Supervising Attorney

Location: 80 Maiden Lane

FLSA Status: Full Time, Exempt

Classification: Professional

Department : Immigrant and Refugee Services

Office: Immigration Legal Services

Reports to: Managing Attorneys

Supervisor Responsibilities: Yes__X___ No______

Summary: The Immigration Legal Services Program (ILSP) Supervising Attorney is one of several attorneys in the Division's legal program reporting to Managing Attorneys and the Director of Legal Services. Each Supervising Attorney administers and coordinates various legal program functions, including: participation at community legal clinics; information and pro se services at the immigration courts; intake and assessment of cases for representation; pro bono project services; and substantive mentorship and technical assistance for all cases under their supervision, advocacy with state and federal courts, participation in rapid response efforts, and oversight of project-based programming as well as junior legal staff. The Supervising Attorney will supervise internal staff attorneys; will also be available to train, mentor, advise and supervise pro bono volunteer advocates including: firm attorneys, general counsel, solo practitioners, law students, fellows, etc.; and will maintain an internal caseload secondary to and dependent on supervision needs. The Supervising Attorney will also keep staff updated about changes in laws, procedures and policies relevant to immigrants, and will assist in developing legal strategies to address emerging issues. Also includes, as appropriate and necessary, supervision of departmental legal staff, directed advocacy, program development, program representation with public and private stakeholders, limited teaching/speaking.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Supervise and oversee a team of staff attorneys and paralegals on a variety of legal services and immigration representation matters, including: legal clinical services at schools and in the courts, intake services, group information sessions and KYRs, naturalization, family based petitions, adjustment of status, naturalization, green card renewals, humanitarian representation, including VAWA, U/T, DACA, TPS, affirmative asylum, SIJS, and all forms of removal defense representation as well as opportunities for appellate work.
• Supervise pro bono volunteer advocates through Division programming, including: fellowships, internships, clinic programs, and individual placements. Supervision includes: advising/training pro bono volunteer advocates on substantive family and immigration law and procedures; ensuring quality of legal work; ensuring case outcomes are met; and assisting with required reports and requests for information about program and funding proposals.
• Supervises and conducts client intake; evaluates matters for purposes of issue spotting and placement; supervises caseloads of direct reports; provides ongoing supervision to staff advocate depending on the nature of issue and on the client; develops and updates materials for legal trainings, maintains a template bank, supports cross project best practice sharing;
• Maintain a sensible appropriate caseload, in light of and secondary to supervisory duties, that will include screening, advising, and representing individuals: a) facing removal proceedings or other immigration-related federal litigation matters, including, but not limited to: criminal or security grounds of inadmissibility /deportability, cancellation of removal, asylum, Board of Immigration Appeals and federal appeals practice, motion practice, etc., and b) in more specialized and complex immigration applications including, but not limited to: special juvenile immigrant petitions, VAWA petitions, U and T visa applications, deferred action, inadmissibility waivers, etc.;
• Develop responses and strategies in response to emerging issues; meet regularly with Legal Leadership to provide progress reports;
• Monitor the work of legal staff and pro bona volunteers through the pro bono platform, LawLogix case management, site visits, periodic file review, etc.;
• Develop and provide in-house and outreach trainings, presentations and workshops, as directed;
• Comply with program reporting requirements, such as maintaining LLX and physical files, Dashboard case recording and productivity tracking, monthly statistics and case reports, and reporting to partners and stakeholders;
• As directed, represent CCCS at local committees, coalitions, and collaboratives; serve as a primary liaison with local elected and law enforcement representatives, with the aim of enhancing CCCS presence and voice.
• Maintain and update electronic files, as well as physical case files;

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work:

The position will require the Supervising Attorney to perform work at the New York City office, and in immigration and family courts. The position requires willingness to travel throughout the Archdiocese. Days and hours of work are generally 9:00 AM to 5 PM Monday – Friday. Additional evening/weekend hours may be required to meet court and/or program deadlines or client needs.

Working conditions and physical demands required :

The demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Travel at least 20% of the time using public transportation or vehicle, traverse city streets, occasionally ascend/descend stairs, and be exposed to outside weather conditions.
• Remain stationary at a work station, in court/meetings, and use a computer at least 70% of the time.
• Remain stationary and/or ambulate to instruct and monitor during trainings and presentations.
• Carry a laptop to offsite work locations.

Qualifications

Education and/or experience required:

• Juris Doctor.
• At least four (4) years of post-JD experience in immigration law.
• Admission to the New York Bar, or the ability to waive in.
• At least one (1) year of supervisory experience.

Skills, Licenses, and/or competencies required :

• Bilingual in English and a 2nd language preferred, but not required.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and computer skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, maturity, and an ability to work both independently and in a highly collaborative team environment.
• Strong management skills.
• Ability and willingness to travel throughout New York City and the Lower Hudson Valley.

Catholic Charities and Catholic Charities Community Services is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristics protected by law.