Immigrant Defenders Law Center
Managing Attorney
Immigrant Defenders Law Center, Los Angeles, California, United States, 90079
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Managing Attorney
role at
Immigrant Defenders Law Center
Overview Immigrant Defenders Law Center (“ImmDef”) is a next‑generation, social justice law firm that provides high‑quality representation and legal services to immigrants in Southern California and beyond. ImmDef was founded with the belief that no immigrant should be forced to face an unjust immigration system alone and our universal representation programs are a first step toward that goal. Learn more about us at
www.immdef.org .
Responsibilities
Work collaboratively with ImmDef Directors, Directing Attorneys and other Managers across all ImmDef programs to advance ImmDef’s mission.
Mentor, supervise and provide support for a team of staff attorneys representing detained and recently released children and adults in their immigration removal proceedings and applications for immigration benefits.
Monitor capacity and distribution of work through regular one‑on‑one meetings with attorneys.
Lead case review sessions and collaborate with staff to develop case strategies and litigation tactics.
Provide guidance to staff attorneys to work as part of a team and in furtherance of the mission of the organization.
Develop and implement policies, templates and procedures that increase effectiveness and efficiency within our representation work.
Conduct performance evaluations, identify training needs and address personnel issues for direct reports.
Keep abreast of changes in case, statutory, or regulatory law and changes in detention practices.
Support attorney and legal staff professional development by coordinating ongoing legal trainings and ensuring that changes in law, policy, and practice are reflected in ImmDef’s training and professional development resources.
Foster and support a client‑centered and mission‑driven office culture.
Build a team‑centered client service model, and monitor issues related to services to manage on‑going engagement and client expectations.
Ensure compliance with ImmDef’s record‑keeping, grant and funding, professional and ethical, and case management obligations.
Participate in and supervise the program’s engagement in coalitions advocating for immigrants’ rights, and management of stakeholder relationships.
Provide fearless and zealous representation to clients on reduced caseload deportation defense cases.
Support recruitment efforts for staff openings within assigned program areas.
Other duties as assigned by ImmDef leadership.
Requirements
Juris Doctorate degree.
Active California State Bar License or licensure from another state and willingness to “waive into” the CA Bar via the Multi‑Jurisdictional Practice Program.
A minimum of 3 years of experience in the practice of law.
A minimum of 2 years of immigration removal defense specific experience.
Strong case management, legal research, and legal writing skills.
Willingness to zealously pursue new and untested legal theories.
Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work under pressure.
Passion for social justice for immigrants required.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience representing children, families, and adults in asylum, major immigration case types, and related matters before USCIS or EOIR.
Experience representing adults in ICE detention or children in ORR custody.
Experience representing children and families in guardianship, parentage, child custody, or dependency proceedings in California.
Experience managing, teaching and mentoring staff.
Knowledge of best practices in working with clients with mental competency issues, including those suffering from mental health challenges and children.
DACA recipients encouraged to apply.
Language Proficiency
Spanish language proficiency strongly preferred; fluency in other languages may be considered.
Summary ImmDef’s standard work schedule is 35 hours per week, or 70 hours per pay period, with flexible scheduling options including hybrid and compressed schedules that allow staff to take up to one day off per week without needing to use paid time off.
Schedule & Working Hours
Hybrid Work Schedule: Staff in exempt positions at ImmDef are expected to be in the office a minimum of 3 days per week, with 2 days available to work remotely.
Professional Memberships
Membership in the National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild (NIPNLG) and $150 toward the professional association of their choice.
California Bar Dues (or equivalent) covered for all attorneys.
Holidays & Paid Time Off
13 paid holidays.
1‑week paid winter break between Christmas and New Years.
15 vacation days per year.
15 sick days per year.
Health, Dental & Vision Insurance Health coverage begins at the first of the month following 30 days of employment. ImmDef provides generous contributions toward medical, dental, and vision plans for employees and their dependents. Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Dependent Care FSAs are available.
401(k) Retirement Savings Plan & Employer Matching
Eligible to enroll in 401(k) plans immediately upon hire.
After six months on staff, ImmDef will match 100% of contributions up to 3% of the employee’s salary.
Funds are vested immediately.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Full‑time ImmDef staff with qualifying student loans are eligible for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
Parking & Public Transportation Stipends
Parking stipend up to $100 per month for actual accrued parking or transportation costs.
Public transportation stipend up to $100 per month for actual accrued public transportation costs.
Cell Phone Stipend ImmDef provides a $15 monthly cell phone stipend to staff members whose duties require frequent work outside of ImmDef offices or travel between sites.
Must submit Cover Letter to be considered. ImmDef is currently recruiting staff attorneys within several programs. If you have a preference as to which program you would like to be considered for, please indicate this in your cover letter. Learn more about our programs at
www.immdef.org . While there is a preference for some positions to be based in our Los Angeles office, ImmDef will consider candidates who desire to be based in one of our other offices: Riverside or Santa Ana. Due to the large number of applicants, we are unable to respond to every applicant and will only contact those invited to interview for the position.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Managing Attorney
role at
Immigrant Defenders Law Center
Overview Immigrant Defenders Law Center (“ImmDef”) is a next‑generation, social justice law firm that provides high‑quality representation and legal services to immigrants in Southern California and beyond. ImmDef was founded with the belief that no immigrant should be forced to face an unjust immigration system alone and our universal representation programs are a first step toward that goal. Learn more about us at
www.immdef.org .
Responsibilities
Work collaboratively with ImmDef Directors, Directing Attorneys and other Managers across all ImmDef programs to advance ImmDef’s mission.
Mentor, supervise and provide support for a team of staff attorneys representing detained and recently released children and adults in their immigration removal proceedings and applications for immigration benefits.
Monitor capacity and distribution of work through regular one‑on‑one meetings with attorneys.
Lead case review sessions and collaborate with staff to develop case strategies and litigation tactics.
Provide guidance to staff attorneys to work as part of a team and in furtherance of the mission of the organization.
Develop and implement policies, templates and procedures that increase effectiveness and efficiency within our representation work.
Conduct performance evaluations, identify training needs and address personnel issues for direct reports.
Keep abreast of changes in case, statutory, or regulatory law and changes in detention practices.
Support attorney and legal staff professional development by coordinating ongoing legal trainings and ensuring that changes in law, policy, and practice are reflected in ImmDef’s training and professional development resources.
Foster and support a client‑centered and mission‑driven office culture.
Build a team‑centered client service model, and monitor issues related to services to manage on‑going engagement and client expectations.
Ensure compliance with ImmDef’s record‑keeping, grant and funding, professional and ethical, and case management obligations.
Participate in and supervise the program’s engagement in coalitions advocating for immigrants’ rights, and management of stakeholder relationships.
Provide fearless and zealous representation to clients on reduced caseload deportation defense cases.
Support recruitment efforts for staff openings within assigned program areas.
Other duties as assigned by ImmDef leadership.
Requirements
Juris Doctorate degree.
Active California State Bar License or licensure from another state and willingness to “waive into” the CA Bar via the Multi‑Jurisdictional Practice Program.
A minimum of 3 years of experience in the practice of law.
A minimum of 2 years of immigration removal defense specific experience.
Strong case management, legal research, and legal writing skills.
Willingness to zealously pursue new and untested legal theories.
Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work under pressure.
Passion for social justice for immigrants required.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience representing children, families, and adults in asylum, major immigration case types, and related matters before USCIS or EOIR.
Experience representing adults in ICE detention or children in ORR custody.
Experience representing children and families in guardianship, parentage, child custody, or dependency proceedings in California.
Experience managing, teaching and mentoring staff.
Knowledge of best practices in working with clients with mental competency issues, including those suffering from mental health challenges and children.
DACA recipients encouraged to apply.
Language Proficiency
Spanish language proficiency strongly preferred; fluency in other languages may be considered.
Summary ImmDef’s standard work schedule is 35 hours per week, or 70 hours per pay period, with flexible scheduling options including hybrid and compressed schedules that allow staff to take up to one day off per week without needing to use paid time off.
Schedule & Working Hours
Hybrid Work Schedule: Staff in exempt positions at ImmDef are expected to be in the office a minimum of 3 days per week, with 2 days available to work remotely.
Professional Memberships
Membership in the National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild (NIPNLG) and $150 toward the professional association of their choice.
California Bar Dues (or equivalent) covered for all attorneys.
Holidays & Paid Time Off
13 paid holidays.
1‑week paid winter break between Christmas and New Years.
15 vacation days per year.
15 sick days per year.
Health, Dental & Vision Insurance Health coverage begins at the first of the month following 30 days of employment. ImmDef provides generous contributions toward medical, dental, and vision plans for employees and their dependents. Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Dependent Care FSAs are available.
401(k) Retirement Savings Plan & Employer Matching
Eligible to enroll in 401(k) plans immediately upon hire.
After six months on staff, ImmDef will match 100% of contributions up to 3% of the employee’s salary.
Funds are vested immediately.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Full‑time ImmDef staff with qualifying student loans are eligible for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
Parking & Public Transportation Stipends
Parking stipend up to $100 per month for actual accrued parking or transportation costs.
Public transportation stipend up to $100 per month for actual accrued public transportation costs.
Cell Phone Stipend ImmDef provides a $15 monthly cell phone stipend to staff members whose duties require frequent work outside of ImmDef offices or travel between sites.
Must submit Cover Letter to be considered. ImmDef is currently recruiting staff attorneys within several programs. If you have a preference as to which program you would like to be considered for, please indicate this in your cover letter. Learn more about our programs at
www.immdef.org . While there is a preference for some positions to be based in our Los Angeles office, ImmDef will consider candidates who desire to be based in one of our other offices: Riverside or Santa Ana. Due to the large number of applicants, we are unable to respond to every applicant and will only contact those invited to interview for the position.
#J-18808-Ljbffr