Directing Attorney

The Immigrant Defenders Law Center (“ImmDef”) is a next-generation, social justice law firm that provides high-quality representation and legal services to immigrants in Southern California. Our staff is comprised of advocates and activists from the immigrant rights community who collectively have decades of experience fighting for the rights of immigrants in Southern California and beyond. Our organization was founded with the belief that no immigrant should be forced to go into court alone, and we see our universal representation programs as a first step towards that goal. Learn more about us at www.immdef.org.

ImmDef seeks a full-time Directing Attorney to focus on our legal representation programs for adults, children and families. As a member of ImmDef’s leadership team, the Directing Attorney will have the opportunity to help develop and advance our mission-driven organization.

Responsibilities of this position include but are not limited to:

• Work collaboratively with ImmDef Directors, Directing Attorneys and Managers across all ImmDef programs;
• Provide direct supervision to Managing Attorneys and other legal and program staff;
• Mentor, supervise and provide support for a team of attorneys representing detained and recently released children and adults in their immigration removal proceedings and applications for immigration benefits;
• Work collaboratively with staff to develop case strategies and litigation tactics;
• Keep abreast of changes in case, statutory, or regulatory law and changes in detention practices;
• Support attorney and legal staff professional development by coordinating the provision of ongoing legal trainings, and ensuring that changes in law, policy, and practice are reflected in ImmDef’s training and professional development resources;
• Foster and support a client-centered and mission-driven office culture;
• Build a team-centered client service model, and monitor issues related to services to manage on-going engagement and client expectations
• Work to develop and implement policies and procedures that increase effectiveness and efficiency within our representation work;
• Ensure compliance with ImmDef’s record-keeping, grant and funding, professional and ethical, and case management obligations;
• Help further develop and maintain uniform internal policies and procedures for representation of ImmDef’s clients;
• Oversee projects, assist with contract reporting requirements, and maintain relationships with funders to increase the sustainability and growth of the legal services program;
• Participate in and supervise the program’s engagement in coalitions advocating for immigrants' rights, and management of stakeholder relationships;
• Provide fearless and zealous representation to clients on their own reduced caseload of deportation defense cases;
• Support recruitment efforts for staff openings within assigned program areas.
• Other duties as assigned by ImmDef’s Legal Services Directors and Executive Director.

Preferred Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate degree;
• Spanish language proficiency required (will be tested at time of interview);
• Active California State Bar License or ability to waive into the CA bar;
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in the practice of law, with at least 2 years of management experience, and minimum 2 years of immigration removal defense specific experience;
• Experience representing adults in ICE detention or children in ORR custody is a plus;
• Experience representing children and families in guardianship, parentage, child custody, or dependency proceedings in California is a plus;
• Experience in criminal defense, specifically obtaining post-conviction relief is a plus;
• Experience representing unaccompanied minors and/or adults in applications before USCIS, including applications for special immigrant juvenile status and asylum, is a plus;
• Experience representing people in humanitarian parole application is a plus;
• Experience managing, teaching and mentoring staff is required;
• Strong case management, legal research, and legal writing skills required;
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to zealously pursue new and untested legal theories;
• Ability to work collaboratively and to handle multiple demands in a sometimes hectic and busy environment;
• Passion for social justice for immigrants required.
• DACA Recipients encouraged to apply!

Classification and Work Schedule

This is a full-time, exempt position. Work schedule will be Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with flexibility required based on the needs of the organization.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

This job operates in a professional office environment. This is largely a sedentary role; however, some filing is required. This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bend or stand as necessary.

Travel

Travel to Southern California area immigration courts, state courts, ORR shelters for unaccompanied children, and ICE detention centers will be required. Travel to migrant shelters along the U.S.-Mexico border may be required.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice

Benefits

Alternative Workweek, Hybrid, and Flexible Scheduling Opportunities available!

This position is eligible for Alternative Workweek Scheduling allowing for one week off weekly or biweekly, hybrid scheduling allowing for 2 days working remotely, and flexible start and end times.

Holidays and Paid Time Off:

• 13 paid holidays
• 1-Week paid winter break between Christmas and New Years
• 15 vacation days per year
• 15 Sick Days per year

Health, Dental and Vision Insurance

• ImmDef provides health coverage on the first of the month following 30 days on the job. We cover 100% of premiums for our base dental and vision plans for our staff members and 75% of base plan dental and vision premiums for their dependents. ImmDef also covers 98% of the base plan medical premiums for our staff and 73% of the base plan medical premiums for their dependents.

FSA and Dependent Care FSA

• ImmDef offers FSA plans to help offset the costs of eligible health care expenses for you, your spouse, and your eligible dependents using pre-tax dollars
• We also offer Dependent Care FSA to pay for eligible dependent care services, such as preschool, summer day camp, before or after school programs, and child or adult daycare.

401(k) Retirement Savings Plan

• ImmDef staff are eligible to enroll in our 401(k) plans immediately upon hire, contributing pre-tax dollars towards their retirement goals
• After six months on staff, ImmDef will match 100% of contributions up to 3%. Funds are vested immediately!

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

• As a 501(c)3, qualified ImmDef staff are eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls please.

• We require staff to be Covid Vaccinated or submit weekly testing.

ImmDef believes in second chances. As an organization, we will rely on individualized assessments in the hiring of those with past criminal convictions. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply for a position fighting for our immigrant communities!

Immigrant Defenders Law Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer.