Director of Advocacy and Legal Programs, Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center Position: The Director of Legal Services will work closely with the Executive Director and legal program team leaders to articulate and execute a vision for all legal programs.
The Director of Legal Services will supervise all legal teams in an effort to best serve the mission of Las Americas.
The director's time will be distributed as follows: legal program development and evaluation (30%); management and supervision (30%); advocacy and media relations (30%), and case work (10%).
Responsibilities: - Chart the short term and long term strategic direction for all legal programs and advocacy efforts in close collaboration with the Executive Director, grant writer and program team supervisors - Develop a thoughtful talent pipeline for all legal service roles with plans for expansion of legal programming - Identify growth opportunities and and organization needs to seek funding opportunities by working closely with the office grant writer - Develop strong external partnerships for the benefit of those Las Americas serves and the team as a whole - Authorize all advocacy endeavors including but not limited to rapid response, sign on letters, statements, strategic interviews, advocacy meetings and public actions.
- Position Las Americas as a trusted community resource by overseeing outreach and engagement activities designed to meet people where they are - Engage with the public, media, and donors regarding immigration policies and local border issues pertaining to immigration and the legal program at Las Americas.
- Quality control of the legal output through regular qualitative audits of each team - Assist supervisors and lead attorneys in assigning cases to staff attorneys, accredited representatives and paralegals, based on area of expertise and current caseload - Effectively manage legal interns, volunteers (including pro-bono attorneys) based on team needs - Expand Legal Services capabilities through collaboration with private bar and other non-profit legal service providers - Ensure that all legal team members maintain the highest level of legal expertise and knowledge of current immigration legal issues through a robust continuing education program - Maintain current legal resources for staff use - Collaborate with staff attorneys and accredited representatives to identify viable cases and provide the best legal advice to prospective clients and pending intakes to make timely decisions of what cases can be accepted for representation - Assist supervisor and lead attorneys in co-chairing difficult cases - Implement and oversee use of efficiency and case management systems - Development of attorneys and legal staff - Ensure legal systems are meeting current demand and grant requirements with healthy and attainable deliverables - Safekeeping and proper disposition of records - Client relations in problematic cases and/or client complaints - Ensure competency of legal staff and oversight of accredited representative program Qualifications: - Juris Doctorate degree with membership in good standing in the bar of any state and/or the District of Columbia - Minimum of 3-5 years' experience in immigration law (5 years preferred) - Minimum of two years' experience supervising legal staff (may include supervision of paralegals) - Knowledge of affirmative and removal defense work before the Immigration Court and Board of Immigration Appeals - Well-organized, self-motivated, able to work well under pressure, and able to work collaboratively and as part of a team - Excellent written, analytical, oral, organizational, and time management skills - Must always maintain professional demeanor and excellent work ethics - Proficiency with computers, common office equipment, and MS Office - Strong public speaking ability - Bilingual - English/Spanish preferred but not required - Organizing background in social justice and or advocacy - Experience working with people from diverse backgrounds, including low-income populations, people who are marginally housed, immigrants, LGBTQ individuals, people of color and/or persons with disabilities - Experience working with marginalized populations and survivors of trauma - Dedication to serving immigrant communities with a sincere commitment to working on behalf of low-income immigrants How to Apply: Send resume, cover letter, and (3) references at ******.
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