Family Law/Immigration Attorney

Family Law/Immigration Attorney

Domestic Violence Services For All (DVSFA) – Legal

Senior Attorney

Exempt

Valley Oasis is a community-based organization dedicated to eliminating social and domestic violence and homelessness through community awareness, intervention, prevention, safe shelter, and supportive services.

The Domestic Violence Services program is an intervention program funded through the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. We seek to help people who have experienced domestic violence regain their autonomy and self-esteem so they can re-enter the world as productive and healthy members of society.

The Family Law/Immigration Attorney will represent and provide legal services to low-income survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and/or human trafficking in a variety of family law and immigration matters. Duties will include conducting client intake, case assessment, and ongoing case management; researching and drafting legal documents and attending court hearings. The attorney will work collaboratively with social service and law enforcement agencies. The attorney's casework would involve providing relief under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), asylum, and the U visa). The attorney will collaborate with other attorneys, legal assistants and administrative assistants and volunteers at Valley Oasis.

Essential Job Functions:

· Assist in coordination of day to day operations of the DVSFA program and services with direction and oversight of Supervisor

· Oversees the substantive and administrative responsibilities of the practice team.

· In concert with the Senior Attorney, assists in the implementation of substantive and administrative policies and procedures.

· Interviews prospective clients, renders legal advice, and represents clients in all phases of affirmative immigration applications and immigration court removal defense: maintains an increasingly complex caseload.

· Prepare immigration applications, attend U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) interviews, research applicable law, composing memoranda, writing client affidavits, drafting motions and briefs, and filing appeals from denied applications.

· Oversee timely completion of administrative, regulatory, and contractual tasks; such as monthly billing, reports, quality assurance and audit preparation.

· Interact with clients utilizing a trauma-informed care approach while maintaining professional boundaries at all times and actively promote positive, nurturing interactions between adults and children.

· Assists in the development and implementation of creative strategies for resolution of systemic problems, which adversely affect our client communities, including legislative and administrative advocacy.

· Ensures compliance with all program and grant requirements.

· Stay current on evolving immigration laws, policies, and procedures, ensuring the program delivers top-tier legal services.

· Evaluates the work of and creates professional development plans for staff underneath his/her direct supervision.

· With assistance from Senior Attorney, monitors team productivity, quality of work, helps to maintain the team calendar, conducts team meetings, and case reviews.

· Provide monthly/annual reports to upper management, including but not limited to direct supervisor, Senior Director and CEO

· Provide guidance to Agency staff and be available for any questions pertaining immigration availability.

· Develop and implement training and professional development for the team and Agency.

· Represent Agency in meetings, regional/state associations, and other public forums.

· Present to the public on asylum, Know Your Rights, recent executive orders, and other immigration matters.

· Attends community outreach and education events, conducts substantive workshops, trainings, and clinics conducts screenings and assessments of applicants and clients.

· Develops and maintains a positive working relationship with client communities, community-based organizations, and partner organizations, the immigration court, and government agencies.

· In accordance with the ethical standards required of the legal profession and the Code of Professional Responsibility, preserving client confidentiality, accounting for client monies, and avoiding conflicts of interest.

· Ensure the safety and comfort of clients and staff by enforcing program and/or agency rules, policies and security protocols.

· Maintain effective communication with staff on schedule changes and/or office activities

· Train, coach, and manage and supervise staff on program requirements, tools and methods to meet those requirements set in place by our funders

· Problem solve with Supervisor and staff on any issues or challenges that might inhibit them from achieving program goals

· In conjunction with Supervisor, audit and conduct quality assurance review of participant files

· Assist Supervisor in interviewing and selecting team members and volunteers

· Provide supervision and guidance to staff when working with individuals in crisis or experiencing symptoms of mental and/or physical illness

· In collaboration with Supervisor assist in regular and on-going feedback to program staff including training, opportunities for growth, verbal and written improvement plans as necessary and regular evaluations

· Provide support, oversight, supervision and guidance to staff in onboarding, training, and throughout employment, including but not limited to: program requirements, scope of work, program standards, documentation, enrollments, verifications, data (Apricot), extensions, referrals, income, audits, safety and service plans, daily activities, status assessments, and participant issues

· In the absence of Supervisor, provide assistance in counseling and resolving issues related to staff performance and behavior

· Assist in reviewing staff time sheets and submitting for payroll

· Responsible for ongoing assessment of training needs for all staff and scheduling appropriate training opportunities

· Assist in managing program spending and program budgets to ensure performance measures are met

· Assist in oversight of all check requests submitted by program staff, petty cash tracking, placing orders, and credit card management, if applicable

· Work in collaboration with all agency departments and programs to ensure a smooth transition between programs, ensuring referrals are completed in a timely manner

· Aide in obtaining services from agencies in the community who can assist in providing support that address housing and legal needs, immigration remedies, emergency food, clothing and other needs

· Remain current with best practices and emerging data regarding the impact of domestic violence on survivors and families

· In collaboration with Supervisor work with other program directors and leaders to identify programmatic challenges and gaps in services

· Develop educational materials for advocates and community distribution

· Participate in staff meetings, individual and group supervision, case conferences and training as required

· Ensure maintenance of a clean, safe and supportive environment for participants and staff

· Adhere to agency policies and procedures including confidentiality, child/elder abuse reporting, and code of ethics

· Additional tasks, projects and or responsibilities as assigned by Supervisor that are not outlined but which are an important part of the agency’s goals and/or program outcomes

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

· Must have substantive and procedural expertise in all aspects of the practice of immigration law.

· Must have demonstrated knowledge, skills, and experience in the proposed area of practice with the ability to develop procedural and substantive strategies to effectively represent clients and undertake resolution of structural inequities affecting our client population.

· Skill in working independently and following through on assignments with accuracy and minimal direction, as well as supporting team efforts, and to strategize and plan to timely and consistently meet grant deliverables and reporting requirements.

· Demonstrated skills in managing others in a regulated climate and ensuring personal and team compliance with such regulations.

· Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work with other teams, the public, volunteers, court personnel, government agencies, and partner organizations.

· Must have the desire and ability to work with and mentor less experienced staff.

· A demonstrated interest in low-income legal services and/or a commitment to immigrants' rights

· Ability to work effectively with survivors of trauma

· Desire to work collaboratively within a team, including administrative and legal assistants

· Adept at delegating tasks effectively and appropriately to support staff

· Ability to work effectively and communicate with external stakeholders, including law enforcement

· Knowledge and understanding of policy, systems, and local programs that impact immigrants and related public funding sources, regulations, requirements, and procedures

· Must be able to exercise initiative, independent good judgment, flexibility, discretion and solid decision making

· Ability to respond quickly and effectively to individuals who may be ill, using substances, lack of personal care, in crisis situations and/or potentially hostile situations

· Ability to respond quickly and effectively to individuals in crisis situations and/or potentially hostile situations

· Ability to work with a diverse population and provide culturally competent advocacy

· Work effectively under conditions of limited supervision, high stress and rapidly changing situations and circumstances

· Able to take appropriate steps to deal with emergency situations with the goal of maintaining the safety of all clients

· Promote cooperation and commitment within a team to achieve goals and objective; collaborate with team members, sharing ideas and differences openly; be receptive to new ideas and adapt to change as necessary

· Strict confidentiality must be observed as it relates to client information, agency business, program decisions and all other personal information

· Must be able to successfully manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, adjust to changing; circumstances, and demonstrate confidence working with diverse stakeholders

· Considers impact of personal and professional choices. Consistently make decisions in keeping with organizational values and Supervisor’s direction

· Excellent organizational skills and the ability to follow through from beginning to end on tasks

· Outstanding communication skills, both written and oral; must communicate professionally and positively with participants, co-workers, management, community partners, employers, landlords, and other service providers

· Proficient with office communication equipment and machines (telephone, copier, calculator, fax machine, personal computer, laptop, computer printer and scanner).

· Proficient in use of laptop/desktop computer, Microsoft Windows and Office software programs (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and Google drive

· Ability to work a flexible schedule; including nights, days, weekends and holidays

· Ability to respond to emergencies some evenings and weekends as necessary

· Use of a personal vehicle may be required to travel in and around Antelope Valley and/or Los Angeles County and periodically transport participants

· Maintain professional boundaries and work collaboratively with participants, volunteers and staff

· Accountability – be on time for scheduled shifts

· Be able to read and write English

Qualifications & Experience:

· Juris Doctor degree

· Licensed to practice law with membership in good standing to any state bar (California preferred)

· Immigration law experience preferred (including law school clinic experience and internships)

· U visa, VAWA, SIJS, and/or asylum experience preferred

· Strong writing skills and meticulous attention to detail

· Experience with non-profit/social services grant writing, reporting, management and implementation

· Demonstrated verifiable reputation for integrity and no history of disciplinary offenses as an attorney or in any other capacity

· Experience in a management role with supervisory/administrative experience preferred

· Fluency in written and spoken Spanish highly desired

Agency Requirements:

· Must have a valid California Driver’s License

· Reliable transportation

· Auto Insurance

· Clean driving record

Work Conditions & Physical Demands

The following are work conditions that one may encounter in the course of performing their job duties:

· May be in contact with individuals in crisis

· May experience unpleasant sensory demands associated with an individual’s use of alcohol and drugs, and lack of personal care

· May experience crisis situations and potentially hostile situations, must be ready to respond quickly and effectively.

An employee is required to:

Walk and climb stairs; Handle, grasp and feel objects and equipment; Reach with hands and arms; extend both arms above the head and/or reach below the waist; Communicate ideas and information verbally and written word; Be able to move oneself quickly and easily from place to place; Repeat various motions with hands, wrists, fingers; Climb on stools, steps and/or ladders; Be subject to outside environmental conditions, including but not limited to: Rain, heat, wind; lift at least 10.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. If accommodation(s) are required, employee must inform Human Resources by the first week of employment. If an accommodation is not required at the time of employment, but is later required, you must inform Human Resources at the time it is needed.

Benefits

Health

Employee Assistance Plan

Paid Sick

Dental

AFLAC

Paid Vacation

Vision

Cafeteria 125 Plan

Personal Days

Acupuncture/Chiropractic

Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

14 Observed Holidays

Schedule:

Monday – Friday, 8am-5pm (40 hours a week; may be required to work other than normal duty hours, to include evenings, weekends, holidays and/or on call status)

Salary:

$70,000.00 annually (Exempt)

An Equal Opportunity Employer: Selection will be based solely on merit and will be without discrimination based on age, race, sex, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $70,000.00 per year

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

Salary : $70,000