Managing Attorney, School-Based Help Desk

Job Description

Job Description

About NIJC

The National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) advances human rights and due process for immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers through direct legal services, impact litigation, advocacy and public education. Headquartered in Chicago with offices in Washington, DC, Indiana and San Diego, NIJC's team of 100 attorneys, paralegals and professionals, along with 2,000 pro bono attorneys, is at the forefront of immigration reform.

Summary:  

For two years, NIJC has led a pilot project providing legal services in one Chicago Public High School, providing immigration legal orientation and direct representation to students and families. NIJC is expanding this onsite school helpdesk model to screen, offer legal assistance and consultations, educate individuals about their rights, and identify and accept representation of students and their families in three additional high schools.

We are seeking a Managing Attorney who will report to the Associate Director for Children's Protection and be a member of the Children's Project supervisory team. This role will supervise a team of Senior Attorneys, and a Coordinator in developing "School-Based Helpdesks" in four Chicago Public Schools located in Rogers Park, Humboldt Park, Archer Heights, and Lincoln Park. They will also build and manage relationships with project stakeholders, including school staff, students and families, community-based organizations, and government agencies. They will oversee all substantive legal work, ensuring high-quality legal services to students and their families, and contribute to the work of the Litigation and Policy teams through the identification of issues and reform strategies. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Works with the NIJC team, school staff, and students, to develop and support the School-Based Helpdesk project.
• Establishes and documents metrics for each participating school and for the project overall to support development of a replicable model.
• Ensures compliance with state funding requirements; assists in drafting proposals and reports to funders, as well as monthly reports.
• Collaborates with the Associate Director and supervisory team to ensure project is advancing impact given the external and internal realities
• Collaborates with the supervisory team to support staff development on immigration issues and promote best practices in legal services delivery.
• Provides direct supervision and support to supervisors, staff, interns, and volunteers as assigned
• Evaluates supervisees' progress toward established objectives by comparing expected and actual outcomes and provides quarterly reports.
• Collaborates with NIJC staff in identifying issues that may be appropriate for advocacy and federal litigation. Gathers data on trends and emerging immigration legal challenges. Responds to challenges and provides recommendations to inform strategic decisions and team modifications.
• Performs case audits to evaluate cases considering current law and ensures 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 applications for immigration relief.
• Serves as NIJC representative on immigration legal services and provides training and outreach with community-based organizations, colleague agencies, elected officials, and national networks working on immigration.
• Liaises with the Associate Director of Government Relations regarding developments in immigration law and policy affecting schools and the communities served.
• Develops and assists in the implementation of training for staff, pro bono attorneys and volunteers, community organizations, and immigration officers on issues relating to projects.
• 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.
• In coordination with the Associate Director, ensures compliance with funder reporting requirements.
• Identifies and initiates potential coalitions and partnerships.
• Provides case coverage, as needed, for Spanish-speaking clients during supervisee absences or other staffing gaps.
• Conducts community presentations in English and Spanish.
• Remains abreast of announcements shared through social media, local news, and school communication platforms.
• Manages other essential duties as assigned.

Skills & Competencies:

• Demonstrates strong leadership qualities including an ability to build and maintain productive relationships with colleagues internally and outside of the organization.
• Sound judgment in analyzing the impact of laws and policies on vulnerable populations and advancing improved laws, policies, and practices.
• Strong legal research, writing, and argumentation skills.
• Proven ability to supervise, mentor, and support staff while fostering accountability and professional growth.
• Self-motivated with the ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently, and collaborate effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Reacts to change productively.

Qualifications:

• Education and/or Experience : Juris Doctorate; law license; minimum of five years of experience in immigration law and/or refugee law; and a minimum of three years of supervisory experience. Must have knowledge of immigration law, policies, and practices and their intersection with children and young people. Experience in immigration court and preferably in state and federal court is required. Experience working with schools, and/or with young people in the city of Chicago is preferred. Must be able to obtain and maintain required school volunteer status.
• Language : Spanish fluency is required; speakers of additional languages are encouraged to apply. Demonstrated competency in public speaking and strong interpersonal skills are required.
• Technology Knowledge : Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications. Familiarity with legal software applications and Canva.

How to Apply

Please Include:

1. Your resume
2. A brief cover letter that highlights your interest in this role, why the work resonates with you, and any experience that connects to NIJC's mission and the responsibilities of the position.

Physical Abilities Statement

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

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time.
• The person in this position occasionally needs to move about the inside of the office to access filing cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a copy machine.
• Work is performed in office and school-based settings and requires regular travel to school sites on a monthly and as-needed basis.

It is the policy of NIJC not to discriminate against any applicant for employment, or any employee because of age, color, sex, disability, national origin, race, religion, or veteran status. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire