Reports to: Deputy Legal Director
Full-time, Exempt Position
Location: San Francisco, Fremont, Oakland, Napa, Redwood City, Petaluma, or Brentwood
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 client service, and 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.
Our removal defense attorneys represent individuals and families facing deportation. We appear in Immigration Court, before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) and Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and in federal court. We are committed to excellent lawyering, strong mentorship, and sustainable long-term public interest careers.
Position Overview
IIBA seeks a Removal Defense Staff Attorney or Senior Staff Attorney to join our removal defense team. Attorneys represent immigrants in removal proceedings and related litigation, including Immigration Court hearings, appellate advocacy, and rapid‑response federal habeas litigation challenging unlawful detention or removal.
Primary Responsibilities
- Represent clients in Immigration Court, including bond hearings, master calendar hearings, motion practice, and merits hearings.
- Prepare and file applications for relief from removal, including asylum, cancellation of removal, adjustment of status in proceedings, and other forms of relief.
- Develop evidentiary records including client declarations, expert evidence, and country conditions documentation.
- Draft legal motions, briefs, and supporting documentation.
- File and brief appeals before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA).
- Litigate petitions for review before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals when appropriate.
- Participate in rapid‑response federal litigation, including filing habeas petitions challenging unlawful detention and being “on-call” for rapid habeas filing.
- Maintain client communication and provide client-centered legal counseling.
- Participate in team case rounds, trainings, and collaborative litigation strategy.
- Supervise interns, volunteers, or fellows when appropriate.
Staff Attorney Qualifications
- J.D. and active membership in any U.S. state bar.
- Commitment to removal defense and immigrant rights advocacy.
- Strong legal research, writing, and client‑centered advocacy skills.
- Ability to manage an active litigation docket with supervision and mentorship.
- Spanish fluency preferred.
Senior Staff Attorney Qualifications
- All Staff Attorney qualifications.
- Demonstrated experience managing a removal defense docket (typically 25–30 cases).
- At least five completed merits hearings as lead attorney or equivalent litigation experience.
- Experience filing and briefing BIA appeals and/or federal court litigation.
- Ability to mentor junior attorneys, paralegals, and BIA‑accredited representatives.
- Strong litigation judgment and ability to contribute to case strategy.
Professional Culture
IIBA is committed to building a supportive and sustainable removal defense practice. Our team prioritizes mentorship, collaborative case strategy, manageable caseloads, and a work environment that supports long‑term public interest careers. Attorneys receive ongoing training and work closely with experienced litigators across Immigration Court, appellate, and federal litigation.
Salary and Benefits
Staff Attorney salary range: $78,000 – $85,000.
Senior Staff Attorney salary range: $85,000 – $98,000.
Salary placement within the range is based on qualifications, experience, internal equity, and market factors. Candidates with substantial experience may be considered for compensation above the listed range.
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 5% employer contribution
- Insurance: Health, dental, life, vision, chiropractic & acupuncture. Medical and dependent care pre-tax reimbursement accounts.
- Transportation reimbursement account.
- Vacation: three weeks (15 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.
Applicants for employment in the United States must have work authorization that does not currently or in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the United States.
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.
For more information on IIBA, see our website: www.iibayarea.org. Position opened until filled.
Applicants for employment in the United States must have work authorization that 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.