ABOUT LEGAL SERVICES FOR CHILDREN

Founded in 1975, Legal Services for Children (“LSC”) is one of the country’s first non-profit law firms dedicated to providing free legal representation and social work services to children. Our mission is to ensure that all children in the San Francisco Bay Area are raised in a safe environment with equal access to a meaningful education and other services that are necessary to thrive and grow. We believe that our youth deserve positive alternatives to unnecessary placement in foster care, juvenile justice facilities, and immigration detention. LSC pioneered the interdisciplinary approach that is considered a best practice in juvenile law today. We deploy attorney-social worker teams to assist at-risk children who need to access the legal system to stabilize or improve their lives. LSC’s attorneys represent children in legal matters that involve guardianship, dependency, school discipline, immigration, and other civil legal matters. Our social workers provide crisis intervention, case management, counseling, and psychosocial assessments. LSC staff also engage in policy and advocacy projects aimed at advancing the rights of children.

ABOUT THE POSITION

LSC seeks an attorney to represent detained children in ORR custody in immigration matters.  If clients are released locally or transferred to ICE detention after turning 18, representation continues beyond ORR detention. Clients are primarily monolingual Spanish speakers. We welcome applicants at all levels and provide opportunities for training and leadership. 

Duties include:

• Conducting legal screenings, client interviews, and factual and legal investigations, counseling clients, developing case strategies and case plans, and engaging in oral and written advocacy as part of representing children in immigration matters (primarily Asylum, SIJS, and T & U visa cases)
• Representing children in immigration matters, including Immigration Court proceedings and related state court matters (probate and dependency as needed), as well as applications before U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS)
• A strong commitment to the rights of detained youth is essential as is the ability to respond quickly and efficiently to the demands and deadlines of a fast paced caseload.  

Required Qualifications

• Member in good standing of the State Bar of California
• Spanish fluency is required

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in the practice of immigration law
• Demonstrated commitment to the rights of children and experience working with children who have experienced trauma
• Ability to work efficiently and effectively under pressure and in crisis situations
• Well-organized, motivated, creative, and independent, yet also able to work in a team-oriented environment
• Commitment to providing culturally competent services
• Excellent verbal, interpersonal, writing, and interviewing skills

Click here for full job description