Habeas Panel Manager

PURPOSE

The Habeas Panel Manager (HPM) develops and manages a pro bono attorney panel that provides representation to individuals pursuing immigration habeas corpus relief in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The HPM is an employee of the Justice & Diversity Center of the Bar Association of San Francisco (JDC) and works in close collaboration with Bay Area Habeas Network (BAHN) partner organizations, the HPM recruits, trains, supports, and coordinates volunteer attorneys, oversees referral and case placement systems, and strengthens partnerships that expand access to justice for immigrants facing detention. The HPM exercises independent legal and professional judgment while ensuring the efficient operation of JDC’s Habeas Project.

Program Administration:

• Develop and manage JDC’s Habeas Pro Bono Panel
• Establish and maintain policies, procedures, and workflows for attorney recruitment and case placement. 

Attorney Recruitment and Volunteer Engagement:

• Recruit, screen, onboard, train, and retain qualified volunteer attorneys. 
• Cultivate relationships with law firms, bar associations, and individual practitioners. 
• Provide technical assistance and mentorship to volunteer attorneys throughout their representation. 

Case Placement and Coordination:

• Coordinate referrals received from BAHN partners. 
• Match eligible matters with qualified pro bono counsel. 
• Facilitate substitutions of counsel and transitions between BAHN attorneys and volunteer counsel. 
• Coordinate emergency placements for TROs and other expedited matters. 

Litigation Support:

• Monitor litigation deadlines affecting referred matters. 
• Coordinate efforts to preserve clients' access to counsel through appropriate procedural measures. 
• Work collaboratively with BAHN attorneys regarding litigation strategy and case transitions.

Collaboration and Partnership:

• Serve as JDC’s primary liaison to BAHN partners. 
• Participate in BAHN meetings and collaborative planning. 
• Support development of BAHN protocols and best practices.

Reporting and Compliance:

• Maintain program data. 
• Prepare reports required by grants and contracts. 
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies and grant requirements. 

Additional Job Functions:

• Assist with program evaluation, and fundraising activities as requested.
• Participate in community outreach, presentations, and educational programs regarding immigration habeas representation and pro bono opportunities.
• Develop resource materials, practice guides, and training materials for volunteer attorneys.
• Participate in organizational committees and workgroups as assigned.
• Perform other related duties consistent with the responsibilities of the position.

Skills:

• Microsoft Office Suite
• Case management software
• Electronic court filing systems

Working Conditions:

• Primarily office and hybrid work environment.
• Regular participation in virtual and in-person meetings.
• Occasional local travel within the San Francisco Bay Area.
• Occasional evening or weekend work may be required to respond to emergency filings or urgent case developments.

Education:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Active California Bar license in good standing.

Experience:

• Minimum of three to five years of progressively responsible legal experience, preferably in immigration law, federal litigation, habeas corpus litigation, civil rights litigation, or public interest law.
• Experience recruiting, mentoring, supervising, or supporting volunteer attorneys or legal professionals preferred.
• Experience administering legal programs, pro bono initiatives, or collaborative projects preferred.
• Experience working with nonprofit legal services organizations, community-based organizations, or public interest partnerships prefer

Requirements:

• Bilingual Spanish/English strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated commitment to public interest law, immigrant rights, or access to justice. 
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple assignments and meet competing deadlines.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with attorneys, courts, partner organizations, and community stakeholders.

Qualifications:

• Thorough knowledge of federal court procedures and practice before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
• Knowledge of immigration enforcement, immigration detention, and federal habeas corpus practice.
• Familiarity with emergency litigation, including Temporary Restraining Orders and expedited court procedures.
• Excellent legal research, writing, analytical, and oral advocacy skills.
• Strong public speaking and training skills.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds while demonstrating cultural humility and professionalism.

To Apply

Please submit your resume and cover letter.

Equal Opportunity Employer

JDC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We conduct all employment-related activities without regard to race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation or any other classification protected by applicable Local, State or Federal employment discrimination laws.