Affirmative Unit, Staff Attorney

About the Organization  

Canal Alliance exists to break the generational cycle of poverty for Latino immigrants and their families by lifting barriers to their success. 

Canal Alliance is a nonprofit champion of immigrants who are challenged by a lack of resources and an unfamiliar environment. Every day, we educate, empower, support, and partner with motivated immigrants to best meet all their unique needs—from putting food on the table, to becoming American citizens, to learning English, to graduating from college. 

Canal Alliance strives for a trauma-informed collaborative and inclusive culture. We invest in high quality services, professional development, and work-life balance. 

Position Summary

The Affirmative Unit Staff Attorney (AU Staff Attorney) represents clients in various  humanitarian immigration matters, focusing on affirmative cases. They will maintain an active  caseload while conducting case consultations, developing legal strategies, and providing legal  representation. The Staff Attorney primarily represents clients before the United States  Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and occasionally before the Executive Office for  Immigration Review (EOIR).   In collaboration with members of the AU, the Staff Attorney plays a key role in supporting the  delivery of high-quality affirmative immigration legal services by advancing legal excellence,  strengthening consistency in practice, monitoring and integrating developments in immigration  law and policy, and contributing to the development and implementation of best practices in AU.  

Essential Functions

•  Manage an assigned caseload, including but not limited to conducting intakes,  consultations, legal research, determining eligibility and risk assessment, developing case  strategy, responding to Requests for Evidence (RFE), filing Appeals, Motions to  Reconsider, Motions to Reopen, preparing and filing submissions to USCIS
• Identify client need for relevant Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and background  check requests; prepare and submit FOIA requests and background checks; analyze  results to evaluate their impact on case strategy; and file appeals  
• Conduct detailed file reviews to identify missing information or evidence, factual  discrepancies, and legal issues to determine and implement case strategy  
• Collect, organize, and review supporting documentation and evidence for immigration  filings  
• Ensure timely completion of case milestones and filing deadlines in accordance with  agency procedures, workplans, and case management protocols  
• Submit case inquiries to USCIS, the USCIS Ombudsman, and Congresspeople 
• Prepare and represent clients at biometrics appointments, USCIS interviews and EOIR  hearings  
• Conduct peer reviews of colleagues’ filings  
• Track and analyze changes in immigration law, policy, and procedures, translating  developments into timely guidance and resources for program staff  
• Develop, maintain, and refine legal resources, templates, and best practices to support  program staff and promote consistency, and efficiency  
• Schedule and confirm client appointments  
• Maintain prompt and regular client communications via texts, voicemails, and emails   
• Timely and accurately note all client communications in LawLogix 
• Conduct fingerprinting for background check submissions  
• Maintain physical and digital client files in order 
• Compile client data for reporting requirements  
• Participate in 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 as assigned by Supervising Attorney  

Other Responsibilities

• Tasks or special projects assigned by the Supervising Attorney, including but not limited  to providing administrative support, conducting workshops, trainings, and participating at  outreach events 
• May support training or guidance of junior staff   

 Collaboration & Working Relationships: 

• The AU Staff Attorney collaborates daily with clients and community members seeking  affirmative immigration benefits. The AU Staff Attorney works regularly with staff in the  Unaccompanied Children (UC) Unit of ILS, and external partners such as the Marin  County Public Defender’s Office, the San Rafael Police Department, the Marin County  District Attorney’s Office, and psychologists. The AU Staff Attorney may also work with  staff in other Canal Alliance departments, such as Social Services and Education.   

Expected Time Allocation:  

• 75% Legal casework 
• 10% Training 
• 10% Administrative work  
• 5% Supporting with mentoring/training junior staff

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:    

• Strong working knowledge of affirmative immigration case types, USCIS processes, and  filing procedures  
• Experienced with USCIS filings and case preparation  
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational, communication, research, writing and  analytical skills  
• Exceptional case management skills, including the ability to independently manage a  high volume of cases, prioritize competing deadlines, and track case progression  
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly explain  complex procedures, document case activity, and communicate professionally and  effectively with clients and colleagues  
• Excels working individually/remotely as well as in a team setting  
• Skilled in trauma-informed, client-centered advocacy practices  
• Able to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when handling sensitive  client information  
• Experience working with LawLogix or other legal case management software  
• Knowledge of Microsoft applications including Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel 
• Committed to serving immigrants and sensitive to the needs of low-income, vulnerable  clients  

Qualifications:    

• J.D. and a member in good standing of any state bar    
• Prior experience in immigration law  
• Bilingual – Spanish and English written and oral fluency  
• Able to sit for extended periods, with  sufficient mobility to work in standard  office/courtroom settings  

Compensation  

This is a full-time, exempt position with benefits. We offer a competitive salary range from  $80k-$85k with a benefits package that includes:   

• 3 weeks paid vacation per year   
• 12 days of sick leave per year   
• Paid Birthday each year   
• 13 paid holidays per year 100% paid employee medical & dental insurance, life insurance, LTD, and EAP 
• 403(b)-retirement plan with employer match of up to 4% after 3 months of employment  
• Voluntary benefits include FSA, vision, life, and pet insurance, as well as coverage for  dependents  
• Telehealth for physical and mental health  

I acknowledge that I have read and understand the duties, responsibilities, and expectations  outlined in this job description.   

 Application Process 

Please email your resume and cover letter to [email protected] and answer the following questions in your cover letter or body of email: 

1. Why do you want to work at Canal Alliance? 
2. Please describe your immigration law experience. 
3. How did you gain your Spanish fluency?