Paralegal (Internal Post Only)

Brief Description

• INTERNAL JOB POSTING***
  
  

ImmDef currently has new job openings for Paralegal roles that will be assigned to ImmDef’s removal defense teams in Santa Ana.

To be considered before the requisition opens externally, please apply via CorpStrat by COB Tuesday, October 14, 2025.

Our paralegals play an integral role on ImmDef’s legal services team and are primarily responsible for providing direct support to attorneys on all aspects of our deportation defense representation. Paralegal job responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assist attorneys with providing zealous, high-quality representation to people facing deportation within a dedicated, universal representation model legal team;
• Serve as point of contact for clients when attorney is not available;
• Conduct intake interviews with new clients and gather information necessary for immigration relief screenings;
• Collaborate with attorneys for effective case planning, development and management;
• Complete immigration forms with a high level of factual accuracy and attention to detail;
• Complete Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, records requests and other fact and document gathering tasks to support removal defense cases;
• Interview clients and family members in order to prepare declarations, letters of support and other documents to support relief from removal;
• Assist in the administrative and substantive preparation of client application packages for bond, relief from removal, and immigration benefits;
• Under attorney supervision, prepare motions, briefs, cover letters and other substantive court filings;
• Submit electronic and in-court filings;
• Maintain accurate digital and paper files according to ImmDef protocols;
• Consistently and accurately enter all client and case development information into our internal case management system;
• Conduct country conditions, legal, and factual research as directed by attorneys;
• Provide interpretation, translation of documents and communication assistance for clients as needed;
• Accurately and timely submit all case data in order to comply with ImmDef’s contractual obligations;
• Complete other tasks as assigned by attorneys or management team.
  
  

Requirements

Required Education and Experience

To be classified as a paralegal in California, you must have one of the following:

• A paralegal certificate from a school approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).
• The completion of a minimum of 24 semester hours in paralegal studies from a state-accredited school, or
• A bachelor’s degree or higher in any subject AND a minimum of one year of experience working under an attorney with a minimum of three years of experience in California law.
• Experience working at a private immigration, other law practice or public interest law firm is helpful;
• Strong writing, research, and organizational skills required;
• Enthusiasm for working at a mission driven organization and passion for social justice for immigrants required;
• Commitment to working in a diverse professional environment.
  
  

Preferred Education And Experience

• Experience with deportation defense, immigration law, family law and guardianship, or criminal law is a plus but not required;
• Experience working with children and youth, incarcerated persons, vulnerable populations or persons suffering from mental competency issues is a plus;
• Experience with family, dependency, criminal and probate court is a plus;
• Experience with Special Immigrant Juvenile Status and Asylum cases is a plus;
• Demonstrated ability to work within a high-volume, busy law office is a plus.
  
  

Level of Language Proficiency

• Spanish proficiency is required and will be tested at time of interview.
  
  

Summary

Internal Hiring Process Details

• This is a union bargaining unit position open only to current ImmDef staff.
• After submitting your resume through CorpStrat, please send an email to [email protected] and your direct supervisor notifying them that you have applied.
• If a current Paralegal is selected for this role, the move will be treated as an internal program transfer. As such, there will be no change in title and no increase in compensation, regardless of the specific responsibilities of the new assignment.
• Resumes are required and should be submitted via CorpStrat, but cover letters are neither required nor requested.
• Hiring decisions will consider the overall qualifications of the applicants, the transferability of skills, and the needs of both the hiring program and the staff member’s current program, and the recommendations of the staff member’s supervisory team.
• Only the top candidates for the position will be offered an opportunity to interview.