Senior Managing Attorney, Removal Defense

JOB POSTING: Senior Managing Attorney, Removal Defense

The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1986. CHIRLA is a California leader with national impact made of diverse immigrant families and individuals who act as agents of social change to achieve a world with freedom of mobility, full human rights, and true participatory democracy. CHIRLA organizes and serves individuals, institutions, and coalitions to build power, transform public opinions, and change policies to achieve full human, civil and labor rights. Guided by power, love, and vision of our community, CHIRLA embraces and drives progressive social change.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) is seeking a Senior Managing Attorney to work within a multi-person team and provide support to the Legal Services Department. The Removal Defense Unit (RDU) managing attorney is charged with overseeing the day-to-day functioning of the entire RDU team. This duty includes full authority and oversight over all staff within the unit.

The RDU managing attorney will collaborate with and assist the Director and Deputy Director in developing future plans and projects to expand and support the work being done in the service area; ensuring supervision, training, leadership development and other support for staff; overseeing financial and grants management/reporting; engaging in collaborations with other community agencies, organizations and partnerships; fundraising; ensuring that the office is engaged in program-wide work groups and initiatives, including diversity, equity and inclusion; as well as developing plans and projects to expand and support the work. The RDU managing attorney will also participate as a member of the Legal department management team.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Staff Management:

• Supervise, oversee, lead, and manage legal staff, including Supervising Attorneys, Staff Attorneys, Paralegals, DOJ Accredited Representatives, Law Clerks, Legal Fellows, and Legal Assistants within the RDU to ensure all are working at capacity to meet deliverables of all government contracts and other funding sources.
• Responsible for assigning and directing work, including case assignments; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; as well as problem resolution.
• On-site supervision and visits to the branch offices, as needed.
• Conduct regular supervision meetings with RDU staff.
• Conduct review of staff files before documentation is filed with USCIS, EOIR or other courts or agencies.
• Conduct open and closed case file review on a quarterly basis.
• Regularly update the unit’s operations manual, protocols and procedures.
• Mentor attorneys, DOJ Accredited Representatives, Law Clerks, and other legal services staff to create a safe space to learn and grow by being a resource for immigration law related questions and issues.

Staff Recruitment

• Work with the Talent and Recruitment Manager to source candidates using a variety of search methods to build a robust candidate pipeline.
• Screen candidates by reviewing resumes and job applications.
• Participate in candidate interviews along with selection and closing process.
• Manage onboarding and new hire process.

Budget Management/Fund Sourcing:

• Responsible for writing quarterly and year-end reports for all funding sources in coordination with other departments, including but not limited to Data, Development and Finance.
• Responsible for billing, reporting, and documentation, including requirements for maintaining client files and records.
• Responsible for periodic reporting and as necessary prepare or participate in grants report preparation and coordination with Data, Development, and Finance department as needed or assigned by department director.

Immigration Legal Assistance:

• Supervise and review the work product of attorneys, law clerks, DOJ accredited representative(s) and those seeking accreditation (both staff and volunteers), administrative staff, and legal interns in the unit or office and at any community clinics.
• Conduct client consultations to determine if potential clients are eligible for federal immigration benefits.
• Complete appropriate immigration applications for clients.
• Represent clients before the Department of Homeland Security, Executive Office for Immigration Review Immigration Court, or other venues as needed.
• Stay up to date with changes in immigration law and other immigration-related developments to ensure staff members understand these changes.
• Handle complex cases involving issues such as criminal history, immigration law violations, family law issues, current or previous removal proceedings, appeals, etc.
• Research and analyze complex legal matters pertaining to own caseload and that of staff under position’s supervision, assuming responsibility and risk for outcomes of program’s client cases.
• Assume and delegate caseload of any departing staff member as needed.
• Maintain all case records and documentation mandated by CHIRLA and RDU policies and procedures.
• Make appropriate referrals as necessary for immigration legal services beyond the scope of the program or one’s own competencies, and for other social service needs.

Community Outreach:

• Actively participate or present relevant immigration information to the immigrant and nonimmigrant communities periodically as needed.
• Conduct presentations on immigration law and policy for community members and other stakeholders.
• Create and maintain partnerships with community organizations for capacity building and funding opportunities.
• Develop and maintain relationships with CBOs, law schools, foundations, government and other organizations.
• Ensure the quality of services by taking part in national-level training, professional engagements, and community-based partnerships and relationships.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Director and Deputy Director of Legal Services.
• Reliable attendance is an on-going essential job function.

Program Efficiency:

• Work with Director and Deputy Director to set case management protocols, which include case audits (ongoing record review and client file quality assurance) to ensure staff compliance with procedures and controls in place for effective data collection and reporting with regards to contracts and cases.
• Oversee program data collection and ensure timely reporting of compliance and contract activities for funding sources.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:
Required

• JD and an active membership in the California State Bar with at least five years post bar admission
• At least five years of experience in immigration law.
• At least five years of experience in assisting non-citizens as an attorney.
• At least five years of experience representing clients before courts, administrative agencies, and other venues.
• Must have experience working with underserved and diverse populations.
• Must have advocacy experience in services for victims of crime.
• Must be able to travel to and visit various CHIRLA offices and/or campuses belonging to partner schools for events, audits, meetings, and services.

Preferred

• Project, team, or organizational management experience a plus.
• Experience working at a non-profit organization or government agency.
• Experience working on cases involving removal defense and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status

Desired Traits or Characteristic

• Ability to maintain positive working relationships with staff, members, and allies.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure with last-minute deadlines.
• Experience collaborating with community organizations in local geographic area.
• Highly self-motivated, creative, takes initiative, ability to learn quickly, flexible, and able to work as part of an interdisciplinary team of legal staff.
• Must be able to work efficiently and manage multiple projects at once, which may be at different stages of design and execution.
• Self-motivated – proven ability to work independently and open to be innovative and creative.
• Dedication and ability to work flexible hours.
• Ability to plan and prioritize work activities, meet deadlines and follow-up on assignments with a minimum direction.
• Excellent problem-solving and follow-through skills
• Excellent interpersonal and verbal and written communications skills
• Proficient with Word, Excel, Power Point and other Microsoft Suite or other software utilized by CHIRLA.
• Strong commitment to CHIRLA’s mission of empowering low-income community groups and immigrants
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to successfully relate to community residents.
• Support CHIRLA’s fundraising goals including annual fundraising drive and GALA activities.
• Able to work independently as well as a member of a team.

Job Title: Senior Managing Attorney, Removal Defense

Salary & Benefits: $111,300 to $120,382
CHIRLA also offers an excellent benefits package, which includes annual paid vacation; additional paid holiday leave in December; employer contribution to retirement account; health, dental, vision and life insurance plans.

FLSA Classification: Exempt full-time, regular

Classification: CHIRLA recognizes a staff bargaining unit affiliated with AFSCME Local 4501. However, please note that this is a management position and is therefore not covered under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.

REPORTS TO: Deputy Director of Legal Services

CLOSING DATE OF THIS POSITION: Position will remain open until filled

LOCATION: Los Angeles, Headquarters CA

CHIRLA is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit and administers all terms and conditions of employment, including recruitment, appointment, promotion, compensation, benefits, transfers, training and educational opportunities without regard to pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, genetic information as defined by the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, race, religion or religious creed, color, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age (40 or older), sexual orientation, HIV/AIDS status, pregnancy or pregnancy-related disability, military or veteran status or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law or ordinance or regulation. All such discrimination is unlawful. It also prohibits unlawful discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics. All such discrimination is unlawful. (EEO).

Open Positions are available at: Center use link - Career Center - The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights

All Applicants will be required to complete an Application for Employment prior to any scheduled interview.