Staff Attorney

About the Organization:

African Advocacy Network is hiring a Removal Defense Staff Attorney

African Advocacy Network (AAN) is a San Francisco-based nonprofit founded in 2009 to serve the growing Diaspora of African and Afro-Caribbean immigrants. AAN provides immigration legal services, case management, and social integration services based on a unique Cultural Brokering model.

AAN serves African and Afro-Caribbean immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers in San Francisco and throughout the greater Bay Area. We try to lift the social veil of invisibility often suffered by this community and work to integrate and support its members as they strive to build new lives.

Job Responsibilities:

 Manage a caseload of 30-40 removal defense cases;

 Conduct consultations with potential clients, screen for potential claims for relief and providing legal counsel and advice;

 Provide full-scope representation to individuals facing removal before the Immigration Court, U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS), and the Board of Immigration Appeals in a variety of legal matters including asylum, U-visas, family petitions, work permits, follow to join petitions, and others

• Travel to detention facilities for client appointment and intakes

· Be able and willing to work under the supervision of an attorney and collaboratively with a team of attorneys, DOJ accredited representatives, and legal assistants

· Respond as part of collaborative to Rapid Response Hotline Emergency calls to provide Know Your Rights Consultations and advocate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

· Engage in advocacy efforts and public campaigns for individual clients and for broader issues affecting the African and Afro-Caribbean community

· Participate in collaborative and organizational activities, meetings, events, and community outreach alongside the legal team

· Attend legal team meetings and organizational staff meetings

Qualifications:

 J.D. from an ABA certified law school;

 1-2 years of legal experience practicing immigration law and direct services, primarily asylum law;

 Excellent writing, editing, legal research and analysis, and oral presentation skills;

 Ability to work effectively with low-income individuals, including clients with mental illness;

 A strong commitment to immigrant rights and community empowerment;

 Commitment to providing culturally competent services

 Ability to travel to detention facilities throughout California

 A current bar membership in good standing

 Second language proficiency in French, Haitian Creole, or any language from the African subcontinent preferred, but not required

Compensation/Benefits

Pay is competitive for the field and commensurate with experience. AAN offers excellent benefits, medical/dental/vision insurance, vacation and sick leave.

The position will remain open until filled.

To apply

Send cover letter, resume, three references, and a writing sample to: [email protected] with the subject “Staff Attorney.”

AAN is a non-profit non -discriminatory community based organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation or disability

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Vision insurance

License/Certification:

• Bar (Preferred)

Work Location: In person