Legal Supervisor-Immigrant Legal Defense Project-Pro Bono

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 over 100 attorneys, paralegals, and professionals, along with 2,000 pro bono attorneys, is at the forefront of immigration reform.

Job Summary: This role is available as a hybrid or fully remote position.

The Legal Supervisor supervises pro bono case representation within NIJC's Immigrant Legal Defense Project. The person in this role provides training, technical support, and legal review to pro bono attorneys for new and pending cases, including U visa/VAWA, asylee/refugee adjustment and family petitions, DACA, and other immigration cases. The person ensures quality legal counsel and representation, and case management for ongoing cases. The Legal Supervisor also provide legal representation and counseling to non-detained immigrants appearing before the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of State (DOS), and if appropriate, before the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) and the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). This person may also supervise an in-house legal team, ensure quality legal counsel and representation, provide case support, and oversee the day-to-day operations, as well as the ongoing training and professional development of team members. As a member of NIJC's supervisory team, the supervisor will collaborate with NIJC's other legal services projects, litigation, policy and communications teams. Individual accountability and work volume will be established through the development of annual Success Objectives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Supervises pro bono legal services; including the development of case strategy, preparation, and representation before governmental agencies.
• Provide training, technical support, and legal review to volunteer attorneys for cases in NIJC's Immigrant Legal Defense Project
• Oversees paralegals, attorneys, interns and support staff providing legal services
• Ensure accurate data entry by paralegals, attorneys, and interns.
• Oversees and reviews legal intakes; makes legal assessments and determinations regarding representation.
• Ensure timely case preparation, including case opening process, preparing filings, trial preparation, appeals, case closures, and other case management practices.
• Works with a supervisory team to build a strong team and oversee the team's projects.
• Provides recommendations based on case trends to inform project-based strategic decisions.
• Maintains and develops strategic partnerships with key stakeholders.
• Conducts factual and legal research.
• Provides legal representation to immigrants in immigration proceedings, including before an immigration officer, an immigration judge, and before the Board of Immigration Appeals as appropriate.
• Drafts correspondence and documents, including applications, briefs, and reports.
• Improves delivery of legal services, including the use of technology to improve efficiency. Trains lawyers and non-lawyers in immigration law.
• Conducts legal presentations regarding law and case(s) to NIJC staff and members of the immigrant community. Maintains accurate, thorough, and timely records.
• Identifies trends and emerging issues and responses to issues.
• Maintains current knowledge regarding immigration laws, policies, and procedures.
• Advances an anti-racist organization that promotes diversity, equity and inclusion
• Reacts to change productively and handle other essentials duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Education and/or Experience: A law degree (JD), license to practice law and at least 3 years' experience in the legal field, preferably in the field of immigration law; or a bachelor's degree with at least 3 years' experience as a Department of Justice accredited representative. Previous supervisory experience preferred but not required.
• Language Skills: Fluency in English and Spanish is required. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Demonstrated competency in public speaking and strong interpersonal skills required. Additional non-English language skills are preferred.
• Computer Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Driving : May be required to have a current, valid IL Driver's License. May be required to drive their own vehicle and/or an organization vehicle to and from sites.
• Reasoning Ability: 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.

How to Apply

Please Include:

1. Your resume
2. A compelling cover letter that includes:
   
   1. Why you are interested in this specific role and in working for NIJC
   2. How your unique skills and experience will enable you to make a significant impact on our team and help us achieve our mission.
   3. A specific, brief example of a project or accomplishment from your past that best demonstrates your relevant qualifications.

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 accommodations 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 operating a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a copy machine.

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.