Staff Attorney - Immigration

The Law Foundation of Silicon Valley (LFSV) invites California State Bar attorneys to join us in creating systematic change by applying for the Staff Attorney position on the Legal Advocates for Children and Youth (LACY) team. This is a flexible, hybrid position. Attorneys must be available to commute to our San Jose, CA offices and hearings 2+ days per week.

Who We Are

The Law Foundation of Silicon Valley advances the rights of historically excluded individuals and families across Santa Clara County through legal services, strategic advocacy, and educational outreach. We serve over 10,000 individuals and families each year through our Housing Program, Children & Youth Program, and Health Program. Our attorneys, social workers, and advocates use legal advocacy as a tool for social change by crafting inventive solutions to the legal issues facing low-income people in our region.

With a staff of 90 employees, we are the largest provider of free legal services in the South Bay region of the Bay Area. Our work is collaborative and meaningful and includes plenty of opportunities for professional growth. As a staff, we actively engage in discussions about race, equity, and inclusion, and are actively working towards a Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC)-centered legal services practice that incorporates community and movement lawyering. 

What You’ll Do

The tasks assigned to this role will be within our immigration law practice, and the attorney will be accountable for representing youth in one or more of our projects. Key responsibilities involve advocating for children and youth in their pursuit of affirmative immigration relief, primarily through Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS). Experience in handling legal matters for diverse youth populations is preferred. Additionally, this position will entail active participation in LACY's regular team meetings, staff meetings, and program development activities, supporting the LACY Directing Attorney and Supervising Attorneys.

Primary Duties

• Provide representation, advocacy, and information for youth in immigration law, and other matters, including seeking predicate SIJ findings in family and probate courts
• Participate in meetings with project partner and community agencies
• Participate in outreach with the community and immigration policy work
• Respond to referrals from service providers and partner agencies
• Provide technical assistance to attorneys and service providers
• Participate in regular meetings with LACY and Law Foundation staff
• Participate in general office upkeep duties, including computer data entry of case information, maintenance of billing records, filing, copying, drafting and filing court documents, and serving notice  

Who You Are

• Member in good standing with State Bar of California
• Bilingual and bicultural Spanish speaker
• Experience in courtroom advocacy and administrative advocacy preferred
• Demonstrated commitment to the rights of children and youth
• Ability to identify, investigate, and resolve client problems
• Ability to work independently and be self-motivated
• Ability to manage multiple clients in high-stress situations
• Ability to work sensitively and productively with minors with diverse backgrounds including those in crisis
• Excellent verbal, interpersonal, writing, interviewing, and organizational skills
• Experience working with individuals from multi-ethnic communities desired

A valid driver’s license or other transportation is required to attend meetings, hearings, home visits, and outreach presentations.

What We Offer

The annual salary range for this role is $80,000 to $105,000. All compensation is determined by the wage table of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement between SEIU Local 521 and LFSV. Placement on the wage table will be based upon an applicant’s experience in comparable roles. Excellent benefits are provided including:

• 19 paid holidays per year
• 3-5 weeks of vacation per year
• 12 days of sick leave per year
• Up to 6 months of parental leave
• A paid lunch break
• Fully paid medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums
• A robust Employee Assistance Program that includes free/discounted mental health therapy and wellness services for employees and their dependents
• A 401(k)-retirement plan with employer contributions
• A sabbatical after 5 years of employment
• An additional monthly stipend for those who are bilingual and utilize their language abilities in the course of their job
• An annual budget for professional development
• Employer paid CA Bar license fees
• The option to work a hybrid schedule

Location

Law Foundation is a hybrid workplace and staff will be required to commute to our San Jose offices 2+ days per week. If staff can meet the requirements above, including commuting at their own expense, staff may live anywhere in California. Due to logistical challenges regarding taxes, insurance, and time zones, we are not able to consider staff in other states at this time.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Law Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer. We encourage people of color, womxn, people living with disabilities, older people, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people to apply. It is the policy of the Law Foundation to prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants, without regard to race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy, medical condition or genetic information, veteran status, national origin, disability, marital or other protected status. The Law Foundation will conform to the spirit, as well as the letter of all applicable laws and regulations.

ADA Accessible Facility - Equal Opportunity Employer - Drug-Free Workplace