About Public Law Center
Founded in 1981, The Public Law Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing free legal services to low income residents and other nonprofits in Orange County. Last year, Public Law Center staff and volunteers provided over 65,000 hours of free legal services in handling over 4,500 cases benefiting low-income children, adults and seniors. The estimated value of this work is roughly $60 million in just the past three years. Our services include counseling, individual representation, community education and strategic policy advocacy and impact litigation to challenge societal injustices.
About the role
The Public Law Center (PLC)’s Immigration Unit is seeking an energetic, passionate advocate to join our team in fighting for justice for Orange County’s immigrant communities through innovative, collaborative, community-centered lawyering.
PLC’s Immigration Unit provides fearless direct legal representation to, in addition to coordinating and supervising pro bono representation for, survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, sexual assault, persecution and other crimes (U Visas, T Visas, VAWA, asylum, and adjustment of status); children who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected (Special Immigrant Juvenile Status); young people who arrived as children (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals); lawful permanent residents seeking U.S. Citizenship (naturalization); and for immigrants in Immigration Court proceedings (both detained and non-detained removal defense).
What you'll do
- Handle a full caseload of immigration cases, including removal defense and affirmative relief
- Participate in collaborative advocacy efforts in coalition with other legal service providers and community partners
- Oversee volunteer pro bono attorneys and law students through training, technical support, and general supervision
- Participate in immigration legal clinics, workshops, and community education presentations (may include occasional evening or weekend work)
- Opportunities to participate in organizational committees, including Wellness Committee, DEI Committee, Technical Committee, Staff Appreciation Committee, Law Student Recruitment Committee, or other special projects
- Represent PLC at legal networking and community outreach events
- Full-time position. Hybrid work schedule requiring 2 days per week in the office
- This position requires attendance at meetings, both remote and in person, in and outside the Public Law Center’s offices, and requires being located in Southern California. Must have ability to work at the organization’s offices in Santa Ana, CA, and travel to work sites located throughout Orange County, CA. In addition, travel to Los Angeles County and other neighboring counties may be required
Qualifications
- Active membership in the California State Bar/Bar Membership pending or eligibility to practice under State Bar Multijurisdictional Practice Program
- Bilingual English/Spanish or other language strongly preferred
- 1-3 years’ experience in immigration law preferred, including case preparation, client interviewing, and client representation before USCIS and/or EOIR
- Demonstrated commitment to working with immigrant communities
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to communicate with a variety of audiences
- Ability to manage multiple tasks, and work independently and as part of a team
- Must have own transportation, valid CA Driver’s License, insurance, and good driving record; travel throughout Orange County and neighboring counties will be necessary, including to courts located in Santa Ana, Orange, Costa Mesa, Los Angeles, and Adelanto, CA
Salary & Benefits
- Compensation dependent on experience; range of $70,000 to $86,000
- Competitive benefits provided, and for this position include:
- Health, Dental, Vision, Disability, and Life Insurance (100% of employee premium costs paid by PLC, and 50% of dependent health insurance premium costs paid by PLC)
- Flexible Spending Account Program to help pay for medical expenses and childcare costs
- 15 paid holidays per year
- Approximately 1 paid week off during office winter closure (between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day)
- 21 paid sick days per year
- 15 paid vacation days per year
- 2 paid wellness days per month to promote mental wellness and general wellbeing
- Birthday paid time off (2 hours of paid time off during birthday month)
- 403b retirement plan (after 6 months of employment PLC provides a matching contribution equaling 100% of salary deferral up to a maximum of 3-4%, depending on length of employment)
- Monthly $55 stipend for Wi-Fi and cell phone use
- Monthly Bilingual Pay Premium upon successful completion of an oral and/or written test ($50 for oral premium and $50 for written premium)
- Optional monthly peer support group facilitated by third party mental health clinic
- Opportunities for growth and advancement
Next Steps
Applicants progressing to the later stages of the interview process will be required to submit a writing sample to demonstrate their communication skills and expertise.
Public Law Center is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, please contact Public Law Center.
PLC will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with all legal requirements.
PLC regrets that it is unable to sponsor employment Visas or consider individuals on time-limited Visa status for this position.