Clinic Staff Attorney/Fellow
Clinic Staff Attorney/Fellow
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Job Description
Western State College of Law at Westcliff University
Clinic Staff Attorney/Fellow Hiring Announcement
Western State College of Law at Westcliff University (WSCL) is located in the city of Irvine
California close to miles of famous beaches parks recreation facilities and outdoor activities
as well as the many museums music venues and diverse cultural and social experiences of
greater Los Angeles.
Founded in 1966 WSCL is the oldest law school in Orange County California and is a fully
ABA-approved for-profit private law school. Noted for small classes and personal attention
from an accessible faculty focused on student success WSCL is proud that our student body is
among the most diverse in the nation with a majority of our students from minority
backgrounds. In our 50 year history we have nearly 12000 alumni and have had over 150
judges elevated to the bench.
Our alumni are well-represented across public and private sector legal practice areas.
WSCL is committed to providing workplaces and learning environments free from
discrimination on the basis of any protected classification including but not limited to race sex
gender color religion sexual orientation gender identity or expression age national origin
disability medical condition marital status veteran status genetic marker or on any other basis
protected by law.
About the Immigration and Deportation Defense Clinic
The Immigration and Deportation Defense Clinic (Clinic) at WSCL is a clinical education
program with a dual mission: to advocate for immigrant populations vulnerable to deportation
and to develop law students potential to be skilled compassionate and ethical advocates
through the experience of providing clients with zealous representation.
The Clinic recognizes the importance of training future lawyers not only in technical aspects of
law but also in the art of empathy trauma-informed communication and understanding. The
Clinic aims to instill in law students a sense of responsibility towards their clients and the unique
challenges they face through their immigration cases. The Clinic teaches from a place of
assuming that racial discrimination and economic inequality are deeply problematic issues
worthy of Clinics time and attention. Our clinic operates on the principle that everyone deserves
access to legal services and representation regardless of their economic status. To this end we
strive to collaborate with community organizations pro bono networks and legal aid providers
to expand our reach and help those most in need.
Clinic Staff Overview
The Clinic team is growing and includes a faculty director adjunct faculty law students enrolled
in the clinic and an administrative assistant. The Clinic operates on an academic calendar.
Students enrolled in the clinic under faculty supervision will represent clients in a range of
immigration matters. The staff attorney/fellow position will complement the Clinics work by
supporting pro se litigants and community organizations developing a training and technical
assistance program and coordinating law student involvement in these efforts.
The Clinic is seeking applicants for a staff attorney/fellow position within its Legal
Empowerment Project an initiative dedicated to supporting self-represented immigrants and
families in removal proceedings particularly in Orange County. The staff attorney/fellow will be
housed within the law schools clinical program and will lead a training and technical assistance
initiative for self-represented immigrants and the community organizations that serve them.
Clinic Staff Attorney/Fellow Position
The staff attorney/fellow will report to the Clinic Director. The positions responsibilities
include but are not limited to:
- Provide limited-scope representation to pro se litigants in removal proceedings
- Provide technical assistance to layperson legal advocates at community-based
organizations without access to an attorney
- Design coordinate and implement a community training program with Orange County
stakeholders for pro se litigants and layperson legal advocates on how to navigate
removal proceedings
- Attend stakeholder meetings and
- Coordinate and supervise the law students assigned to this project.
Required Qualifications:
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school
- Admission to practice law in California (or at least one U.S. jurisdiction)
- 1-5 years of experience practicing immigration law (recent law graduates are welcome to
apply)
- Fluency in a second language (e.g. Spanish or Vietnamese); and
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced evolving environment.
The ideal candidate will also demonstrate:
-Ability and willingness to work at a law school campus directly with the Clinic team
including law students enrolled in the clinic;
-Experience with demonstrated commitment to and cultural competency for working
within a diverse client and student community; and
-A sense of humor positive attitude and self-awareness.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being
performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities
duties and skills required of personnel so classified.
Location
Western State College of Law 16715 Von Karman Blvd #100 Irvine CA 92606.
Job Salary Type and Benefits
- Salary range: $68000 to $78000 commensurate with experience
-Full-time one-year term (renewable contingent on continued grant funding and
satisfactory performance) exempt position
-Benefits package includes medical dental and vision. A retirement plan with elective and employer contributions
How to Apply
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis but should be submitted electronically no later
than August 30 2025 to Sabrina Rivera at Applications should include a
letter describing relevant experience a resume a writing sample and three references.
Required Experience:
Staff IC
Employment Type
Full-Time
