Staff Attorney​/Senior Staff Attorney

Purpose of the Job

The Staff Attorney/Senior Staff Attorney will assist in administering Human Rights First’s pro bono asylum legal representation work. This position will mentor law firm attorneys providing representation in affirmative and defensive asylum cases. In addition, the staff attorney/senior staff attorney will engage in direct representation of asylum seekers.

Job Title:

Staff Attorney/Senior Staff Attorney
Reporting Office:
Los Angeles, CA
Department:
Refugee Representation
Job Classification:
Full‑time;
Exempt
Supervisor:
Managing Attorney
Union Classification:
Union
Accountable To:
Director, Refugee Representation
Last Updated: 2/4/2026

• Assist in identifying cases for direct representation and pro bono placement within the Refugee Representation program.
• Conduct legal screenings and intake interviews with asylum seekers, including those held in Department of Homeland Security (DHS) custody.
• Provide legal information to asylum seekers and help lead pro‑se clinics or know‑your‑rights workshops conducted by the Refugee Representation team.
• Ensure that asylum seekers accepted into Human Rights First’s pro bono program receive high‑quality legal representation by (1) directly representing clients and (2) providing in‑depth mentoring to volunteer attorneys.
• Represent detained asylum seekers in habeas petitions before federal district courts, removal and custody proceedings before the Immigration Court, and requests to DHS. Also represent non‑detained asylum seekers before the Immigration Court, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE), including accompanying clients to ICE check‑ins. Provide volunteer attorneys with prompt and thorough legal and procedural support on pro‑bono asylum cases, including strategizing on individual cases, reviewing draft submissions, and informing volunteers of significant legal developments in asylum law.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local law firms, corporations, law school clinics, and volunteer attorneys.
• Assist in placing cases with volunteer attorneys and promote attorney interest in pro‑bono representation of asylum seekers.
• Collaborate with other local service providers to strategize on how to best meet the needs of the immigrant population and improve access to legal representation.
• Identify, analyze, and respond to legal or procedural changes that affect asylum seekers, including statutory changes, proposed regulations, and court decisions.
• Contribute to and lead efforts to develop training materials for volunteer attorneys, including the online Pro Bono Resource Library and other manuals, memoranda, videos, or trainings.
• Provide legal advice, mentorship, and guidance to Refugee Representation staff and interns across all offices, and work with the entire Refugee Representation team to ensure inter‑office support and team collaboration.
• Assist in managing the law school and undergraduate internship program, including recruiting and supervising legal interns.
• Assist in furthering advocacy initiatives by meeting with local officials at government agencies and engaging in other advocacy efforts in collaboration with the Refugee Advocacy and Communication teams, as needed.
• Promote Human Rights First’s mission by participating in local community, promotional, and other professional networking events to increase the organization’s profile in the community.
• Assist in efforts to secure and maintain funding for the organization and Refugee Representation team.
• Other duties as requested based on team and/or organization needs.

• A U.S. law degree (J.D.) and active bar membership.
• Senior Staff Attorney:
  At least five years of experience representing asylum seekers at all levels of the administrative process, including immigration court experience.
• Staff Attorney:
  At least two years of experience representing asylum seekers at all levels of the administrative process, including immigration court experience.
• Fluency in Spanish is strongly preferred (reading and writing); fluency in additional languages is a plus.
• Commitmen…