Legal Aid of Marin
Location
San Rafael, CA | United States
Job description
VOCA Employment and Immigration Staff Attorney
Full-Time Position
San Rafael, California
Our Mission
Legal Aid of Marin (www.legalaidmarin.org) provides no-cost, holistic, civil legal services and resources to Marin County residents experiencing poverty and individuals who are currently, or have historically, been marginalized. Legal Aid of Marin’s mission is to create an equitable Marin by empowering the community through legal representation, advocacy, and education. We envision an inclusive Marin with equal justice and opportunity for all.
Our Impact
Legal Aid of Marin (LAM) is a growing, collaborative, civil legal services organization staffed by 15 mission-driven Staff members. Each year, LAM Staff provide thousands of Marin residents with access to direct civil legal services and resources. Our priorities include recovering wages for immigrant workers; advocating for and enforcing tenant protections; providing legal services aimed at homelessness prevention and housing preservation; connecting seniors with estate planning services; restoring driver’s licenses and eliminating fines through the Marin Community Court program; and connecting Marin residents to local community-based organizations providing access to social services. Our Staff works collaboratively to bring services to the community we serve by engaging in regular outreach in partnership with community-based organizations across Marin. We practice holistic, community lawyering and work tirelessly to increase Marin County residents’ access to the civil justice system.
Responsibilities
LAM seeks a passionate, client-centered, and trauma-informed attorney with a demonstrated commitment to public interest law and social justice to represent Marin community members with traditionally marginalized identities, including but not limited to immigrants, BIPOC individuals, seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, people experiencing poverty, and people struggling with housing instability. Reporting to the Managing Attorney, the VOCA Staff Attorney will independently manage an employment and immigration law caseload. After initial onboarding, a hybrid work schedule, as approved by the Managing Attorney and subject to LAM policies, is authorized for this position. This position is funded for one year with leadership committed to seeking funding beyond December 2024.
Duties include:
• Under the supervision of the organization’s Managing Attorney, provide holistic, client-centered, and trauma-informed legal services to workers experiencing poverty
• Conduct client interviews, factual analysis, and legal research
• Provide legal education in the community and staff off-site outreach events
• Engage in settlement negotiations with employers and opposing counsel
• Represent LAM clients in administrative hearings (DLSE, DFEH, and EEOC) and affirmative litigation (Marin Superior Court, immigration courts, federal courts), which may include multi-plaintiff and class actions, in response to client needs and when in line with LAM’s mission and resources
• Support clients in pursuing claims in small claims court
• Supervise and train volunteer attorneys, legal assistants, interns, and non-attorney volunteers when needed
• Prepare, file, and represent clients in pursuing T-visa (labor trafficking) applications and requests for deferred labor action with USCIS
• Work in close coordination and collaboration with LAM Staff, in particular the Employment Staff Attorney and two legal assistants, to ensure superior legal services to clients
• Attend trainings, conferences, and events as required by organizational leadership
• Keep records as needed to measure outcomes, provide accurate data to funders, ensure accurate timekeeping, meet ethical requirements as set forth by the State Bar of California, and support organizational development and fundraising
• Record and provide data to support organizational reporting requirements and requests from the Programs Officer and Executive Director
• Member in good standing with the California State Bar
• Demonstrated commitment to public interest law and experience working with traditionally marginalized communities, including but not limited to immigrants, BIPOC individuals, seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, people experiencing poverty, and people struggling with housing instability
• Experience with or demonstrated interest in practicing employment and immigrant law
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a close-knit team
• Willingness to address areas for growth and receive feedback
• Commitment to the mission and vision of Legal Aid of Marin
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, ever-changing, and collaborative environment
• Valid California driver’s license, reliable transportation, and car insurance
• Fluency in Spanish (very strongly preferred)
This position is exempt. The starting salary range is $80,000-$85,000, depending on experience. LAM employee benefits include fifteen paid holidays, accrued personal leave, sick leave, employee health insurance coverage, and retirement plan participation with employer contribution.
Legal Aid of Marin is committed to promoting a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, BIPOC individuals, LGBTQ community members, veterans, persons with disabilities, and persons from historically underrepresented groups to apply. We are an equal opportunity employer and refrain from discrimination based on race, religion, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, citizenship status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Job tags
Salary
