Staff or Senior Staff Attorney – Habeas
Immigration Institute of the Bay Area (IIBA)
Full-time, Exempt
About IIBA
The Immigration Institute of the Bay Area was founded in 1918, and its mission is to welcome, educate and serve immigrants, refugees and their families as they join and contribute to the community. IIBA provides immigration legal services, English and civic education, and other services throughout the Bay Area, as well as through its collaborative efforts with local and regional service providers. IIBA offers a team-oriented, collegial and collaborative work environment. We pride ourselves on providing excellent service to our clients, and we know our organization runs on the hard work and dedication of our passionate employees.
At IIBA, we have a clear vision: to be the place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come, to stay, and to do their best work. IIBA’s dedication to promoting diversity, multiculturalism, and inclusion is reflected in the work that we do. We are committed to equity and believe deeply in the value of diversity of race, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, ethnicity, national origin and all the other wonderful characteristics that make us human.
Position Overview
IIBA seeks a Habeas Staff Attorney or Senior Staff Attorney to join our work with the Bay Area Habeas Network and our removal defense team. The attorney will staff weekly on-call shifts for the Bay Area Habeas Network, filing same-day habeas petitions for people arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The attorney will litigate those habeas petitions through the temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction, and final merits stage. The attorney will also represent their clients on related litigation, including pre and post deprivation bond hearings and motions to enforce in district court. The attorney will also represent clients on a limited number of removal defense cases. The caseload may vary depending on organizational need.
Primary Responsibilities
- Serve one designated day each week as the BAHN on-call attorney, filing same-day habeas petitions and motions for temporary restraining orders in the Northern District of California for people arrested by ICE and referred to BAHN.
- Litigate habeas petitions through the temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction, and final merits stages.
- Co-counsel and collaborate with pro bono attorneys on habeas cases.
- Represent clients on related litigation including pre and post deprivation bond hearings and motions to enforce.
- Maintain a small docket of removal defense cases before the immigration court, Board of Immigration Appeals, or Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
- Maintain client communication and provide client-centered legal counseling.
- Participate in team case rounds, trainings, coalition meetings and collaborative litigation strategy.
- Supervise interns, volunteers, or fellows.
Staff Attorney Qualifications
- J.D. and active membership in the State Bar of California, which the Northern District of California requires for admission to its bar, or willingness to apply to the California Bar to become a Registered Legal Aid Attorney.
- Commitment to immigrant rights advocacy.
- Strong legal research, writing, and client‑centered advocacy skills.
- Ability to manage an active litigation docket with supervision and mentorship.
- Federal court experience preferred.
Senior Staff Attorney Qualifications
- All Staff Attorney qualifications.
- Demonstrated experience managing a removal defense docket or litigating in federal court.
- Experience with legal writing and oral advocacy.
- Ability to mentor junior attorneys, paralegals, and BIA‑accredited representatives.
- Sound litigation judgment and the ability to shape case strategy.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required
- Dedicated to providing high-quality legal assistance and capable of handling complex legal issues on behalf of low-income immigrant populations.
- Excellent interpersonal, organizational and communication skills.
- Very strong attention to detail and excellent organizational skills.
- Exceptional time management skills – ability to meet deadlines.
- Ability to act independently and exercise sound judgment.
- Commitment to serving immigrants and sensitivity to the needs of the low-income, culturally diverse newcomer community.
- Spanish fluency required
Salary and Benefits
In the spirit of pay transparency, we are excited to share the base salary range for this position is $81,000 to $112,000, excluding fringe benefits and potential bonuses. Where a candidate falls within this range will depend in part on whether they are hired at the Staff Attorney or Senior Staff Attorney level, as well as their skills, education, and experience. In addition to these factors, we believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity with current team members as part of any final offer.
IIBA offers a generous cafeteria-style benefits package, elements of which include, but are not limited to:
- Employer matching 403(B) retirement plan: up to 6% employer contribution
- Insurance: Health, dental, life, vision, chiropractic & acupuncture. Medical and dependent care pre-tax reimbursement accounts.
- Transportation reimbursement account.
- Vacation: three weeks (10 days) of accrued vacation per year with an increase each year.
- Sick Leave including paid family sick time
- Holidays: 15 paid Holidays per year, including 2 floating holidays
- Paid Parental Leave
- Eligible for Sabbatical Leave after 5 years and 10 years of continued employment.
New employees are required to work in the office 4 days a week for the first three months of their employment with IIBA. This period is crucial for onboarding, training, and integration into IIBA’s culture. After the initial three-month period, new employees may be eligible to transition to a hybrid work schedule, subject to approval by their supervisor, the needs of the office, and in accordance with IIBA policies.
How to Apply
Please send a cover letter and resume to iibayareahire@iibayarea.org and include the job title in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Applicants for employment in the United States must have work authorizationthat does not currently or in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the United States.
For more information on IIBA, see our website: www.iibayarea.org. Position opened until filled. This description intends to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. It is not intended to include all duties and responsibilities.
The order in which duties and responsibilities are listed is not significant. Because of a need to remain responsive to the needs of our clients and our Agency’s operations, responsibilities may be modified at any time.
IIBA recruits, employs, trains, compensates and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law. Persons receiving services in our programs are entitled to freedom from harassment, retaliation, and reasonable accommodation for qualified disabilities.