Supervising Immigration Attorney

Supervising Immigration AttorneyThe Supervising Attorney oversees and manages the legal department and its staff, ensures compliance with legal practice ethics and funder parameters, program development, quality assurance, and cross-collaboration with internal departments. This individual also provides mentorship and training for pro bono attorneys on immigration matters and maintains a limited individual caseload while providing department leadership and supervision.Through funding from the NYS Office of New Americans, IIB has begun to recruit and train pro bono attorneys they can represent clients on legal permanent residency, naturalization, employment authorization, asylum, family sponsorship, etc. Our attorneys train pro bonos on various aspects of immigration law and will review the work product of pro bonos before case filing.IIB's immigration practice is primarily focused on affirmative petitions filed with U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services, and the U.S. Department of State. The legal team works within a larger resettlement agency, which engages interdisciplinary teams of attorneys and case managers to provide a wide range of services including housing, employment, education and other integration supports. The Supervising Attorney should have experience representing clients on affirmative matters before USCIS and defensive representation experience before U.S. Immigration Court.The ideal candidate is comfortable managing an active caseload and will have the patience and approachable demeanor to advise and mentor volunteer attorneys who are not familiar with immigration law. IIB runs a monthly walk-in legal clinic and is holding regular trainings for pro bonos on focused topics of law, to allow them to step in and assist on specific kinds of cases.Qualifications:Graduate of U.S. ABA-accredited law school, Juris DoctorAdmitted to practice with a law license in good standing with any US state bar, NY bar preferredMinimum of three (3) years of legal work experience within the scope of immigration law; substantial experience handling a range of humanitarian and family-based immigration matters, with demonstrated competency in the areas of law within IIB's current scope of services (USCIS, VAWA, U/T visas, asylum, TPS, etc.)Demonstrated experience in a supervisory or mentorship capacityExperience with nonprofit program management highly desiredExperience developing and delivering legal trainings/presentationsExceptional documentation, time management, prioritization, organizational and problem-solving skillsExtensive experience working with diverse cultures, underserved and underrepresented communities, and survivors of traumaStrong verbal and written communication and delegation skillsExceptional oral advocacy skillsProficient legal research skillsAbility to work independentlyProficiency using MS Office and case management/database systemsExperience with case management database software, data analysis and grant report writingAuthorized to work in the U.S.The candidate must have access to a personal vehicle and have a valid driver's license along with proof of active insurance coverage. Some local travel is required to client appointments and trainings, and for local courts and adjudication interviews.Duties And Responsibilities:LeadershipDirectly supervises legal department staff including attorneys, paralegal, and other legal personnel by:Assigning caseloads and responsibilities based on workload, expertise, and program prioritiesMeeting regularly to review case statusesEnsuring timeliness, identifying issues, providing proactive follow-up and exceptional client communicationAdvising and assisting legal team staff in providing high-quality, ethical, and client-centered legal representation from the inception of the case to resolution, including adjudicator interviews, hearings and appealsReviewing written work product; recommending appropriate edits and feedbackEstablishing expectations for case management, documentation, client communication, and professional developmentEvaluating staff performance with regular feedbackMentors, teaches and coaches legal staff to promote continuous learning and skill developmentAssists legal team staff in working effectively with social workers/case managers, community members, support staff and other stakeholdersSupports the Executive Director on legal advocacy issues related to immigration, including trainings and presentations to a wide variety of audiencesIdentifies emerging legal service needs and opportunitiesRecommends changes to legal services, policies, and workflowsConducts educational training on immigration topics related to IIB's scope of service and performs occasional community outreach in conjunction with other IIB staffRepresents IIB in relevant legal-services coalitions, related community-based meetings, and professional networksLegal Quality & CompliancePeriodically reviews the legal unit's case management policies and operating model to ensure compliance with ethics-based law practice models and funder requirementsEnsures all grant contract obligations are fulfilled by working collaboratively with Fiscal Operations & Grants to write and timely file grant reports (narrative responses and data set runs)Assists with grant applications and renewals; participates as needed in program-wide and grant-specific data collectionEnsures efficient workflows are implemented and followed; establishes SOPs and protocols as necessaryMonitors case deadlines and identifies potential risks or issues requiring intervention; escalates complex and urgent matters as appropriate to Executive DirectorAdheres to IIB's organizational policies, legal practice management policies, and case management systemAudits case files and legal work product to ensure accuracy, completeness, timeliness, and complianceProgram AdministrationParticipates in strategic planning for the legal programRepresents retained clients on matters before USCIS, the NVC and Consulates on immigration matters including Adjustment of Status, Naturalization, family-based sponsorship petitions, Employment Authorization (EAD), inadmissibility waivers, consular processing, DACA, asylum, VAWA, U & T visa applications and Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and related appeals for any USCIS-denials of these applicationsProvides representation at Buffalo Immigration Court – performing legal research, establishing case strategy, preparation of applications for relief, attending hearings, writing briefs, and working with expert witnessesLeads IIB's pro bono attorney program, including:Case screening, placement, and deadlinesProviding substantive training, practice resources, mentorship, and ongoing consultationReview of legal work product prior to filingProviding timely, professional, and clear communicationsProvides consistent communication with clients such as following-up through texts, telephone calls and lettersProactively seeks out and maintains subject matter expertise on U.S. immigration law; continuously develops knowledge of case law, statutes, regulations, agency policies; attends conferences and legal education trainings/CLEsThe above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the individual assigned to this role. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The International Institute of Buffalo reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs, as necessary.Working Conditions:Office environment requires, with or without accommodation, employees to consistently use manual dexterity in reaching, writing, navigating around the workspace. This position requires fully functional vision and auditory abilities. This position may include hours standing and walking, including up and down stairs, occasional driving, and moving basic office items of up to 30 pounds.Interested candidates should send their resume to View email address on click.appcast.io International Institute of Buffalo is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, marital status, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, or any other protected classifications in employment or any other aspect of our programs and activities. Should you require an accommodation, according to the guidelines of the ADA, please seek the counsel of Human Resources for assistance.