Public Counsel is a nonprofit public interest law firm dedicated to advancing civil rights and racial and economic justice, as well as to amplifying the power of our clients through comprehensive legal advocacy. Founded on and strengthened by a pro bono legal service model, our staff and volunteers seek justice through direct legal services, promote healthy and resilient communities through education and outreach, and support community-led efforts to transform unjust systems through litigation and policy advocacy in and beyond Los Angeles.
Public Counsel organizes its work through seven legal teams: Child, Youth & Family Advocacy,Community Development, Consumer Rights & Economic Justice (CREJ), Homelessness Prevention, Immigrants’ Rights, Education Equity, and our impact litigation team, Opportunity Under Law.
Public Counsel has a staff of approximately 170. We are committed to building a diverse staff and encourage applications from people of color, people with disabilities, and people of all gender identities, gender expressions, and sexualities. We recognize the essential role of staff in achieving our goals, and we have set a long-term intention to provide competitive compensation, benefits, training, mentorship, and overall workplace wellness, making Public Counsel a leader among nonprofit law firms.
About Immigrants’ Rights
Public Counsel’s Immigrants’ Rights team envisions a world where all (im)migrants live with dignity, power, and opportunity. Staffed by approximately 30 attorneys, administrative staff, and social workers, the team provides direct legal representation to detained immigrants as well as non-citizens seeking asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), VAWA, T and U visas, and other relief in immigration court. In addition to direct representation, the Immigrants’ Rights team engages in advocacy at the local and national levels, recruits, trains, and mentors hundreds of pro bono attorneys each year, handles appeals before the Board of Immigration Appeals, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and the California Court of Appeal, and conducts impact litigation. For 35 years, the team has been at the forefront of protecting the rights of immigrants in Los Angeles.
Job Summary
Reporting to the Supervising Attorney, the Staff Attorney will:
Provide direct legal representation to immigrant survivors with a focus on affirmative applications, including U visa, T visa, relief under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and adjustment of status matters
Provide zealous, client-centered, and trauma-informed direct representation to immigrantsurvivors of serious crime and human trafficking
Recruit, train, and supervise pro bono attorneys in U visa, VAWA, T visa and adjustment of status matters;
Engage in community education, Know Your Rights presentations, coalition spaces and advocacy to promote the rights of immigrant survivors
Work closely with the Supervising Attorney, Staff Attorney, and Program Manager
Work collaboratively with team members to provide client-centered, holistic, trauma-informed, and interdisciplinary services for clients
Collect case data and contribute to grant reports
Perform administrative tasks in support of this work, including opening and closing matters, printing and scanning documents, maintaining files, etc.
Perform other duties as assigned
Job Type And Benefits
Full-time/exempt
Salary range for an attorney with 2-8 years of experience is $78,000-$93,500, depending upon years of experience.
Bargaining
Probationary period: 9 months
Fixed-duration position funded until September 30, 2027. This position is created with designated funds through September 30, 2027. Continued employment past this date is contingent on additional funding for the position.
Public Counsel Offers a Competitive Benefits Package Including
Medical coverage with an option for 100% employer-paid employee and dependent child(ren)’s premiums; buy-up options are available for other HMO and PPO coverage
Dental and vision coverage
Option to enroll in a Flexible Spending Account
Employer-paid life insurance and disability plans
Generous Paid Time Off (per Year)
15 accrued vacation days that increase to 20 days after 3 years of employment
12 accrued sick days that may be used for physical and mental health needs
2 personal observance days
11 paid holidays plus 2 one-week office closures (during the summer and winter)
Up to 60 hours of compensatory time per calendar year (for exempt staff only)
Additional Benefits
403(b) retirement plan with an elective employee contribution, and after a year of employment a discretionary employer contribution
Free on-site parking or public transportation reimbursement
$45 per pay period for employees who use non-English language skills to perform work duties
Up to 6 months of parental leave
Organizational and team wellness activities to build team cohesion and camaraderie
Professional development support and opportunities
Annual payment of dues for required licenses or certifications (state bar dues for attorneys) and for a mutually agreed-upon professional organization
Centrally located headquarters in the heart of Koreatown, a vibrant neighborhood with easy access to public transportation, diverse dining options, and cultural attractions
Seniority level
Mid-Senior level
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Legal
Industries
Non-profit Organizations
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