Immigration Staff Attorney, Affirmative Unit

Immigration Staff Attorney, Affinity Unit

Canal Alliance exists to break the generational cycle of poverty for Latino immigrants and their families by lifting barriers to their success. We are a nonprofit champion of immigrants who are challenged by a lack of resources and an unfamiliar environment. Every day, we educate, empower, support, and partner with motivated immigrants to best meet all their unique needs—from putting food on the table, to becoming American citizens, to learning English, to graduating from college.

We strive for a trauma‑informed collaborative and inclusive culture.

The Affinity Unit Staff Attorney will represent ILS clients in a variety of humanitarian immigration matters, focusing on affirmative cases. The role maintains a caseload representing clients before the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). This full‑time, exempt position requires a hybrid work model with three days a week in the office and availability for hearings and interviews in San Francisco as needed.

• Conduct client intakes and consultations, assess eligibility, develop case strategy, and represent individuals before USCIS in a variety of humanitarian applications.
• Cover hearings before EOIR as needed.
• Ensure all cases are filed timely in accordance with departmental policies and grant deliverable timelines.
• Comply with ILS policies, procedures, and best practices, including entering data into the case management software (Law Logix), collecting fees, executing contracts with clients, and filing applications in a timely manner.
• Compile client data for reporting requirements.
• Participate in regular meetings, including one‑on‑one check‑ins with supervisor, Affinity Unit meetings, ILS department meetings, all staff meetings, and quarterly all‑staff retreats.
• Attend immigration legal trainings and behavioral health trainings as needed.
• Participate in other team and agency meetings and projects.
• Assist Supervising Attorney in improving effective and efficient inter‑ and intra‑agency referral systems.

• J.D. and a member in good standing of any state bar.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish, with oral and written fluency—required.
• Prior experience in immigration law.
• Experience working with Law Logix or other legal case management software preferred.
• Able to sit for extended periods, with sufficient mobility to work in standard office/courtroom settings.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and attention to detail.
• Strong legal research and analytical skills.
• Able to meet deadlines in a high‑volume, fast‑paced environment while consistently maintaining quality standards.
• Able to excel working both independently and collaboratively in remote and in‑person settings.
• Commitment to serving immigrants and sensitivity to the needs of low‑income, vulnerable clients.
• Canal Alliance requires all staff to be COVID‑vaccinated except for those who have medical or religious beliefs exemptions.

This full‑time, exempt position offers a competitive salary range of $80,000–$85,000 and a benefits package that includes 3 weeks paid vacation per year, 12 days of sick leave per year, paid birthday each year, 13 paid holidays per year, 100% paid employee medical and dental insurance, life insurance, LTD, and EAP, 403(b) retirement plan with employer match up to 4% after 3 months, voluntary benefits including FSA, vision, life and pet insurance, coverage for dependents, and telehealth for physical and mental health.

We have a 4‑day work week, with typical hours Monday–Thursday 9 am‑5 pm, and occasional longer days as needed.

This hybrid position requires a minimum of 3 days onsite at our HQ at 711 Grand Ave., San Rafael, CA. Attendance at quarterly in‑person staff retreats, and any other in‑person trainings and meetings as needed, as well as occasional night and weekend events.

Please email your resume and cover letter to HR and answer the following questions in your cover letter or body of email: 1. Why do you want to work at Canal Alliance? 2. Please describe your immigration law experience. 3. How did you gain your Spanish fluency? Only electronic applications will be accepted. Please indicate “Staff Attorney – YOUR NAME” in the subject line of your email.