Overview
Position Summary
The Staff Attorney will represent clients on a variety of affirmative immigration matters with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), primarily Citizenship applications, Disability Waivers for the Citizenship interview and exam; and Lawful Permanent Residency initial applications and Renewals. The position also includes some education, outreach, and legal consultation work regarding current evolving law topics on citizenship and naturalization law, such as for example, public charge, as well as on other topics germane to Elder and Disability Law. The staff attorney will engage in work pertaining to wills, trusts and estates, and will draft power of attorney documents, wills, trusts and testamentary documents. The attorney will represent clients in Social Security Administration benefits appeals and disability claims appeals; and will represent clients in Superior Court in general consumer matters. The staff attorney will work in a collaborative and trauma-informed environment and strive for the provision of excellent legal services. This is a full-time, exempt position. This position will report to the attorney Legal Director of the Elder and Disability Law Department.
Full Job Description – Essential Functions
- Provide eligibility assessment, full representation, and/or legal advice to low-income clients filing applications, primarily consisting of naturalization, disability waivers (N-648) and applications, both initial and renewal, for Lawful Permanent Residency.
- Represent clients before USCIS in San Francisco and as needed on limited occasions in other USCIS Northern California offices.
- Represent clients at California Superior Court in consumer and other civil rights matters
- Represent clients before Administrative Law Judges at the Social Security Administration
- Provide consultations to clients and consultees concerning areas of law pertaining to the Elder Law/Disability Law department.
- Comply with policies, procedures, and best practices including entering data into our case management software (eCerenade/eImmigration), and SF City and County reporting platforms; execute contracts with clients, and file applications in a timely manner.
- Compile client data for reporting requirements.
- Participate in regular peer review meetings and attend legal trainings as needed.
- Participate in other team and agency meetings.
Agency Wide Responsibilities:
- Attend regularly scheduled staff meetings.
- Attend Leadership Committee meetings when eligible to join.
- Attend agency-wide staff retreat.
- Attend one board meeting.
- Represent the agency to the community at community meetings, public events, and other forums.
- Assist with agency fundraising efforts as needed and coordinate same within department.
Education and Experience
- J.D. or LL.M
- Prior experience in Wills, Estates and Trusts and/or alternatively, in General Civil Litigation is required.
- Prior experience in Immigration Law or Social Security Appellate law a plus
Qualifications- Skills, Knowledge
- Bilingual – English and Spanish fluency (required)
- Current California Bar Membership in good standing.
- Excellent Outlook and Microsoft Office skills.
- Excellent organizational and interviewing skills and ability to meet deadlines.
- Commitment to serving immigrants and sensitivity to the needs of low-income, vulnerable clients.
- Experience working with eCerenade/eImmigration or other legal case management software.
- Strong verbal communication and expert writing skills.
- Experience working with elderly and/or disabled
- Strong commitment to social justice
- Must be a team player, self-starter, and have positive attitude.
Qualifications:
Experience:
- Wills, Estates and Trusts 1+ year preferred; or
- General Civil Litigation 1+ year strongly preferred
License:
- Active member of the California State Bar (Required)
Language:
- Spanish fluency, bilingual and biliterate (Required), and English
About the Organization
La Raza Centro Legal, San Francisco is a non-profit community legal aid office that provides legal representation and counsel to low-income community members and immigrants in San Francisco, San Mateo County, and the Bay Area region. We assist those in need with free legal services in Immigration law, Elder and Disability law including general civil rights matters, and Workers’ Rights.
La Raza Centro Legal SF was founded in 1973, and since that time has partnered with the community so that justice may prevail. Each year, La Raza Centro Legal SF serves over 4,000 individuals and is one of the leading civil rights legal aid organizations in the Bay Area. We pride ourselves on our collaborative, professional and inclusive culture. We provide high quality legal services to the community we serve, and our staff is offered opportunities for professional development. Our office culture supports work-life balance, and our attorneys and legal support staff are proud to be members of SEIU Local 1021.
La Raza Centro Legal San Francisco Equity and Inclusion Statement
La Raza Centro Legal San Francisco actively promotes and recognizes principles of fairness, equity, and social justice in relation to, and across, intersections of race, age, color, national origin, ethnicity, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, disability, ancestry and all other identities represented among our diverse employees.
By appreciating the importance of inclusion, we acknowledge that the collective and individual talents, skills, and perspectives of our staff foster a culture of belonging, safety, collaborative practice, innovation, and mutual respect. La Raza Centro Legal San Francisco is committed to the transformation of attitudes and systems that deprive any person or group of these principals.