Experience

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  Justice and Diversity Center of the San Francisco Bar Association

  • Immigrant Legal Defense Program Director

    • Sep 2020 - Present

  • Legal Director SFILDC

    • May 2019 - Present

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  THE JUSTICE AND DIVERSITY CENTER OF THE BAR ASSOCIATION OF SAN FRANCIS

  • San Francisco, CA

  • Legal Director

    • May 2019 - Present
    • San Francisco, CA

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  Immigration Center for Women and Children (ICWC)

  • San Francisco, CA

  • Supervising Attorney

    • Dec 2014 - Apr 2019
    • San Francisco, CA

    Staff Attorney for unaccompanied children in removal proceedings, focusing primarily on Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. Prepare and file U visas, VAWA self petitions and DACA applications. Supervising attorney for Legal Orientation Program for Custodians.

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  Centro de Ayuda Legal para Inmigrantes (CALI)

  • Santa Clara, California

  • Lead Attorney

    • Feb 2013 - Dec 2014
    • Santa Clara, California

    Staff attorney providing low cost legal services at Bay Area non-profit organization. Consulted directly with clients during the intake process. Managed case load for attorneys and support staff. Supervised work of legal assistants and other staff attorneys. Prepared and filed for relief with USCIS for low income clients with an emphasis on U visas, VAWA self petitions and DACA.

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  Law Offices of Antonia Stainbrook

  • Immigration Attorney

    • 2009 - Sep 2012

    Boutique practice with a focus on the overlap between immigration and criminal law. Work with the family and friends of clients to facilitate the transition from county jail to ICE custody. Draft and file successful motions with the Immigration Court for clients in removal proceedings. Attend Master Calendar Hearings at EOIR in San Francisco. Prepare and file cancellation of removal and defensive asylum applications before the IJ. Work directly with clients to document and complete the following types of petitions with USCIS: I-918, I-130, N-400, I-821, I-589 and I-360. Request and review Freedom of Information Act files from CBP, USCIS and EOIR. Meet with clients during intake to determine eligibility of relief.

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  Immigration Group, LLP

  • Contract Attorney

    • 2009 - 2009

    Consulted with clients in the office and on the phone in order to deterimine their immigration needs. Conducted legal research on LPR cancellation of removal, inadmissability, 212 waivers, crimes involving moral turitude, aggravated felonies, family unity protection. Prepared sworn affidavits, motions to reopen and a notice of appeal. Contacted ICE officers to obtain more information about our clients in detainment and requested orders of supervision and stay of removal. Requested and reviewed FBI clearances and FOIA documents to advise clients of their legal options. Met with USCIS on behalf of clients using Infopass. Provided free legal advice on behalf of the firm at local events.

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  US Bank

  • Compliance Specialist

    • 2002 - 2009

    Managed databases and files to ensure compliance with auditing standards.

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  Canal Alliance/Asian Law Caucus

  • Volunteer Attorney

    • 2008 - 2008

    Assist attorneys in Bay Area non-profit organizations specializing in immigration. Perform research on country conditions. Help identify and shape issues and arguments based on research. Index and organize research for document packets. Volunteer at legal clinics providing advice in all immigration related matters and assist with the preparation and filing of immigrant petitions.

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  Office of Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi

  • Immigration Intern

    • 2006 - 2006

    Intern assigned to work with the Immigration Specialist in the office of Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi. Responded to requests from constituents on immigration related matters. Contacted FBI regarding status of security clearances. Assisted members of the immigrant community with the preparation of the N-400 at Speaker Pelosi's Citizenship Day Workshop. Filled out and translated the N-400 form for Spanish speaking individuals. Attended training sessions regarding the requirements of applying for citizenship and any circumstances that might bar eligibility to citizenship.

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  Contract Attorney

  • Document Review/Processing

    • 2005 - 2005

    Document review and processing for litigation support firms. Worked with clients to establish relevancy criteria for software development. Manually reviewed documents using Concordance in preparation for depositions. Performed quality control functions for document collection. Trained non-attorneys to perform manual review of collection.

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  International Rescue Committee

  • Immigration Intern

    • 2005 - 2005

    Prepared and filed immigration paperwork for IRC refugees and asylees using Immigrant Pro. Assisted clients in the preparation of green card applications and family petitions. Met with clients to discuss their citizenship status and update information with US Immigration & Citizenship Services. Volunteered to provide social services for refugee families being relocated in the Bay Area.