Morrison & Foerster LLP
ID: 9811
Job Posting Title: Immigration Pro Bono Counsel
Location: Office Location Flexible
At MoFo, we couldn't write our own success story without yours. Ready to write your story?
Join MoFo as a Pro Bono Immigration Counsel on our Attorney Talent team!
This role can be based in San Francisco, Palo Alto, Los Angeles, San Diego, Denver, Austin, Boston, New York or Washington, D.C.
https://www.mofo.com/offices
ABOUT THE ROLE
The Pro Bono Immigration Counsel, under the direction of the Pro Bono Committee Chair and Vice Chair and Senior Pro Bono Counsel, will promote and facilitate attorney engagement in pro bono immigration representation. The Pro Bono Immigration Counsel is an integral member of the pro bono team, with primary responsibility for managing and expanding the firm's pro bono immigration practice. The Pro Bono Immigration Counsel works collaboratively with the full pro bono team to carry out the Firm's commitment to a robust pro bono program.
Program Development
- Lead all aspects of the pro bono immigration program in the firm's U.S. offices and occasional projects in offices outside of the U.S.
- Take lead in developing procedures for the firm's pro bono immigration practice to ensure efficient and effective use of Firm resources.
- Identify and assess new opportunities to enlarge the pro bono immigration practice and increase attorney participation.
- Work closely with the pro bono team to develop and coordinate limited-scope immigration projects and clinics, including to facilitate partnerships with corporate clients.
- Develop creative approaches to serving immigrant communities in need in concert with legal services organizations and other private law firms.
Administration
- Review requests to open pro bono immigration matters to ensure clients have been adequately screened, staffing is appropriate, mentorship is in place, the team has sufficient information to estimate the time commitment, and attorneys understand the scope of the commitment.
- Work with the pro bono team and Pro Bono Committee to ensure immigration opportunities are distributed broadly and, once opened, properly supervised.
- Resolve complex issues relating to the firm's pro bono immigration program, consulting with, as necessary, other pro bono counsel, the Pro Bono Committee, and the firm's office of General Counsel.
- Refine risk management protocols to ensure adequate representation of pro bono immigration clients, especially when lawyers handling their matters leave the firm.
- Act as liaison with the firm's language vendor for provision of matter-specific interpretation and translation services. In addition, develop and keep up-to-date resources for local language-assistance providers.
Attorney Training and Resources
- Help attorneys locate and obtain immigration projects in their areas of interest by working with legal service organizations and other referral sources.
- Arrange for trainings in various types of immigration matters and promote relevant trainings offered by external providers.
- Monitor changes in immigration laws and policies, providing attorney teams with relevant, targeted legal information, e.g., sample filings, documents, and instructions.
- Organize internal and external exemplars, practice guides, and similar resources.
- Integrate immigration training materials and resources into MoFo Learn system.
Case Mentorship and Support
- Participate in kick-off meetings with teams taking on substantive full-scope matters, ensuring involvement of the supervising partner and team awareness of and access to relevant resources.
- In cooperation with mentoring organizations, provide substantive guidance to immigration legal teams firmwide, answering questions and offering sample materials, instructions, and research information.
- Review draft filings, such as application packages and court submissions, providing timely feedback.
- Help teams prepare for USCIS interviews and immigration hearings and trials, including coordinating or conducting mock interviews and hearings/trials.
- Conduct regularly scheduled check-ins with teams about pending matters.
Case Continuity
- Take over as attorney of record during attorney leaves or departures, when needed.
- Maintain client contact during dormant periods in cases.
- Orient new teams to case history and current posture when cases reactivate.
- Develop system to ensure complete case records are available when cases reactivate.
Community and Bar Development
- Develop and maintain relationships with immigration service providers in communities where firm has offices as well as national immigrant advocacy organizations to stay informed about immigrants' legal needs and available services.
- Represent the firm in activities of local and state bar associations, legal service providers, nonprofit organizations, and community groups in regions where firm has offices.
- Facilitate introductions for attorneys who wish to establish relationships with organizations that provide immigration legal assistance.
ABOUT YOU
Education and Experience
- Juris Doctor (JD) degree.
- Bar membership in good standing in the jurisdiction of residence.
- At least 5 years of work as an attorney in an immigration practice
Required Skills and Competencies
- Expertise in a broad range of humanitarian immigration law, including asylum, removal defense, naturalization, adjustment of status, temporary protected status, humanitarian parole, SIJS, VAWA, and T and U visas.
- Commitment to protecting immigrants' rights and advocating for social justice.
- Experience supervising and guiding other attorneys; strong leadership skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication and advocacy skills; ability to explain and teach immigration law.
- Excellent problem-solving skills, sharp attention to detail, and ability to work independently.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively in complex systems with a diverse group of people.
- Ability to work under tight deadlines.
- Flexibility to travel as needed.
- Flexibility to adjust hours and work the hours necessary to meet operating and business needs.
Preferred Skills
- Familiarity with working at, or with, large private law firms.
- Fluency in Spanish.
Professional Memberships
- Expected to join the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and Association of Pro Bono Counsel (APBCO).
ABOUT MOFO
At MoFo, we collaborate as one firm, across borders, practice areas, and business functions and value fresh ideas and innovation over conformity and competition.
- About Us: https://www.mofo.com/about
- Diversity + Inclusion: https://careers.mofo.com/careers-diversity
- Commitment to Pro Bono: https://careers.mofo.com/careers-pro-bono
- The MoFo Foundation: https://www.mofo.com/culture/mofo-foundation
ABOUT OUR BENEFITS
MoFo offers a comprehensive benefits package starting on your first day.
- A variety of options for medical, dental, vision, life and disability coverage to meet the needs of you and your family.
- Industry-leading parental leave and family benefits including adoption and fertility treatment options and backup child and elder care.
- Global wellness program, including free access to Talkspace and Calm apps.
- Annual community service day to make an impact on your community and a birthday holiday just for fun.
- Education reimbursement annually.
- Dedicated Talent Development team.
- Competitive annual profit-sharing contribution.
Where required by law, salary ranges are stated below. Additional compensation may include a discretionary bonus, overtime as applicable, health/welfare benefits, retirement contributions, paid holidays, and PTO. The range displayed is specifically for positions performed in those cities/states and may vary based on factors including but not limited to the following: local market data and ranges; an applicant's skills and prior relevant experience; and certain degrees, licensing, and certifications. The application deadline is June 2025.
New York, San Francisco, Palo Alto salary range: $240K to $290K
Los Angeles, San Diego, Boston, Washington, D.C. salary range: $230K to $275K
Denver, Austin salary range: $215K to $260K
Morrison & Foerster is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, religion, creed, ethnic or national origin, ancestry, age, disability, veteran or military status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, domestic partner status, and other categories protected by applicable laws, or in retaliation for opposition to any practices forbidden under this policy.
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