The Immigration Center for Women and Children (ICWC) seeks a full-time staff attorney in the Los Angeles office. ICWC is a non-profit legal organization providing affordable immigration services to underrepresented women, children, and other marginalized communities in California. ICWC strives to provide security and stability for children who are abused, abandoned or neglected, for women and children who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and other violent crimes, and for mentally ill individuals in immigration detention. For more information about ICWC, please see our website: www.icwclaw.org.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The attorney’s primary responsibilities will be representing detained immigrants in removal proceedings who have significant mental health problems. The attorney will represent these clients after they have been found incompetent to represent themselves by an immigration judge. Representation includes bond proceedings, all stages of removal proceedings in immigration court (including hearings on non-detained docket after release), appeals to the Board of Immigration Appeals, applications with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, intensive planning with ICWC’s social services personnel, and liaising with criminal attorneys. The attorney will need to show immense patience, creativity, perseverance, and compassion to succeed in this challenging but rewarding practice. The position will require the attorney to travel to Adelanto Detention Facility (approximately 90 miles from Los Angeles) approximately once a week for court hearings and client meetings.
The attorney will also be responsible for providing direct immigration legal services, outreach and education to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and other violent crimes. The attorney will work collaboratively with social service and law enforcement agencies. The attorney will work with providing relief under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), the U visa and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS). The attorney will also supervise legal assistants, law students and other volunteers.
Qualifications:
Juris Doctorate and active bar admission (California preferred but not required)
One to three years immigration law practice (including substantial internship or clinical experience)
Experience in removal defense and detention work strongly preferred
Ability to work effectively with individuals with mental illness/mental disabilities
Knowledge of immigration effects of criminal convictions and willingness to represent clients with serious criminal convictions
VAWA and U visa experience preferred
Ability to work effectively with victims of domestic violence and sexual assault
Strong writing and oral advocacy skills
Ability to work effectively and communicate with law enforcement, representatives of government and English/Spanish media
A demonstrated interest in low-income legal services and/or a commitment to civil liberties and immigrants’ rights
The attorney must have a vehicle and driver license
Oral and written Spanish language fluency required
How to apply
Please send cover letter, resume, list of professional references, and brief writing sample via email to:
Suzanne McCormick
Executive Director