Staff Attorney, Colectiva Legal del Pueblo

Position:

Colectiva Legal del Pueblo (CLP) is hiring for a full-time staff attorney. The immigration
services include U-visas, Asylum and family petitions as well as representing clients in detained
and non-detained removal proceedings. This position is based out of the Burien, WA office and
may require some statewide travel.

Responsibilities:

• Because CLP is a non-hierarchical organization, all staff members play a key role in collective duties within the office including: daily operations, organizational development and governance
• Provide direct legal representation in immigration matters before the Seattle and Tacoma Immigration Courts (EOIR), Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and state custody proceedings
• Conduct presentations, workshops, legal clinics and individual consultations in English and Spanish
• Provide support to community organizing projects and deportation defense campaigns in coordination with family members of clients and grassroots community partners
• Maintain and establish relationships with community-based organizations, community partners, immigration service providers, policy/advocacy groups and coalitions relevant to CLP’s work
• Ability to work evenings and weekends when necessary
• Perform other tasks as required

Qualifications:

• Admitted to the bar of any state in the U.S. (Washington State preferred)
• Knowledge of immigration law and 2 or more years of immigration law practice preferred, especially experience in removal defense, appeals, U-visa and family petitions
• Fluency in Spanish required. The position requires the ability to communicate daily through oral and written communication in both Spanish and English. Fluency in additional languages is preferred
• Experience providing direct legal services to clients in crisis, as clients will include survivors of trauma who have experienced domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, torture, and other forms of violence
• Must have the ability to work independently, solve problems and must be able to prioritize tasks, work well under pressure and meet tight deadlines
• Applicant must have a valid driver’s license and/or access to reliable transportation as the position involves some travel, particularly to the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma and Immigration Court in downtown Seattle
• Demonstrated commitment to immigrant rights and social justice issues

How to Apply:

Please send a resume, cover letter, writing sample (maximum of five pages, provide an excerpt if applicable), responses to supplemental questions listed below, and list of three references to
jobs. All documents must be attached in PDF format in one email with “Staff Attorney Position” in the subject heading. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. No phone calls please.

Please answer the following questions:
1. Why do you want to work for Colectiva Legal del Pueblo? What draws you to this work?
Please answer in 500 words or less.
2. How do you define social justice and what is the role of community organizing in social
justice work? Please answer in 500 words or less.
3. What does working in a collective mean to you? Please answer in 500 words or less.