Removal Defense Supervising Attorney

We are looking for a Removal Defense Supervising Attorney to join our team in Los Angeles!

Who We Are

Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL) is the nation’s largest legal & civil rights organization that advocates for Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders (AAPIs). Founded in 1983, AJSOCAL supports over 15,000 individuals & organizations annually. AJSOCAL offers free legal help, engages in impact litigation, & advocates for policy change. Our services are open to individuals of all races & ethnicities, without restriction. AJSOCAL strives to be a champion for the most vulnerable members of the AAPI communities, while advancing civil rights & social justice for everyone.

Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California offices are located in downtown Los Angeles & Orange County, with presence in Sacramento, ensuring accessibility for all. With our Advancing Justice affiliates in Atlanta, Chicago, & Washington, D.C., we enrich, enhance, & serve our communities all across the country.

We provide supportive services for individuals wanting to start the immigration process through Family-Based Immigration, Asylum, Temporary Protected Status, the Violence Against Women Act, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, T-Visa, & U-Visa. We also offer free citizenship workshops & resources to help you on your naturalization journey. Beyond immigration, we also lead community-centered initiatives such as the Asian Language Legal Intake Project (ALLIP), the Survivor & Family Empowerment (SAFE) Project, the Housing Preservation (HP) Program, & our Health Access Project (HAP). In addition, our Demographic Research Project (DRP) & Community Engagement (CE) teams drive data-informed strategies & grassroots partnerships that deepen our impact across Southern California. Our Impact Litigation Team looks to create systemic change for our communities, while our Policy Team continues to shape laws & local practices that impact millions of Asian American & immigrant families across California.

Who You Are

You share our mission of advocacy for AAPIs. You enjoy the thrill of serving the public interest while championing civil rights & social justice. You take pride in your work enriching lives & communities in Los Angeles & across the country. You are looking for your next role in an organization that supports your career as much as you support the organization & its goals. You are looking for a job where you make a difference, & your impact is directly proportional to your contribution. You are a game changer. You are a leader. You are an advocate.

Why You'll Love Working at AJSOCAL

At Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL), our people are our greatest strength. We are committed to fostering a workplace where employees feel supported, respected, and empowered to do meaningful work that creates lasting impact for Asian American and Pacific Islander communities across Southern California. 

When you join AJSOCAL, you're not just building a career — you're joining a collaborative team that values professional growth, work-life balance, and community. 

Our Benefits & Perks
The benefits outlined below reflect those available to full-time employees (FTEs). Part-time employees (PTEs) also enjoy access to benefits, prorated according to their regularly scheduled hours and subject to applicable eligibility requirements and plan provisions. 

🌿Work-Life Balance 

• Friday Wellness Hours for eligible employees, providing Friday afternoons to recharge while remaining compensated
• Hybrid work opportunities for eligible positions 
• Flexible work schedules 
• Generous paid vacation, sick leave, and 16 paid organizational holidays in addition to 1 floating holiday 
• Winter office closure 
• Paid parental leave, bereavement leave, and other supportive leave programs 
• Sabbatical opportunities for eligible employees 

💰Financial & Everyday Benefits 

• 403(b) retirement plan with employer contributions (after eligibility requirements are met) 
• Technology stipend 
• Public transportation reimbursement 
• Bilingual/Biliterate stipend for qualifying positions 
• Gated parking lot 

💙Comprehensive Health & Wellness 

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance (base plan fully covered for employee) 
• Employer-paid life insurance and long-term disability insurance 
• Supplement term life insurance for yourself and loved ones (spouse and/or dependents) 
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) 
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) 
• Wellness programming designed to support your physical and mental well-being 

📚Invest in Your Growth 

• Professional development funding upon approval 
• Conferences, trainings, and continuing education opportunities 
• Professional membership covered upon approval 
• Leadership development and career growth opportunities 

🎉A Workplace You'll Enjoy 

• Inclusive, collaborative culture where every voice matters 
• Commitment to inclusive workplace culture and belonging 
• Opportunities to build meaningful relationships with colleagues across programs and departments 

❤️Meaningful Work 

• Make a tangible difference through mission-driven work that advances civil rights, equity, and justice
• Collaborate with passionate colleagues who care deeply about the communities we serve

Qualifications

About the Role

We are urgently looking to hire a Removal Defense Supervising Attorney to lead our growing removal defense efforts & to begin as soon as possible. Under the direction of the Program Director, the Supervising Attorney is responsible for the oversight & supervision of removal defense (& ancillary) cases handled by staff & pro bono attorneys. The Supervising Attorney will collaborate with the Program Director to continually assess, calibrate, & adjust the removal defense program’s structure, strategy, & workflows to prioritize responsiveness to evolving immigration policies & enforcement trends. The Supervising Attorney will carry a caseload of primarily removal defense cases & provide high quality, client-centered representation to individuals facing removal proceedings through zealous direct representation. The Supervising Attorney will supervise staff who represent clients in bond hearings, detention, removal proceedings, appeals, writs of habeas corpus, as well as ancillary affirmative relief for survivors (VAWA, U & T Visas), Asylum (Affirmative & Defensive), Adjustment of Status, Family Based Petitions, TPS & DACA. The Supervising Attorney will also supervise & guide staff who are representing clients before USCIS, ICE ISAP (Intensive Supervision Program) check-ins, & the Executive Office for Immigration review.

This position will provide technical support & capacity building to pro bono counsel, other nonprofit organizations, & when necessary, will help staff evening & weekend workshops. In addition, the Supervising Attorney will conduct immigration trainings, community outreach & education to local organizations & other partners. The current caseload for the incoming supervising attorney will focus primarily on removal defense representation for existing clients. This position is NOT covered under the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Your Day-to-Day Responsibilities:

70% - Provide Direct Supervision of Immigration Cases & Carry Own Immigration Caseload:

• Provide supervision & oversight of removal defense cases handled by staff & pro bono attorneys, including related matters such as detained cases, ICE check-ins, & both affirmative & defensive asylum
• Alongside the Program Director, evaluates the performance of direct reports
• Carry an active caseload of removal defense & immigration cases, which includes but is not limited to:
  • Providing high-quality direct representation for diverse clients with complex immigration cases before EOIR & USCIS, & in ancillary state proceedings where applicable
  • Represent clients in ICE custody or at ICE check-ins & other immigration related appointments, including travelling to detention centers & other custodial settings
  • Prepare briefs, motions, supporting evidence, immigration applications & other documents on behalf of clients
  • Work with country conditions experts, expert witnesses, psychologists, & medical professionals to develop supporting evidence for immigration relief applications
  • Undertake administrative & logistical duties related to direct service assistance
  • Travel to offsite clinics, immigration courts, detention centers, & USCIS field offices to represent clients in immigration matters
  • Lead compliance with grant requirements by completing necessary documentation & outcomes

15% - Provide Technical Assistance & Support:

• Organize & implement various immigration trainings to staff, pro bono counsel & community partners
• Create & reinforce criteria for intake staff to review & approve appointments for immigration egal consultations, answer immigration related questions & review documents
• Plan & execute workshops & clinics

15% - Community Outreach & Education:

• Help develop & execute community outreach strategies for the Immigration Services Program, including how to inform appropriate responses to community needs & requests
• Conduct outreach engagements with local community-based organizations & partners to present information sessions on Immigration, Naturalization & Immigrant Rights
• Alongside the Program Director, provide guidance & direct support in implementing statewide & national removal defense networks, including building relationships with stakeholders & developing outreach plans
• Other duties as assigned

All positions are subject to funding, and non-collective bargaining unit positions are also at will.

AJSOCAL participates in the federal E-Verify program. Newly hired employees will be required to complete Form I-9 and be verified through E-Verify to confirm eligibility to work in the United States. Participation in E-Verify is conducted in accordance with federal law and applicable employment regulations.

At AJSOCAL, we value a diverse, inclusive workforce and we provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual’s race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws.  AJSOCAL strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or other covered persons, including interns.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment and selection process. If you require an accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact us at HR@ajsocal.org.