Legal Assistant - Immigrant Justice Program

Type: Regular, Non-Exempt, Full-time. This position is part of a collective bargaining unit represented by CWA Local 9410.

Location: San Francisco, CA. This is a hybrid role that is required to work in the office 2 days a week.

Deadline: Applications are due by Wed Oct 28.

Reports to: Immigrant Justice Managing Attorney

Compensation and Benefits: The salary range is between $68,249 and $89,049. The compensation is determined based on relevant years of experience and in accordance with the negotiated salary scale in the union contract for this position.

This position is eligible for language premiums for demonstrated proficiency in a language other than English that is regularly used in their job duties. The annual premium is $1,500 for oral proficiency and $1,500 for written proficiency in each language.

ALC's comprehensive benefits package includes generous vacation and paid holidays; medical, dental, disability, and life insurance coverage (ALC pays 100% of premiums for employees and 75% for qualified dependents); a flexible spending account (FSA); and a 401K retirement plan with employer non-elective contribution and match.

Travel & Meetings: 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.

The Opportunity

Asian Law Caucus (ALC) seeks a full-time legal assistant to support attorneys and other legal staff in our Immigration Justice Program. This position plays a critical role in ensuring high-quality legal representation for low-income immigrants, asylum seekers, and other vulnerable community members in affirmative and defensive immigration matters, including litigation seeking to defend and advance immigrants' rights.

The Legal Assistant will provide administrative, case management, and litigation support to attorneys handling matters before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), immigration court, the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), and federal courts. The ideal candidate will bring strong attention to detail, excellent communication skills, sound judgment, cultural humility, and a demonstrated commitment to public interest work and immigrant justice.

The Legal Assistant must be comfortable working in a collaborative, fast-paced environment with interdisciplinary teams, community-based partners, grant-funded programs, and high-impact advocacy initiatives.

The Organization

ALC is the nation's first legal organization focusing on advancing and defending the civil rights of Asian and Pacific Islander (API) communities. Since 1972, ALC has fought for access to affordable housing in San Francisco's Chinatown, litigated high-profile civil rights cases, advocated for the passage of landmark policy changes, and provided an array of services, including community education, advocacy, and direct client representation to further the rights of low-income immigrants and communities of color, across our Housing Rights, Workers' Rights, Immigrant Justice, and National Democracy Initiative programs, and other emerging areas of law.

Responsibilities

• Day-to-day activities include the following:
• Client Support
• Conduct intake interviews with potential clients, including those who are incarcerated or detained, consult with attorneys regarding next steps and provide appropriate referrals as needed.
• Respond to mail and communication from clients and community members.
• Build relationships and maintain regular communication with clients and their family members, including scheduling meetings, interviews, and depositions.
• Work with clients and their family members to request records, gather evidence, draft declarations, prepare testimony, and prepare application forms for attorney review.
• Provide support to clients following release from prison or immigration detention including referrals to community resources and assistance with obtaining identification and work permits.
• Assist with interpretation/translation coordination and collection of supporting evidence from clients and third parties.

Legal Support

• Draft legal documents, such as pleadings and contracts, using templates for attorney review.
• Collect, examine, and organize evidence and other legal documents for attorney review and case preparation.
• Cite check, edit, and proofread legal documents, such as pleadings and contracts.
• Draft routine correspondence, cover letters, forms, and case-related documents for attorney review.
• Prepare, file, and serve document submissions in immigration agencies and courts, including immigration courts, the Board of Immigration Appeals, state courts, and federal courts.

Administrative Support

• Manage, organize, and maintain documents in electronic and physical filing systems. Input, manage, and maintain data for client/case information.
• Assist with administrative tasks related to legal clinics and community presentations.
• Collaborate with the Program Director, other attorneys, paralegals, and intake coordinators to ensure efficient workflow, effective communication, and a collaborative work environment.
• Provide information and data regarding casework in support of grant reports.
• Perform other duties as needed.

Desired Qualifications

• Demonstrated commitment to advancing the rights of low-income, people of color, and/or immigrant communities
• Two (2) or more years of relevant legal assistant experience
• A bachelor's degree or an advanced degree and a minimum of one year of law-related experience 
• Experience working with low-income immigrant communities and/or incarcerated/formerly incarcerated individuals preferred 
• Excellent writing, communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills; a high level of attention to detail 
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team and manage multiple tasks in a timely manner 
• Team player and collaborator who enjoys working with colleagues of diverse backgrounds and experiences 
• A trusted colleague who works effectively within a non-profit team toward organizational goals and objectives 
• High level of discretion and professionalism when handling sensitive and confidential information
• Commitment to social justice 
• Technological proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Slack, Clio, and other relevant software applications 
• Proficiency in an Asian language or Spanish preferred 

Application Process  

Interested candidates should submit via BreezyHR the following: 

• Cover letter explaining your interest in the position 
• Resume 
• One writing sample (no more than ten (5) pages) 
• Three (3) professional references (including at least two direct supervisors) 

Asian Law Caucus is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified persons are encouraged to apply, regardless of race, color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including HIV, cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital or domestic partner status, reproductive health decision-making, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions) gender (including gender identity and gender expression), age (40 years and over), sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status, protected medical leaves (requesting or approved for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act or the California Family Rights Act), domestic violence victim and survivor status, political affiliation, height, weight, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws.