Supervising Attorney, Immigrant Rights

The Opportunity

The Asian Law Caucus (ALC) seeks a Supervising Attorney to join its Immigrant Rights Program at a critical moment for immigrant communities. As we anticipate increased enforcement and policy changes targeting immigrants, we are strengthening our legal team to protect vulnerable populations and defend civil rights.

Join our collaborative team of committed immigration advocates who combine legal expertise with community-centered advocacy. Our supportive environment enables attorneys to grow their skills while making meaningful impact through precedent-setting cases and innovative legal strategies.

The selected attorney will supervise a dedicated team of legal advocates working to prevent family separation, challenge unjust detention practices, and advance systemic change.

Core responsibilities include:

• Supervise and manage the team’s caseload of high stakes removal and bond proceedings, and appeals before the BIA and 9th Circuit;
• Develop the next generation of immigrant rights advocates fighting for the most marginalized communities;
• Collaborate with staff across the organization to support organizing efforts, policy advocacy, and community empowerment work.

This position is supervised by the Immigrant Rights Program Director.

The Organization

Founded in 1972, the Asian Law Caucus is the nation’s first legal and civil rights organization serving low-income Asian and Pacific Islander communities. We bring together legal services, community empowerment, and policy advocacy to fight for immigrant justice, economic security, and a stronger, multiracial democracy. We are committed to serving the vast diversity of communities of Asian descent, including Arab, Middle Eastern, and Muslim communities. Our fights for justice and equity are deeply informed by and in solidarity with fights for liberation by and for Black, Indigenous, and Latinx communities.

Our growing staff works collaboratively across six issue areas. Our work is rooted in the San Francisco Bay Area and California and expands to states across the country, including places where immigrant, Asian, Arab, Middle Eastern, and Pacific Islander communities are rapidly growing.

Responsibilities

Day-to-day activities include the following:

• Supervise the Immigrant Rights’ legal team to provide direct legal services to low-income API immigrants and oversee legal casework and client management, including representing people with criminal convictions in: removal and bond proceedings before the Immigration Courts, appeals before the BIA and Circuit Courts, complex motions to reopen, habeas petitions seeking release from ICE detention, and constitutional challenges to ICE enforcement practices.
• Provide high-quality direct legal services on the issues above.
• Help to develop and implement the short- and long-term goals of the program.
• In collaboration with other staff, develop advocacy strategies to address the impacts of the existing immigration system on API immigrant communities and other immigrant communities of color.
• Establish and deepen relationships with grassroots partners, advocacy organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Perform administrative and operations duties, such as performance reviews, fund reporting, grant management, and planning team retreats and strategic conversations.

All ALC staff are expected to participate in regular check-in meetings with their supervisor/supervisees, staff meetings, team meetings, and other organization meetings, as required. This includes two (2) annual retreats, an anniversary celebration dinner, and meetings as needed in the San Francisco Bay area.

Desired Qualifications

• B.A./B.S. and J.D. degrees. California bar membership required
• Minimum one year of experience supervising staff
• Substantive experience with immigration issues and a minimum of five (5) years' related legal services or state/federal court litigation experience, ideally with familiarity in practicing in a nonprofit organization
• Demonstrated leadership and ability to work independently and in collaboration with other attorneys, community advocates, and community-based organizations
• Excellent research, analytical, written, and oral communication skills
• Demonstrated commitment to building power with and for directly impacted communities
• Significant experience in removal defense for people with criminal convictions and in federal court litigation is highly desired
• Experience working with Asian, Pacific Islander, Arab and Middle Eastern community members impacted by the immigration legal system is highly desired
• Familiarity with the intersection of immigration status and other issues, such as national security, employment and housing, is a plus
• Proficiency in an Asian or Middle Eastern language or Spanish desirable but not required