Founded in 1896, the Gould School of Law has a distinguished past built on the principles of equity and excellence, and the courage to break new ground. USC first introduced legal education in Southern California. Today, the Law School continues to make history through its philosophy of innovation and through its people. USC Gould cultivates analytical ability, ethical values, and a spirit of collegiality that prepare students for meaningful careers benefiting society. It was one of the first law schools to engage students in clinical programs and remains a leader in experiential education.

ATTENTION: This is a 1-year fixed-term, full-time, benefits-eligible position with the possibility of renewal contingent on funding. All candidates must submit a cover letter and resume in order to be considered for this position.

The Los Angeles County Office of Immigrant Affairs (OIA) has established the Los Angeles County Detained Immigrant Defense Bar Panel, which is administered by the USC Gould School of Law Immigration Clinic. The Gould Immigration Clinic is seeking applications for a Project Director for this new initiative. The Bar Panel will be composed of immigration attorneys in private practice or employed by nonprofit organizations who will be compensated for providing legal representation in immigration court to detained residents of Los Angeles County.

The Project Director will have responsibility for the administration of the Bar Panel, including vetting Bar Panel applicants, conducting client intakes, placing cases, providing technical assistance to Bar Panel members, administering payments to Bar Panel members, monitoring compliance with Bar Panel requirements, and providing case tracking reports.  The Project Director will supervise support staff who will assist with these activities.

Bar Panel members will represent clients in immigration and / or U.S. District Court matters that include bond hearings, credible fear interviews, removal proceedings, and habeas corpus petitions. The Bar Panel will concentrate on providing representation to individuals while detained.  If released from detention, after providing appropriate assistance with change of venue, providing referral information for new non-detained legal representation and case management services, the Bar Panel will generally no longer provide representation.

The Project Director will work with and be overseen by the co-directors of the Gould Immigration Clinic. The Project Director will also regularly consult with and coordinate with the Office of Immigrant Affairs in the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs (DCBA).

The ideal candidate will have/demonstrate:

• J.D. degree;

• admission to and active California Bar license (attorneys admitted outside of California will be considered);

• minimum of 5 years of experience practicing immigration law;

• experience with representation of clients in removal proceedings and bond proceedings in immigration court;

• strong management skills;

• strong organizational skills;

• experience supervising staff members;

• ability to work independently.

• fluency in Spanish.

ATTENTION: This is a 1-year fixed-term, full-time, benefits-eligible position with the possibility of renewal contingent on funding. All candidates must submit a cover letter and resume in order to be considered for this position.

The Gould School of Law (Gould) considers candidates that demonstrate, through ideas, words and actions, a strong commitment to USC’s Unifying Values. Gould holds a unique position in society, and within the university, as every aspect of these principles are influenced by and can be protected through legal rules and institutions.  At Gould, we are proudly committed to maintaining a community in which each person respects the rights of others to live, work, and learn in peace and dignity, to be proud of who and what they are, and to have equal opportunity to realize their full potential as individuals and members of society.

Learn more about our benefits and perks here: https://employees.usc.edu/benefits-perks/

The annual base salary range for this position is $80,000 - $140,000. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying. 

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at [email protected]. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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