UC Immigrant Legal Services Senior Removal Defense Attorney (STDT LEGAL SVCADVISOR 3)

Job Summary THIS POSITION WILL LEAD THE UC CENTER'S REMOVAL DEFENSE WORK, INCLUDING RESPONDING TO IMMIGRATION ARRESTS AND DETENTIONS ACROSS CALIFORNIA WITH SUPPORT FROM UC CENTER CAMPUS-BASED ATTORNEYS, PROVIDE LEGAL REPRESENTATION IN IMMIGRATION COURT (DETAINED AND NON-DETAINED), MENTOR AND SUPERVISE STAFF TO BUILD REMOVAL DEFENSE KNOWLEDGE, ASSIST WITH RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT, AND SUPPORT FEDERAL COURT LITIGATION. THIS IS A FULL-TIME, TWO-YEAR CONTRACT POSITION WITH POSSIBLE EXTENSION. HYBRID OR REMOTE WORK OPTIONS AVAILABLE FOR THOSE LIVING IN CALIFORNIA. Under general direction of the Executive Director, this attorney will be responsible for leading and building the UC Center's Removal Defense practice, with a focus on representation before the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) in both detained and non-detained cases, as well as filing appeals before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) and petitions for review before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. This includes bond hearings, master calendar hearings, motions practice, and individual merits hearings. The attorney will prepare and file applications for relief from removal, including Asylum/Withholding of Removal and protection under the Convention Against Torture (CAT), Cancellation of Removal, Adjustment of Status in proceedings, and other forms of relief available in immigration court. Depending on capacity and need, this attorney may also be assigned cases before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), including Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), U Non-Immigrant Visas, and Family-Based Petitions, among others. An attorney in this role will be expected to be the first responder at the UC Center in removal defense. This includes travel to immigrant detention centers across California, and other locales as part of comprehensive representation before EOIR and other agencies, as necessary. Travel to various UC campuses for client or team meetings, including UC Davis, will also be expected. This attorney will supervise and mentor attorneys and other staff on removal defense cases as part of building the UC Center's overall removal defense capacity. Their work in this area will require collaboration with various team members, overseeing case preparation and workflow, maintaining organization, accuracy, and compliance across assigned matters, and ensuring efficient case management and strong client service. The attorney will be expected to closely follow changes to law, policy, and practice before EOIR. Additionally, this attorney will be expected to assist in our growing Federal Litigation practice, particularly habeas petitions, and any other litigation that may intersect with removal defense before EOIR. Apply By Date October 12, 2026 at 11:59pm Qualifications Minimum Qualifications - For full consideration, applicants are encouraged to upload license and/or certification if required of the position J.D. degree and California State Bar member in good standing. Minimum of 5-8 years of experience representing detained immigrants in removal proceedings; Demonstrated experience handling a removal defense docket (including detained and non-detained) of approximately 25-30 cases, including ability to develop and lead case strategy; Demonstrated experience handling a wide range of matters in immigration court, including representation in a substantial number of bond hearings, master calendar hearings, and merits hearings; Experience filing and briefing BIA appeals and/or federal court litigation; Ability to manage litigation matters with minimal supervision; Demonstrated ability or willingness to mentor and supervise junior staff; Must be fully fluent in Spanish. Preferred Qualifications Knowledge and experience filing habeas petitions; Experience in complex motions practice, including Motions to Reopen and Motions to Suppress; Experience working with students and immigrant community organizations and providing trauma-informed client services. Highly organized with strong attention to detail and demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and move work forward; flexible, innovative, able to quickly adapt to changing program needs, and highly-motivated. Key Responsibilities 70% - Legal Counsel and Outreach 30% - Supervision Department Overview The UC Davis School of Law is a top tier US law school finishing high in every ranking of note, but we value diversity, equity and inclusion as highly as academic excellence. The mission of the School of Law is to be a nationally and internationally recognized leader in the development and dissemination of legal knowledge, as well as the education of students to become socially responsible lawyers committed to professional excellence and high ethical standards, and to provide significant public service through law reform and professional activities. Through its faculty, students, and graduates, the School of Law seeks to make substantial contributions toward solving the complex legal problems confronting our society. The outstanding scholarly reputation, high rankings, small size, dedicated faculty of internationally renowned scholars, and uniquely supportive learning environment combine for an experience of legal education that is second to none to the students. The UC Davis School of Law offers a three-year full-time program leading to the Juris Doctor Degree, as well as programs for LL.M. and combined degrees. The UC Immigration Legal Services Center (UCIMM) is a college-based, immigration legal services program headquartered at the UC Davis School of Law with staff providing services at all UC campuses. We provide advice and counsel and direct legal representation in immigration matters, and engage in education and outreach, advocacy, and other strategic initiatives. We offer free services to enrolled undocumented and other immigrant UC students, including U.S. citizens in mixed status families; UC staff and faculty, and low-income immediate family members of enrolled UC students, and some alumni. POSITION INFORMATION Salary or Pay Range: $105 , 300 /yr. - $208 , 500 /yr. (Dept. budgeted range: $115,000/yr. - $125,000/yr. Commensurate with experience) Salary Frequency: Annual Salary Grade: Grade 25 UC Job Title: STDT LEGAL SVC ADVISOR 3 UC Job Code: 000558 Number of Positions: 1 Appointment Type: Staff: Contract - 2 year Contract with possibility of extension or conversion to career Percentage of Time: 100% Shift (Work Schedule): Monday - Friday, 8:00AM - 5:00PM Location: Davis, CA Union Representation: 99 - Non-Represented (PPSM) Benefits Eligible: Yes This position is hybrid (mix of on-site and remote work) Benefits Outstanding benefits and perks are among the many rewards of working for the University of California. UC Davis offers a full range of benefits, resources and programs to help you bring your best self to work, as well as to help you and your family achieve your health, wellness, financial and career goals. Learn more about the benefits below and eligibility by visiting UCnet Benefits Page or Benefits Summary for UC Davis Health Employees or Benefits Summary for UC Davis Employees. High quality and low-cost medical plans to choose from to fit your family's needs UC pays for dental and vision coverage for you and your family Retirement plans for eligible employees including Pension and other Retirement Saving Plans Supplemental insurance offered including additional life, short/long term disability, pet insurance, legal coverage, accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity Pregnancy and Parental Leave, Family & Medical Leave, Adoption Assistance and Pay for Family Care and Bonding for eligible employees Lactation Support Program and Family Care discounts and resources Employee Well-being resources and programming to support thriving in all aspects of employee's lives On-site Employee Assistance Program including access to free mental health services Generous amount of paid Holidays annually as outlined in the UC Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreements Paid Time Off/Vacation/Sick Time as outlined in the UC Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreements Continuing Education (CE) allowance and Staff Education Reimbursement Program for eligible employees Access to free professional development courses and learning opportunities for personal and professional growth Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer and Student Loan Debt Counseling Program for eligible employees Physical Demands Standing - Occasional Up to 3 Hours Walking - Occasional Up to 3 Hours Sitting - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours Lifting/Carrying 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours Lifting/Carrying 26-50 lbs - Never 0 Hours Lifting/Carrying over 50 lbs - Never 0 Hours Pushing/Pulling 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours Pushing/Pulling 26-50 lbs - Never 0 Hours Pushing/Pulling over 50 lbs - Never 0 Hours Bending/Stooping - Occasional Up to 3 Hours Squatting/Kneeling - Occasional Up to 3 Hours Twisting - Occasional Up to 3 Hours Climbing (e.g., stairs or ladders) - Never 0 Hours Reaching overhead - Occasional Up to 3 Hours Keyboard use/repetitive motion - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours Environmental Demands Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes - Never 0 Hours Loud noise levels - Never 0 Hours Marked changes in humidity or temperature - Never 0 Hours Microwave/Radiation - Never 0 Hours Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment - Never 0 Hours Extreme Temperatures - Never 0 Hours Uneven Surfaces or Elevations - Never 0 Hours Mental Demands Sustained attention and concentration - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours Complex problem solving/reasoning - Occasional Up to 3 Hours Ability to #J-18808-Ljbffr University of California - Davis