Staff Attorney

Imagine waking up every morning with the chance to change someones life. Imagine knowing your efforts will benefit both your career and our neighbors around the world. At CWS our team knows they are making a difference every day. Whether youre in our U.S.-based offices supporting refugees asylees or unaccompanied children ... implementing hygiene initiatives in Cambodia or rebuilding projects in Central America ... or even connecting remotely from your home on fundraising campaigns grant reports or critical communications - you have the opportunity to work towards a world where everyone has food a voice and a safe place to call home.

The Staff Attorney for the Church World Service Northern California Office will provide legal representation for clients in accordance with the terms of CWS contracts with the funding sources. This position is responsible for case file reviews court representation and service provision.

Legal Writing Research & Case Preparation

• Draft supplemental statements rebuttals to Notices of Intent to Deny and Requests for Evidence; prepare and file immigration applications and motions; prepare other ancillary immigration papers including Freedom of Information Act requests.
• Prepare and file all documentation for legal cases including but not limited to immigration applications legal briefs and memoranda motions expert reports and evidence.
• Conduct legal research to support filed immigration applications.
• Conduct legal and factual research to prepare legal cases including legal arguments witness affidavits and statements expert interviews and statements and FOIA requests.
• Stay abreast of changes in immigration law and policy and serve as a subject-matter expert and source of information and analysis of immigration legal services issues and policies within CWS US programs portfolio with an emphasis on emerging issues that require accelerated guidance and coordinated response.

Case Management & Quality Assurance

• Properly manage client appointments and professional duties to ensure thorough and professional representation of client interests.
• Work closely with paralegals and other members of the team on client representation and case management to ensure work quality and timeliness.
• Conduct weekly file review to ensure that all case files are maintained appropriately as pertains to professional service delivery and contract requirements.
• Keeps supervisor informed of complaints issues and/or problems for timely investigation and resolution.
• Works closely with supervisor to keep informed about immigrant issues and conducts legal research to support filed immigration applications.

Grants Reporting & Data Management

• Provide legal and programmatic information for the development of new grant applications.
• Provide technical assistance into new business development ventures including proposal development and reporting processes to expand CWS programs.
• Complete data and narrative reporting related to grant-funded program outcomes. Assist Supervisor Office Director Regional team and/or Headquarters team in preparing grant and other reports and compiling data.

Outreach Advocacy & External Relations

• Represent CWS and the community-based program advocacy and other meetings and speaking engagements related to immigration issues

• Promote the CWS legal program through various media including newspapers radio and television.
• Coordinate and plan outreach activities to achieve program goals.
• Respond to requests for information posed by local staff and other legal service providers as appropriate.

Education: JD is required. Admission to a state bar is preferred. Law graduates who have passed the bar exam and with pending admission may be considered. Strong preference for admission in the state where the CWS office is located or willingness to seek admission in that state.

Experience: Three years professional legal experience with demonstrated experience in immigration law preferably focused on humanitarian immigration practice.

Skills:

• Excellent legal writing research and analytical abilities.
• Superior written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work within a client-led trauma-informed framework.
• Ability to work cooperatively with other staff in a fast-paced work environment.
• Ukrainian or Afghan language fluency strongly preferred.