Removal Defense Immigration Attorney – Immigration Court Experience Required

Location: Barrio Logan, San Diego, CA (in-person; court appearances required)

Employment Type: Full-time, exempt

Pay: $100,000 – $150,000 per year, based on experience, plus performance-based bonus opportunities

Language: Spanish preferred, not required

ABOUT UNION LAW GROUP

Union Law Group, APC is a San Diego immigration law firm that represents individuals and families at some of the most important moments of their lives. We are expanding our removal-defense practice and are looking for a courtroom attorney who brings strong advocacy and wants to help build the team behind it.

THE ROLE

This is a litigation role for an attorney who already appears in Immigration Court. You will handle removal-defense cases from intake through final hearing. You will appear before Immigration Judges at master calendar and individual merits hearings, set case strategy, and draft the motions and briefs that support it.

This is also a leadership role. You will train and mentor our law clerks, paralegals, and legal assistants. We are looking for someone who enjoys teaching, raises the quality of the people around them, and wants to grow professionally with our firm.

Direct EOIR courtroom experience matters more to us than Spanish. Attorneys who practice entirely in English are encouraged to apply.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Represent clients as attorney of record at master calendar and individual merits hearings before EOIR.
Develop strategy for removal defense and relief, including asylum, withholding of removal, CAT, cancellation of removal, adjustment of status in proceedings, waivers, and bond.
Prepare clients and witnesses for testimony; conduct direct examination and respond to cross-examination.
Draft motions, briefs, declarations, and legal arguments, including motions to reopen and reconsider.
Review NTAs, charging documents, immigration history, and prior filings to identify relief, risks, and procedural issues.
Handle or support appeals before the Board of Immigration Appeals when appropriate.
Train, supervise, and mentor law clerks, paralegals, and legal assistants on case preparation, evidence packets, court filings, and deadlines.
Review team work product and provide clear, constructive feedback.
Help build and improve internal removal-defense processes, templates, and training materials.
Maintain accurate case notes, hearing reports, calendars, and client communications.

QUALIFICATIONS

J.D. from an accredited law school.
Active license in good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction. Attorneys not admitted in California may apply; practice would be limited to federal immigration matters.
At least 1 year of direct removal-defense experience in Immigration Court.
Experience appearing as attorney of record at master calendar hearings.
Strong oral advocacy, legal research, and legal writing skills.
Ability to independently prepare for and appear at court hearings and manage a litigation caseload with strict deadlines.
Interest in training and mentoring legal support staff.
Ability to work full-time, in person, at our Barrio Logan office and appear at court hearings, with or without reasonable accommodation.

PREFERRED

Experience as lead counsel in individual merits hearings.
Experience with asylum, cancellation of removal, bond hearings, motions to reopen, and BIA appeals.
Experience training or supervising law clerks, paralegals, or junior attorneys.
Professional proficiency in Spanish.
California Bar membership.

COMPENSATION

Pay range for this position: $100,000 – $150,000 per year, based on years of removal-defense experience:

1–3 years: $100,000 – $120,000 per year
4–6 years: $121,000 – $140,000 per year
7+ years: $141,000 – $150,000 per year

Compensation is negotiable within the posted ranges based on job-related factors, including court experience, number of merits hearings handled as lead counsel, and supervisory experience. Performance-based bonus opportunities are also available.

BENEFITS

Health, dental, and vision insurance
401(k)
Paid time off
Continuing legal education and professional development support
Referral program

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Union Law Group, APC is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (including religious dress and grooming), sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, reproductive health decision-making, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the California Fair Chance Act.

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Removal Defense Immigration Attorney