Deputy Legal Director

Job Description

Job Description

WE ARE CASA & CASA IN ACTION SYNOPSIS:
We Are CASA’s mission is to create a more just society by building power and improving the quality of life in working class Black, Latino/a/e, Afro-descendant, Indigenous, and Immigrant communities. Rooted in the collective power of our community, our inclusive, permanent, member-led movement radically transforms communities and systems to ensure the needs, dreams, and aspirations of members are fully met as we strive for justice and full liberation at home and in solidarity with others across the world. We Are CASA has a sister organization, CASA in Action, a separate, but related, nonprofit organization that is exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. Although We Are CASA and CASA in Action share a common goal of supporting immigrants and low-income people in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, they are separate organizations with their own board of directors. A set of employees at the two organizations, including the person filling this position, shares their time between the two organizations. This has no effect on salary or benefits.

DEPARTMENT SYNOPSIS:
The immigrant community is under attack, and We Are CASA’s legal department is on the front line fighting back. The legal department at We Are CASA operates under the principles of Justice is the goal, law is a means. It is a marathon, not a sprint. We endeavor to find the most creative strategies to combat the abuses and injustices identified by our constituents. We value justice in the largest sense possible, not only one person at a time legal solutions, but broad, transformative solutions created in combination with community leaders, We Are CASA staff, other local and national organizations, and other key partners in our work. We value our time and believe that though hard and sustained effort is often required, real rest is also necessary for creativity, stamina and “a life,” however defined. Our legal department currently operates on a hybrid work model, with three days “on site”.

POSITION SUMMARY:
We Are CASA’s Deputy Legal Director will become part of the national powerhouse organization that is protecting and defending our immigrant community against xenophobic, white supremacist policies and practices. In partnership with the Legal Director, the Deputy Legal Director will play a leading role in We Are CASA’s local, regional and national efforts to support and defend We Are CASA’s community base through litigation, advocacy, and direct legal services. The Deputy Legal Director will be a talented, dynamic, and creative leader on We Are CASA’s management team, supervising members of the legal team, including managing and supervising attorneys, senior attorneys, staff attorneys, paralegals, and legal assistants; and representing the legal team in interdepartmental spaces, such as supporting advocacy efforts led by We Are CASA’s Organizing and Advocacy Departments. The ideal candidate will have significant litigation, direct legal services, and management experience, preferably in a non-profit setting working with immigrant, Black, Brown, Afro-Descendant, and/or Indigenous communities.

This position is eligible to work from CASA's Multicultural Center in Hyattsville MD, CASA's Baltimore Welcome Center in Baltimore, MD, or CASA's Rockville Welcome Center in Rockville, MD.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Oversee and mentor the work of supervising attorneys, staff attorneys, pro bono attorneys, paralegals and legal assistants working in direct services, litigation, and movement-oriented campaigns in the areas of immigration, employment, housing and civil rights
• Strategize on, develop, and implement goals, structures, and parameters for We Are CASA’s impact litigation efforts
• Lead cases independently, or co-counsel with supervising attorneys, staff attorneys and external attorney partners as necessary
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with external partners, including pro bono attorneys and litigation partners
• In conjunction with We Are CASA’s Community Organizing and Advocacy departments, oversee the development and implementation of social justice campaigns including policy analysis
• In coordination with the Legal Director, provide oversight and management of significant aspects of the legal department
• Serve as a member of the Legal Managers Team, participating in decision-making for the department and on behalf of the Legal Director
• Represent We Are CASA in local, regional, and national spaces, such as in coalitions, on the media, and at public events 
• Participate actively in departmental and organizational planning processes, including developing and executing individual workplans and professional development plans for all staff, evaluating and providing timely feedback on plans as the year progresses
• Conduct program and personnel evaluations for the Legal Department as required
• In collaboration with Legal Director, supervising attorneys, and the Development and Finance Departments, prepare reports to funders and other stakeholders
• Assist with fundraising to grow and maintain the Legal Department and We Are CASA organizationally
• Support the development and expansion of We Are CASA’s membership base
• Facilitate the connection of new We Are CASA members with the Community Organizing Department and other We Are CASA services
• Monitor the proper collection of data among team members and regularly analyze metrics and progress towards key result measures. Utilize data to inform program enhancements to better meet evolving community needs and improve program performance.
• Other duties as assigned by the Legal Director

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION/LICENSURE:

• Juris Doctorate (J.D.) with a minimum of 5 years legal experience (litigation experience preferred)
• Admitted to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction (Maryland strongly preferred; D.C., Virginia, Pennsylvania, or Georgia preferred)
• Valid U.S. Driver’s License and a reliable vehicle

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Bilingual/multilingual, with English being one of the languages; Spanish preferred; French is a plus.
• 5+ years of relevant legal experience. This can include work with a law school clinic, internships or other related activities.
• Strong commitment to being informed and guided by Racial Justice, Equity & Inclusion (RJEI) principles in all aspects of work and leadership
• Creative, movement lawyer, committed to social change and community organizing, including implementing member-led decisions and priorities, and delivering legal services in a way that builds power
• Deep commitment to civil rights, particularly workers’, tenants’ and immigrants’ rights, including experience working with the immigrant community
• Well-organized with ability to work independently under minimal supervision, managing multiple projects
• Experiencing supervising staff
• Experience maintaining legal case management systems and advanced proficiency in basic computer programs (Microsoft Office suite, etc.); knowledge of Salesforce is a plus
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including in legal advocacy and public communication
• Strong interpersonal communication, conflict resolution, and negotiation skills
• Ability to travel, as required, for trainings, litigation, speaking engagements and other needs

COMPENSATION:
$94,500 - $105,000 if working from Hyattsville
$94,500 - $105,000 if working from Rockville
$94,500 - $105,000 if working from Baltimore

BENEFITS DESCRIPTION:
Who is eligible?

• All full time and part time permanent positions working 20 hours or more per week.

What We Offer:

• Generous paid time off , including: annual leave starting at three weeks per year (proportional accrual per pay period), two weeks of sick leave, three days of personal leave, and additional compensatory leave for exempt employees.
• Sixteen (16) paid holidays per calendar year.
• Excellent Benefits Package including employer paid benefits as follow:
  • Health, dental, and vision insurance (We Are CASA pays 100% of the premium costs for the employee up to our HMO plan, 55% for couples, 65% for children and 60% for family)
  • Basic life and AD&D
  • Long and Short Term Disability insurance
  • Professional Development: Those pursuing a course of study related to work performed at We Are CASA may be eligible for a reimbursement up to $3,000.
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Additional voluntary benefits:
  • FSA Account including Dependent Care.
  • 401(k) retirement plan with a 2% employer discretionary match.
  • Supplemental Health insurance
• Allowances:
  • Mileage reimbursements for those positions that are required to drive on We Are We Are CASA business.
  • Cell Phone stipend for those positions that are required to use their cellphone for We Are CASA business

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; lift, carry, reach push or pull objects; climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl; handling, feeling or grasping.

The employee is occasionally required to stand or walk. The employee must rarely lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
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. When it comes to physical strength the employee will rarely perform heavy or medium work.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is rarely exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

ADA: We Are CASA will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

OSHA: This role is not to handle any human body fluids, biological agents, laboratory chemicals, or be exposed to hazardous materials such as noise, asbestos, or carcinogens.

We Are CASA and CASA in Action do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, mental or physical disability, ancestry, marital status or national origin.

This job description will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity. Essential and marginal job functions are subject to modification. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

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