LIZ GONZÁLEZ
Monrovia
Summary
Legal professional with 12+ years in non-profit immigration law, specializing in children's immigration and guardianship. Proven expertise in contract compliance and team management, consistently meeting contract deliverables. Demonstrated ability to navigate complex legal issues while ensuring favorable outcomes for organizations. Strong commitment to person-centered supervision and sustainable practices.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate Program Director
Acacia Center for Justice
06.2024 - Current
- I lead a team of 16 lawyers and legal advocates in the provision of program management support to 59 legal service providers in 81 offices, serving unaccompanied children nationwide with immigration legal services, including full-scope representation in removal proceedings.
- I partner and collaborate with the finance, data, technical compliance, and learning and development teams under the Unaccompanied Children Program to ensure cohesive and comprehensive program policies, and technical assistance for the network of legal service providers.
- I partner with the Program Directors to assist in the elevation of challenges to internal leadership and to funding partners.
- I develop and maintain relationships with project partners, including government and external stakeholders.
- I foster a collaborative program environment, promoting teamwork and cross-functional cooperation.
- I hold regular one-on-one meetings with my team to review performance and priorities and provide feedback.
- I oversee the resolution of issues and challenges impacting program delivery, facilitating problem-solving and decision-making processes.
Program Manager, Unaccompanied Children Program
Acacia Center for Justice and Vera Institute of Justice
05.2022 - 05.2024
- I supervised a team of four Senior Program Associates in their execution of site visit reports, monthly check-ins with legal service providers, and monthly reporting to the Office of Refugee Resettlement.
- I monitored the contract fulfillment of our national network of legal service providers by identifying and addressing their ongoing practices and challenges.
- I oversaw operation changes, elevated issues as appropriate to government and other stakeholders, and identified emerging needs for additional training or support of our legal service providers.
- Additionally, I ensured there is an equitable balance of site assignments amongst all senior program associates.
Senior Program Associate, Unaccompanied Children Program
Vera Institute of Justice
02.2020 - 06.2022
- As a Senior Program Associate, I used my extensive experience as a direct legal services practitioner to serve the Unaccompanied Children Program’s national network of legal service providers serving unaccompanied children with immigration legal services.
- As the first point of contact, I provided comprehensive program management support and technical assistance through regular check-in calls, email communications, and yearly site visits to ensure culturally competent and zealous representation of children.
- I worked to escalate issues to government and other stakeholders and performed monthly data verification and reporting to the government.
- I partnered with the Program Manager to ensure contract compliance and to identify challenges and best practices among the network of legal service providers.
Kinship Care Staff Attorney
Bet Tzedek Legal Services
Los Angeles
09.2016 - 02.2020
- I represented low-income caregivers in their petitions for guardianship of minors before the Probate Department at the Los Angeles Superior Court.
- I also represented children in both their affirmative and defensive immigration cases before the Los Angeles Immigration Court, Asylum Office, and USCIS.
- I helped launch Bet Tzedek’s Family Preparedness Clinic during the first Trump Administration, providing Know Your Rights presentations and helping draft Caregiver Affidavits for mixed immigration status families.
- Additionally, I trained and provided technical support to our network of Pro Bono attorneys assisting in SIJS cases and to Superior Court staff and other stakeholders working with unaccompanied youth.
Supervising Attorney
Immigration Center for Women and Children
Los Angeles
11.2014 - 09.2016
- I successfully represented hundreds of clients and their families in their affirmative U Visa, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), I-751 battered spouse waivers, Lawful Permanent Residency, Naturalization, and SIJS cases before the USCIS.
- I represented clients in affirmative and defensive asylum applications, and removal defense before the Los Angeles Immigration Court and Asylum Office.
- I trained and supervised caseworkers and administrative staff on all stages of U Visa and Adjustment of Status case preparation and management.
- I was also responsible for hiring, onboarding, and supervising our summer student intern program.
Staff Attorney
Immigration Center for Women and Children
Los Angeles
11.2012 - 11.2014
Law Clerk
Immigration Center for Women and Children
Los Angeles
05.2010 - 11.2012
Law Clerk
Public Counsel Law Center, Immigrants’ Rights Project
Los Angeles
05.2011 - 12.2011
- I worked under attorney supervision on affirmative asylum applications and participated in Public Counsel’s Legal Orientation Program, assisting immigrants facing deportation at the Santa Ana Detention Center.
Civil and Employment Rights Legal Assistant
Schonbrun, DeSimone, Seplow, Harris, Hoffman & Harrison
Venice
06.2008 - 07.2009
- Drafted pleadings and memoranda for plaintiffs’ civil and employment cases.
Legal Assistant
Immigration Center for Women and Children
Los Angeles
10.2006 - 05.2008
Education
Juris Doctor -
Southwestern Law School
Los Angeles, CA05.2012
B.A. - Spanish Literature
Reed College
Portland, OR06.2005
Skills
- Biliterate Native Spanish Speaker
- Data Analysis
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Contract Compliance
- Legal Writing
- Community Presentations
- Technical Assistance
- Team Leadership
- Crisis Management
Bar Admission
California, 12/01/12, 285471
Timeline
Associate Program Director
Acacia Center for Justice
06.2024 - Current
Program Manager, Unaccompanied Children Program
Acacia Center for Justice and Vera Institute of Justice
05.2022 - 05.2024
Senior Program Associate, Unaccompanied Children Program
Vera Institute of Justice
02.2020 - 06.2022
Kinship Care Staff Attorney
Bet Tzedek Legal Services
09.2016 - 02.2020
Supervising Attorney
Immigration Center for Women and Children
11.2014 - 09.2016
Staff Attorney
Immigration Center for Women and Children
11.2012 - 11.2014
Law Clerk
Public Counsel Law Center, Immigrants’ Rights Project
05.2011 - 12.2011
Law Clerk
Immigration Center for Women and Children
05.2010 - 11.2012
Civil and Employment Rights Legal Assistant
Schonbrun, DeSimone, Seplow, Harris, Hoffman & Harrison
06.2008 - 07.2009
Legal Assistant
Immigration Center for Women and Children
10.2006 - 05.2008
Juris Doctor -
Southwestern Law School
B.A. - Spanish Literature
Reed College
Similar Profiles
Kel WhiteKel White
Associate Director Learning & Development- Legal Access and Representation Programs at Acacia Center for JusticeAssociate Director Learning & Development- Legal Access and Representation Programs at Acacia Center for Justice
Karla DelgadoKarla Delgado
Kindergarten Teacher at Acacia Learning CenterKindergarten Teacher at Acacia Learning Center
Kayla FeddeKayla Fedde
Certified Medical Assistant at Acacia Wellness CenterCertified Medical Assistant at Acacia Wellness Center
Mr. Preston N. SocroMr. Preston N. Socro
GENERAL DIGITAL SKILLS TRAINER at Liberia Digital Transformation ProjectGENERAL DIGITAL SKILLS TRAINER at Liberia Digital Transformation Project
Hayden VelascoHayden Velasco
Assistant Karate Instructor at YMCA Santa AnitaAssistant Karate Instructor at YMCA Santa Anita