Overview
The Managing Attorney will lead Immigration Legal Services programs in Dallas and Abilene, overseeing legal services for refugees, immigrants, and community members. The role involves direct supervision of legal professionals, program development, and direct legal representation.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee legal strategy through daily direct supervision of a team of legal practitioners.
- Employ adaptive management techniques to provide regular individual supervision and support.
- Mentor staff, set clear performance expectations and goals, give regular performance feedback, help prioritize workloads, help troubleshoot challenges, and maintain appropriate professional development plans.
- Develop and monitor intake procedures, case acceptance policies, and caseload targets and limits.
- Provide direct legal representation to a limited caseload of individuals where applicable.
- Actively co-facilitate and support grant opening, grant review, and grant closing meetings.
- Lead all aspects of grant cycle, including developing/implementing monitoring & evaluation plans.
- Ensure program data is collected consistently, managed appropriately and reported timely.
- Ensure effective integration of internships and volunteers within programs.
- Collaborate with other IRC program areas as appropriate to ensure client-centered service.
- Establish, maintain and periodically refresh legal services program policies and procedures.
- Oversee and/or conduct regular case file reviews to ensure compliance with legal case management procedures.
- Create and maintain a viable outreach strategy to cultivate and maintain strong relationships with community-based organizations, the private bar, and nonprofit legal providers.
- Serve on Senior Management Team/Leadership Team.
- Partner with local leadership to secure resources that advance program goals.
- Work closely with the HQ Legal Services Technical Unit and field offices as part of IRC’s immigration network.
- Serve as a strong advocate for humanitarian immigrants.
Required Experience
5 years’ experience or more providing direct representation in immigration court and before USCIS to asylum applicants and other immigrants seeking relief from removal; At least 2 years of experience providing supervision to attorneys and/or DOJ accredited representatives in a legal services context. Program management experience preferred. Experience with affirmative applications before USCIS (eg, adjustment of status, naturalization, I-130s); Experience organizing and facilitating immigration workshops and immigration information sessions; Experience overseeing annual budgets and leading fundraising efforts, including identifying funding opportunities, managing grant processes, and building relationships with donors and community partners.
Qualifications
Law degree (JD or LLM) from an ABA-accredited U.S. institution and member in good standing of any state bar
