & Support

Ensure timely and accurate case documentation for grant deliverables
Contribute case narratives and data for grant reporting and fundraising purposes

General Organizational Support

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

As with all CAIR staff, this role occasionally supports general office needs and organizational priorities.

Required Qualifications

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 Qualifications

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

Compensation

Compensation in the range of $105,000-120,000 annually, commensurate with experience
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

To Apply: Please submit (1) a cover letter discussing your interest and relevant experience, especially with detained removal defense; (2) your resume; (3) a short legal writing sample; and (4) the names and contact information of three references.

CAIR-CA is an equal-opportunity employer and adheres to all federal, state, and local laws prohibiting employment discrimination.

CAIR Sacramento Valley/Central California

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Senior Immigrants’ Rights Attorney