Bilingual Staff Attorney (Immigrant Advocacy Program)

LAJC is seeking Immigrant Advocacy Program supports low-income immigrants in their efforts to find justice and fair treatment. In addition to representing clients with individual legal issues, we promote systemic reforms to reduce the abuse and exploitation of immigrants, and advocate for state and local policies that promote integration and protect immigrants from aggressive immigration enforcement. Current campaigns include challenges to ICE over-detention of immigrants, resisting family separation in all of its different forms, and our De-ICE Virginia campaign seeking to cut the bonds of cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration enforcement. Applicants must have a strong commitment to Immigrants' Rights, and experience working directly with immigrant Clients. 

About the Position LAJC seeks a bilingual staff attorney for our Falls Church office.  The attorney will provide individual legal consults and know-your-rights presentations to residents of Arlington County who fear arrest by ICE, and emergency legal response services (including bond hearings or Motions to Reopen) for Arlington residents arrested by ICE.  In addition, the attorney will also defend immigrants across Northern Virginia facing housing instability, poor housing conditions, or eviction.  The attorney will also have the opportunity to work on and ultimately develop impact litigation challenging ICE detention and enforcement abuses, and fair housing violations.

Applicants must have a strong commitment to immigrants’ rights, and experience working directly with immigrant clients. The ideal candidate has at least one year of relevant legal experience, outstanding communication skills, and enjoys balancing a variety of responsibilities in a fast-paced, client-centered work environment.    

Required Qualifications

• Strong commitment to immigrants’ rights;

• Experience working directly with immigrant clients;

• Bilingual Spanish-English;

• Membership in the Virginia bar, confirmed eligibility to waive in, or a willingness to sit for the February 2020 Virginia bar;

• Reliable personal transportation; and 

• An ability to multi-task and balance a variety of responsibilities with a healthy sense of humor.  

Preferred Qualifications

• At least one year of relevant legal experience; and

• Experience working for a public interest law firm, legal services organization, or other nonprofit as an attorney or in a pro bono capacity.