Application Guide
How to Apply for Contract Appellate Immigration Attorney
at Pangea Legal Services
🏢 About Pangea Legal Services
Pangea Legal Services stands out as a mission-driven organization that combines direct legal defense with community empowerment and policy advocacy. They work toward a world where migration is treated with dignity, making this role ideal for attorneys who want their legal work to advance systemic change. Their focus on both individual representation and broader impact creates a unique environment for immigration attorneys.
About This Role
This Contract Appellate Immigration Attorney role involves supervising Pangea attorneys on habeas petitions and appeals while personally representing clients before the BIA and federal courts, primarily in the Ninth Circuit. You'll develop template briefs on novel legal issues and stay current on precedent decisions, making this position impactful by shaping legal strategies that affect numerous immigrant clients facing deportation.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve reviewing and editing habeas petitions drafted by Pangea attorneys, conducting legal research on emerging immigration issues for template brief development, and preparing for upcoming oral arguments before the Ninth Circuit. You'll also analyze new BIA decisions and share strategic updates with the legal team while managing your own appellate caseload deadlines.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Pangea Legal Services Is Looking For
- An attorney with 5+ years of specific appellate immigration litigation experience, particularly with habeas petitions in federal district courts
- Someone with exceptional legal research and writing skills who can develop template briefs on novel immigration issues
- A self-directed professional who can manage complex appellate matters independently while meeting strict court deadlines
- An attorney with California bar membership (preferred) given the focus on Ninth Circuit and California federal district court cases
📝 Tips for Applying to Pangea Legal Services
Quantify your appellate immigration experience: specify how many BIA appeals and federal court petitions you've handled, particularly in the Ninth Circuit
Include writing samples that demonstrate habeas petition drafting and appellate brief writing on immigration issues
Highlight any experience mentoring or supervising other attorneys, as this role involves supervising Pangea attorneys
Reference specific BIA or circuit court decisions you've worked with to show your knowledge of relevant precedent
Demonstrate understanding of Pangea's dual focus on individual representation and systemic change in your application materials
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your specific experience with Ninth Circuit immigration appeals and California federal district court habeas petitions', 'Examples of developing template briefs or legal arguments that have impacted multiple clients', "How your approach to appellate work aligns with Pangea's mission of defending immigrants with dignity", 'Your ability to both supervise attorneys and personally handle complex appellate matters']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review Pangea's recent policy advocacy work and how it connects to their litigation strategy
- → Study recent Ninth Circuit immigration decisions that would impact Pangea's clients
- → Look into Pangea's specific habeas litigation work in California federal district courts
- → Understand how Pangea's community education programs inform their legal defense work
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying with only trial-level immigration experience without substantial appellate background
- Failing to demonstrate specific knowledge of Ninth Circuit immigration jurisprudence
- Not showing understanding of how habeas petitions differ from other immigration appeals
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Pangea Legal Services!