Hi, I'm César Nije
All people deserve the opportunity to fulfill their potential, contribute to society, and have their voices heard. As a son of immigrants and as a first-generation college graduate, it’s my mission to protect the rights and safety of children and families facing poverty.
Here's what I've done so far
Legal Advocacy
Public Counsel — Homelessness Prevention
Lead Paralegal, June 2018 – Present
Public Counsel is the largest pro bono law firm in the nation, providing legal aid in veteran’s advocacy, children’s rights, and housing law among others. As Lead Paralegal, I meet clients for initial case assessment; organize and maintain documents; analyze factual information; construct exhibit lists for trial; draft, index, and summarize pleadings and correspondence produced by opposing parties; draft legal memorandum to clients regarding case status and preparation; research legal issues and rules; assist in trial preparation; draft and propound discovery responses; perform in-person court research and e-filing; and provide training for new paralegals and attorneys.
★ Current Chair of firm’s Equity and Inclusion Committee, re-engineering internal practices and policies to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives
★ Drafted and filed ex parte motions and declarations with LA Superior Court to successfully negotiate settlements and reinstate tenancies for families facing eviction in South LA
★ Promoted from intake coordinator to paralegal to develop intake, grant reporting, and client file management protocol for a pilot housing project
Public Counsel — Immigrants’ Rights
Intake Coordinator, September 2016 – June 2018
As Intake Coordinator, I supervised the active caseload of Central American refugee family cases;assisted in the preparation and filing of applications and legal documents; conducted country conditions research; translated (both written and verbal) including interpretation at client interviews before USCIS; and recruited and managed volunteers.
★ Founded firm’s “Mobilization is Beautiful” Photo Booth, dedicated to providing free and sustainable passport photo services for all clients with DACA, asylum, and work permit applications
★ Co-Founded and Co-Led firm’s Mobilization Team, performing bilingual community Know Your Rights workshops and organizing college field trips for Public Counsel’s teenage clients
★ Designed and Developed new hire, volunteer, and pro bono training manuals, including the 3rd Edition U Visa Training Manual for Immigration Advocates and the Volunteer Interpretation & Translation Guide
Manatt, Phelps, and Phillips, LLP
Legal Intake/Conflicts Clerk, July 2015 – August 2016
Manatt is a leading global law firm that offers a wide range of consulting services to public and private corporations. As Conflicts Analyst & Legal Intake Clerk I was responsible for directly assisting the general counsel and risk management staff with legal administration by preparing conflict check reports, waivers/disclosures, and drafting client-intake engagement contracts for Manatt’s partners and associates.
★ Teamed with General Counsel, Monte M. Lemann, II, to finalize adoptions for four children at LA Superior Court’s Fall and Spring Adoption Days, while advocating for regional center services
★ Enhanced Manatt’s Outlook helpdesk to provide on-demand conflicts checks and email support for partners in all major practice areas
★ Generated over 350 extensive conflicts check and credit reports for directing partners dealing with small, mid, and large cap corporate clients
Los Angeles Superior Court – Self Help Resource Center
JusticeCorps Legal Assistant, July 2012 – June 2014
JusticeCorps is an AmeriCorps program focused on providing pro se assistance to litigants in the Los Angeles Superior Court. — I performed 7.5 hours of service per week in providing intake, referrals, and legal information to 10+ self-represented litigants. This required me to work closely with paralegals, attorneys, and triage staff in conducting bilingual Spanish court workshops.
Ayuda
Summer Law Clerk, June 2013 – August 2013
Ayuda is a non-profit immigration center in the DC metro area that offers direct legal, social, and language services to low-income immigrants of all nationalities. — I prepared 30+ Temporary Protected Status renewal applications for Salvadoran nationals along with managing a caseload of 10+ clients who were crime victims or undocumented youth seeking immigration relief through DACA, VAWA, and U-Visas.
Community Development
LIFT Communities
Advocate, January 2015 – March 2015
LIFT is a national nonprofit organization that focuses on helping low-income community members achieve economic stability and well being in our country’s fight against poverty. — I managed my own client caseload and worked side-by-side with members, helping them address any immediate/long-term needs such as employment, housing, health care, or public benefits.
Mayor Garcetti’s Office of Economic Development
Veteran Affairs Intern, September 2014 – December 2014
Mayor Garcetti’s Veteran Affairs program focuses on restoring hope for military families fighting against financial debt, mental health issues, unemployment, and homelessness. — I was responsible for conceptualizing private and community-based partnerships for the 10,000 Strong Mayoral Veteran’s Hiring initiative. I also facilitated and recorded the citywide monthly Military Veterans Advisory Council at City Hall.
Community Coalition
Civic Engagement Intern, October 2014 – November 2014
The Civic Engagement Project at Community Coalition focuses on outreaching to local South LA residents and community leaders to expand access to education, housing, healthcare, and employment. — As an intern, I outreached to approximately 2,460 residents and organized for Yes on Proposition 47 on California’s November 4th, 2014 ballot. I also collaborated with community presentations to recruit volunteers and teach students with a focus on the issues of massive incarceration and access to mental health services in South LA.
Education & Student Leadership
University of California, Los Angeles
B.A. in Political Science, earned July 2015
UCLA allowed me to embrace my purpose and feel fearless. My four years of professors and mentors pushed me to think and write, both critically and creatively. Taking courses such as Latino Immigration (Political Science), Policing in London (Study Abroad Paris & London), and Women in Latin America (Latin American Studies) made me realize the need to document and develop a critical awareness of the issues related to differing diversities. Planning major campus-wide events for MEChA, the Community Programs Office, and the Burkle Center sparked my obsession with design, attention to detail, and passion for service. I gained long-lasting friendships and strengthened my tolerance to adversity.
Burkle Center for International Relations
Leadership Intern, September 2013 – June 2014
The Burkle Center fosters research and promotes discussion of international relations, globalization, and US foreign policy at UCLA. — I coordinated approximately 15 lectures throughout the year and encouraged students and faculty to engage with guests such as US Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power, author Reza Azlan, and Anne Marie Slaughter.
Student Retention Center – Calpulli Mentorship Program
Mentorship Coordinator & Academic Peer Counselor, September 2012 – June 2013
UCLA Calmecac’s Latina/o Retention Project part of the Community Programs Office is a student-run and student-initiated retention project that advocates for the first generation, transfer, and non-traditional Latina/o students (foster youth, undocumented students, student parents etc.) at UCLA. — I advised 210 students on academic policy, while leading a mentorship program cohort with 120 mentor and mentee students.
Vice Chancellor’s Office of Student Affairs
Yield Admit Weekend Program Co-Chair, November 2011 – May 2012
UCLA’s Annual Raza Day Yield Admit program is an annual event for Latina/o admitted freshman and often first-generation students to come learn about the many resource available at UCLA and the importance of a higher education. — I prescribed a grant proposal and secured $10,458 of funding for 250 participants. This involved working with campus and community stakeholders and developing an event agenda with bilingual parent workshops, honorarium speakers, and AB-540 student activities.
Community Programs Office
Office Leadership Intern, September 2011 – June 2012
UCLA’s Community Programs Office (CPO) is a nationally recognized student-led and student-initiated department at UCLA that focuses on access to higher education, retention, and community service. — I managed daily office operations and participated in weekly meetings with discussions on race, education, and community issues while outreaching for “Proyecto de Jornaleros” (Day Laborer Project) in Santa Monica, CA.