Staff Attorney - Pro Bono Coordinator

The staff attorney will develop and implement an ILS Pro Bono Program while providing specialized legal services and other special projects as assigned by the Senior Supervising Attorney. The staff attorney should be comfortable cultivating relationships with community members, students, attorneys, and corporations. 

Depending on organizational need, and experience, the staff attorney will also maintain a caseload representing clients before the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). 

The staff attorney will work in a collaborative and trauma-informed environment delivering high quality service. This is a full-time, exempt position with a hybrid work model requiring three days a week in the office. Must be available to attend hearings and interviews in San Francisco as needed. The staff attorney reports to the Senior Supervising Attorney of the Affirmative Unit. 

• Develop and implement the ILS Pro Bono Program and internal procedures for pro bono case management 
• Foster relationships with local attorneys, bar associations, law firms, and law schools to recruit pro bono volunteers 
• Place cases with, train, and coordinate with pro bono volunteers 
• Mentor pro bono volunteers on case management and filing 
• Manage cases from intake, placement with pro bono volunteers, through filing with USCIS 
• Coordinate with Canal Alliance’s Development, Marketing, and Outreach teams to develop and expand on pro bono opportunities in support of Canal Alliance’s mission 
• Conduct client intakes, consultations, provide eligibility assessment, develop case strategy, and represent individuals before USCIS in a variety of humanitarian applications  
• Cover hearings before EOIR as needed  
• Assure all cases are filed timely in accordance with departmental policies and grant deliverable timelines 
• Comply with ILS policies, procedures, and best practices, including entering data into our case management software (LawLogix), collecting fees, executing contracts with clients, and filing applications in a timely manner  
• Compile client data for reporting requirements  
• Participate in regular peer review meetings, one-on-one check-in meetings with supervisor, Affirmative Unit meetings, ILS department meetings, all staff meetings, and quarterly all-staff retreats 
• Attend immigration legal trainings and behavioral health trainings as needed 
• Participate in other team and agency meetings 
• Assist Senior Supervising Attorney in improving effective and efficient inter- and intra-agency referral systems.  
  
  

The Successful Candidate

• At least 3 years of immigration practice experience  
• Licensed attorney, CA preferred 
• Ability to effectively communicate with, train and manage legal practitioners with varied experience 
• Bilingual -English and Spanish- oral and written fluency  
• Project management experience preferred 
• Experience working with LawLogix or other legal case management software preferred 
• Able to sit for an extended period and sufficient mobility to work in standard office/courtroom settings 
• Excellent attention to detail, organizational, communication, writing and analytical skills 
• Ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment and excel in working individually/remotely as well as in a team setting 
• Commitment to serving immigrants and sensitivity to the needs of low-income, vulnerable clients 
• Canal Alliance requires all staff be COVID vaccinated except for those who have medical or religious beliefs exemptions