Staff Attorney

About the Organization Founded in 1979, the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) is a leading non‑profit organization (501(c)(3) in the U.S.) dedicated to defending and advancing the rights and opportunities of low‑income immigrants and their loved ones. NILC’s mission is grounded in the belief that everyone in the U.S. – regardless of race, gender identity, immigration status, or economic status – should have equal access to justice, resources, and educational and economic opportunities that enable them to achieve their full human potential. Together with its affiliate, the National Immigrant Justice Fund (IJF, a 501(c)(4) organization), NILC advocates for federal immigration reform and works through a racial, economic, and gender justice and equity orientation. NILC is at an exciting moment in its trajectory, scaling its work through influencing systems, policy advocacy, movement and power building, narrative and culture strategies, and continuous operational improvements. We seek entrepreneurial, results‑driven relationship builders who share NILC’s mission and values of racial justice & equity, diversity, collaboration, respect, well‑being, and transparency. About the Role As Staff Attorney, you will lead and support the development and litigation of precedent‑setting cases that advance the rights of low‑income immigrants and their families, primarily in the federal court system. You will mentor law fellows and interns, delivering training on case investigation, preparation, and litigation. Your work will also involve impact litigation, policy analysis, advocacy, strategic communications, and movement power building, using a client‑ and community‑centered lawyering approach. In addition to litigation, you may participate in or lead administrative and legislative advocacy. This role is a member of the bargaining unit. Key Responsibilities Conduct impact litigation on a range of issues in collaboration with other Staff Attorneys, Senior Attorneys, Deputy Directors, Paralegals, and Program staff. Identify and develop litigation in federal and state courts, preparing pleadings, motions, and briefs; conducting discovery; presenting oral arguments; and handling appeals. Develop and maintain a significant litigation case load in state and/or federal court, typically in partnership with an internal case team and external co‑counsel. Use plaintiff‑driven, community‑grounded impact litigation creatively and boldly, in combination with NILC’s core strategies of policy research, strategic partnerships, advocacy, communications, and movement power building. Provide legal analysis and technical assistance to colleagues in other departments; government officials and staff; the media; and advocates, organizers, and attorneys nationwide. Develop community education materials, co‑create webinars, and deliver Know‑Your‑Rights presentations. Mentor and teach legal interns, legal fellows, and junior attorneys in all aspects of case development and litigation. Collaborate with staff across the organization via Program workgroups to support ongoing programmatic work. Represent NILC alongside coalition partners on litigation and other areas of legal expertise. Engage with the media about relevant legal work and litigation in coordination with the Strategic Communications department. Proactively and consistently report to relevant staff and leadership about programmatic developments, administrative needs, and broader institutional concerns and opportunities. Assist the legal team with responding to requests for assistance, case development, and provision of legal representation. Engage in policy advocacy, campaigns, and community outreach to advance NILC’s mission. Support and strengthen internal protocols and communication; foster a collaborative work environment and contribute positively to team dynamics; reflect NILC’s and the Legal Department’s values inside and outside the organization. Participate in larger cross‑functional projects using the MOCHA framework/methodology. Supervisory Responsibilities May oversee temporary legal interns or law fellows as needed. Shared Organization Responsibilities Champion NILC & IJF’s mission of advancing the rights of low‑income immigrants by demonstrating a commitment to human rights, racial, economic, and social justice. Attend and actively participate in NILC meetings at the organization, department, project, and individual levels. Build relationships and support colleagues across all teams, recognizing unique backgrounds and perspectives. Follow through on commitments, acting with ownership individually and collectively, and design feedback loops to monitor work and measure results. Learn quickly when facing new situations, experiment to find solutions, take on unfamiliar tasks, and extract lessons learned from failures. Act with integrity: follow through, be direct and truthful, keep confidences, and demonstrate consistency between words and actions. Commit to centering NILC’s values of racial justice & equity, valuing diversity, fostering partnerships, encouraging respect and personal well‑being, and striving for transparency, integrity, and honesty in all decisions and actions. What We’re Looking For In This Role Commitment to NILC & IJF’s mission of advancing the rights of low‑income immigrants and a demonstrated commitment to human rights, racial, economic and social justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, and justice for all. Collaborative, proactive, and action‑oriented working style with a strong service mentality, promoting mutual accountability and inspiring trust and confidence. Sound judgment in decision‑making, high integrity, and utmost respect for confidentiality. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including drafting reports, correspondence, and presentations for various audiences; conducting thorough research; drafting and filing legal documents for litigation; and writing narratives for advocacy and communications. Self‑starter with the ability to move daily tasks forward in alignment with NILC’s broader organizational needs; ability to work in a fast‑paced environment, with external co‑counsel, and to resolve conflicts constructively. Qualifications Required JD degree and active membership in good standing of a State Bar Association required. 2–6+ years of litigation experience. Demonstrated experience in investigation and development of impact litigation. Proficiency with in‑office and virtual environments and software such as Microsoft Office, internet research, and virtual collaboration tools. Preferred Qualifications Civil litigation experience in federal court preferred. Expertise in immigrants’ rights or public‑interest impact litigation strongly preferred. Proficiency in non‑English languages spoken by Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islander, African, Caribbean, and Arab communities preferred; fluency in more than one language desirable. Work Environment Location & Travel NILC’s offices are located in Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles, California. Travel for litigation will be required on a case‑by‑case basis. Up to 30% of overnight interstate travel may be required; generally quarterly to the NILC Washington, D.C. office or another U.S. location for 3–5 nights at a time. Compensation Compensation philosophy: pay competitively in the nonprofit sector and ensure equity across the organization. Salary range: $86,726 – $108,459. Remote work is allowed for the following states: Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Georgia, Maryland, Montana, North Carolina, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin. Applicants must live in one of these locations. Benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, life and AD&D, STD, and LTD insurance; healthcare and dependent care FSA; stipends or reimbursements for wellness, phone, and internet; generous paid time off; a robust holiday schedule; an employee assistance program; and additional voluntary insurance packages. Physical Demands Remain in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods. Communicate with others to exchange information. Repeat motions such as typing or answering the phone, which may include wrists, hands, and/or fingers. DEPARTMENT OF EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND DIVERSITY statements: NILC is an equal‑opportunity employer. NILC’s goal is for our people to reflect the communities in which we serve. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, including people of color, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. If your education and experience do not exactly align with the above, that is acceptable – NILC believes diversity supports innovative thinking and is committed to removing barriers to hiring. Please let us know in your cover letter why you are qualified and the right fit for this role. #J-18808-Ljbffr National Immigration Law Center