Associate Immigration Attorney

Andres Ortiz Law • Full-time • Long Beach, California, USA • $80k / year • 2w ago

Position Overview

The Associate Attorney will be responsible for independently handling immigration cases under the supervision of the principal attorney. The associate is expected to manage legal research, analyze caselaw, develop strategy, draft filings, and appear in court as needed.

The associate will also supervise and coordinate support staff working on assigned cases, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and adherence to deadlines. This role is designed for an attorney who wants to practice immigration law at a high level, with autonomy, responsibility, and close collaboration in a low-volume, high-quality environment .

This is not an entry-level role and not a transactional-immigration law practice.

Primary Responsibilities Immigration Litigation & Advocacy

Handle removal defense cases, including:
- Motions to reopen and reconsider
- Motions to terminate
- Bond and custody-related filings
- Court appearances before EOIR
- Knowledge of criminal/immigration issues
Draft and litigate EOIR and BIA appeals

Handle complex USCIS matters , including:

Adjustment of status and related discretionary applications
Waivers and other forms of discretionary relief
Humanitarian-based applications, including U- and T-Visas
Requests for Evidence (RFEs), Notices of Intent to Deny (NOIDs), and legal responses
Demonstrated knowledge of immigration statutes, regulations, policy guidance, and discretionary standards
Analyze immigration statutes, regulations, and caselaw independently
Develop legal strategy in coordination with the principal attorney

Legal Research & Writing

Conduct in-depth legal research on complex immigration issues
Draft high-quality motions, briefs, and memoranda
Prepare declarations and evidentiary submissions
Review and revise filings prepared by support staff

Case Management & Supervision

Manage assigned cases from intake through resolution
Supervise paralegals and law clerks assisting on cases
Provide clear instructions and review work product for accuracy
Ensure compliance with court and agency deadlines

Client Communication

Communicate directly with clients regarding case strategy and status
Maintain professional standards in client interactions
Work with administrative staff to ensure effective client coordination

Qualifications

1–3 years of immigration law experience , including:
- EOIR proceedings
- USCIS applications and petitions
Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction
Demonstrated ability to analyze caselaw and develop legal strategy independently
Strong legal research and writing skills
Experience supervising or coordinating with support staff
Comfortable handling responsibility in a low-volume, high-stakes practice
Spanish fluency strongly preferred