Managing Attorney, Immigrant Legal Defense Project

The National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) provides direct legal services to and advocates for immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers through policy reform, impact litigation, and public education. Since its founding more than three decades ago, NIJC has been unique in blending individual client advocacy with broad-based systemic change. NIJC is headquartered in Chicago, with offices in Indiana and Washington, D.C.

Summary:

The Managing Attorney reports to the Associate Director of Legal Services and is a member of the Immigrant Legal Defense (ILD) Supervisory Team. Primary responsibilities of this position include overseeing, managing, and providing legal services through the Immigration Court Helpdesk (ICH) at the Chicago Immigration Court. The Managing Attorney responds to the individual legal needs and systemic issues impacting populations served by the ICH and oversees the creation of ICH materials. The Managing Attorney also contributes to the work of the litigation and policy teams through the identification of issues and reform strategies while supervising a legal team and ensures the delivery of quality legal services for immigrants, asylees/asylum seekers, and refugees. This attorney works with the team to ensure impact and responsiveness within the ILD project and will also carry a small caseload. Individual accountabilities and work volume will be established through the development of annual Success Objectives, within the framework outlined below.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Works with the Associate Director and ILD supervisory team to ensure direction of project is advancing impact given the external and internal realities
• Manages at least one project within the NIJC program and ensures compliance with deliverables
• With the ILD supervisory team, ensures staff development on immigration issues and the implementation of best practices in the delivery of legal services.
• Provides direct supervision and support to supervisors, staff, interns and volunteers as assigned
• Conducts performance reviews and works with supervisees to develop measurable success objectives
• Evaluates supervisees objectives with actuals quarterly and provides quarterly reports
• Oversees community outreach and the creation of new outreach materials
• Works with NIJC staff in identifying issues that may be appropriate for advocacy and federal litigation.
• Gathers data; identifies trends and emerging issues and responses to issues. Provide recommendations to inform strategic decisions and team modifications.
• Performs case audits to evaluate cases in light of current law and ensure accurate data entry, as required by program needs and funding requirements.
• Ensures timely response to all inquiries, including requests for referrals, community outreach, and materials relating to the projects.
• Provides limited direct representation to individuals in removal proceedings and in administration application for immigration relief.
• Serves as NIJC representative on immigration legal services and provides trainings and outreach with community based organizations, colleague agencies, elected officials, and national networks working on immigration.
• Develops and assists in the implementation of trainings for staff, pro bono attorneys and volunteers, community organizations, and immigration officers on issues relating to project.
• Assists in the recruitment, training, and support of pro bono attorneys.
• Participates in trainings and conferences on management, as well as on substantive areas of the law.
• Assists in drafting proposals and reports to funders, as well as monthly reports.
• In coordination with the Associate Director, ensures compliance with funder reporting requirements.
• Strong leadership qualities including an ability to build and maintain productive relationships with colleagues internally and outside of the organization.
• Identifies and initiates potential coalitions and partnerships.
• Advances an anti-racist organization that promotes diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Reacts to change productively and handles other essentials duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Education and/or Experience: JD; law license; minimum of five years of experience in immigration law and/or refugee law; and minimum of one year of supervisory experience. Must have knowledge of immigration law, policies and practice and their intersection with criminal law; must have experience in immigration court and preferably state and federal court.
• Language Skills: Ability to read, speak and write in at least one non-English language. Spanish language fluency is required, and speakers of additional languages are encouraged to apply. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Demonstrated competency in public speaking and strong interpersonal skills required.
• Technology Knowledge/Skills: Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Other Skills: Experience in analyzing the impact of laws on vulnerable populations and advocating for improved laws and policies. Excellent legal research, writing, and argumentation skills. Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, work independently, and collaborate effectively in a fast-paced environment.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.
• The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; feel and reach with hands and arms.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 5 pounds.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The noise in the work environment is moderate.

NIJC makes all hiring and employment decisions, and operates all programs, services, and functions without regard to race, receipt of an order of protection, creed, color, age, gender, gender identity, marital or parental status, religion, ancestry, national origin, amnesty, physical or mental disability, protected veterans status, genetic information, sexual orientation, immigrant status, political affiliation or belief, use of FMLA, VESSA, military, and family military rights, ex-offender status (depending on the offense and position to be filled), unfavorable military discharge, membership in an organization whose primary purpose is the protection of civil rights or improvement of living conditions and human relations, height, weight, or HIV infection, in accord with the organization's AIDS Policy Statement of September 1987.