Summary

Las Americas is a nationally recognized organization dedicated to serving immigrants and asylum seekers with high quality legal services, advocacy, and support in the borderland communities surrounding El Paso, Texas and southern New Mexico. Founded in 1987 by the visionary co-founders of Annunciation House, Las Americas was designed to address the unmet legal needs of Central Americans fleeing civil war and political unrest in the 1980’s. Since its founding, Las Americas has served over 50,000 persons, while advocating for a robust asylum system, working to reunify separated families, and advocating for systemic change to US immigration policy and practices.

Las Americas is at a key inflection point in its organizational history. The demand for high quality legal services for immigrants is at an all time high and capacity is limited. We seek an innovative leader equipped with a strong legal foundation adept at creative lawyering to guide a team of dogged advocates fueled by their commitment to the El Paso community and the fight for a more just world.

The Director of Advocacy and Legal Services will work closely with the Executive Director and legal program staff to articulate and execute a vision for all legal programs and services offered by the organization. The Director of Legal Services will supervise the legal team in an effort to best serve the mission of Las Americas. The director’s time will be distributed as follows: legal strategy and advocacy (40%); management and supervision (40%); program development and evaluation (10%), and case work (10%).

Responsibilities

Legal Strategy and Advocacy

• Chart the short term and long term strategic direction for all legal programs and advocacy efforts in close collaboration with the Executive Director, fundraising staff, and program team supervisors and staff
• Develop internal team structure and legal services model that meets community and staff needs (in partnership with other members of the management team)
• Develop a thoughtful talent pipeline for all legal service roles (in partnership with other members of the management team)
• Authorize all advocacy endeavors as appropriate including but not limited to rapid response, sign on letters, statements, strategic interviews, advocacy meetings, and public actions in conjunction with the Executive Director
• Position Las Americas as a trusted community resource (in partnership with other members of the management team)
• Engage with the public, media, and donors regarding immigration policies and local border issues pertaining to immigration and the legal program at Las Americas as needed
• Serve as point of contact on all active impact litigation involving Las Americas as plaintiff
• Develop policies related to engaging in impact litigation
• Represent Las Americas in key coalitions and partner tables locally and nationally (in partnership with other members of the management team)

Management and Supervision

• Quality control of the legal output through regular qualitative audits of each team (in partnership with other members of the management team)
• Assist supervisors and lead attorneys in assigning cases to staff attorneys, accredited representatives and paralegals, based on area of expertise and current caseload
• Effectively manage legal interns, volunteers (including pro-bono attorneys) based on team needs
• Optimize legal services capabilities through collaboration with private bar and other non-profit legal service providers (in partnership with other members of the management team)

Oversight of Legal Programs

• Collaborate with staff attorneys and accredited representatives to identify viable cases and provide the best legal advice to prospective clients and pending intakes to make timely decisions of what cases can be accepted for representation
• Assist supervisor and lead attorneys in co-chairing difficult cases
• Stay abreast of legal changes in the field and identify means of training all staff to ensure everyone, from the executive director to front desk, is aware of how changes impact day-to-day services
• Implement and oversee use of efficiency and case management systems

Compliance with Ethical and Grant Obligations

• Ensure legal systems are meeting current demand and grant requirements with healthy and attainable deliverables (in partnership with other members of the management team)
• Safekeeping and proper disposition of legal records, including client documents (in partnership with other members of the management team)
• Ensure compliance and monitoring of IOLTA account
• Client relations in problematic cases and/or client complaints
• Ensure competency of legal staff and oversight of accredited representative program

Ideal Candidates Will Have

• Expertise in immigration law and policy
• Previous successful management experience
• Exemplary organizational and internal systems-building skills
• Experience working with indigent and vulnerable populations
• Commitment to continuous growth and development of others
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice and service to others
• Spirit of collegiality, creativity, and initiative
• Ability to break down silos and view legal program areas holistically
• Flexibility to transition from strategic to granular as needed by the legal team
• Commitment to long-term relationship building both internally and external to the organization
• Excellent customer service skills
• Demonstrated thought leadership
• Love and respect for our borderland region

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate degree with membership in good standing in the bar of any state and/or the District of Columbia
• Minimum of 3-5 years’ experience in immigration law (5 years preferred)
• Minimum of one year of’ experience supervising legal staff (may include supervision of paralegals)
• Knowledge of affirmative and removal defense work before USCIS, the Immigration Court, and Board of Immigration Appeals
• Well-organized, self-motivated, able to work well under pressure, and able to work collaboratively and as part of a team
• Excellent written, analytical, oral, organizational, and time management skills
• Must always maintain professional demeanor and excellent work ethics
• Strong public speaking ability
• Proficiency with computers, common office equipment, MS Office, Google Suite, legal case management software
• Must work locally out of El Paso, TX

Preferred Experience

• Bilingual - English/Spanish strongly preferred but not required
• Direct services experience
• Ability to stay up to date with immigration policies and procedures to provide guidance and training for legal teams
• Experience with media interviews
• Experience with impact litigation
• Experience working with people from diverse backgrounds, including low-income populations, people who are marginally housed, immigrants, LGBTQ individuals, people of color and/or persons with disabilities, and survivors of trauma
• Dedication to serving immigrant communities with a sincere commitment to working on behalf of low-income immigrants

Salary

• Minimum salary starting at $80,000 and not to exceed $90,000

Benefits

• Health insurance benefits paid with employer contributions
• Flexible work environment and schedule
• Paid time off includes personal, sick, vacation and all federal holidays

To Apply

• Send resume, cover letter, and (3) references via Bamboo.

Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center is an equal opportunity employer and offers equal employment opportunities in recruitment, selection, and advancement with no regard to race, cultural heritage, nationality, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, or any other status protected under the law.

Summary

Since 1923, Commonwealth Catholic Charities (CCC)has provided life-changing human services to vulnerable individuals and families throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. CCC offers quality and compassionate human services to all people, especially the most vulnerable, regardless of faith. We are passionate about the work we do in our communities, providing 31 critical services at 11 locations throughout Virginia.

The Immigration Attorney will carry out all key contract activities related to legal services for unaccompanied children. The attorney will prepare cases for children in or recently released from ORR custody, up to age 18. Representation includes all immigration-related matters, such as state court proceedings for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), removal defense, appeals, Know Your Rights presentations, and legal screenings. Other legal assistance for unrepresented children may include legal referrals or referrals to supportive services (e.g., child advocates or social services); individual or group preparation for immigration court appearances; assistance with immigration-related custody or placement matters (such as release requests for children aging out of ORR custody); and support with filing immigration paperwork, including Change of Venue, Change of Address, employment authorization documents (EADs), or I-94 corrections.

The position is based out of the Newport News office and requires frequent travel throughout Hampton Roads, Richmond, and to the Immigration Court (EOIR) in Arlington.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate all aspects of a minor’s case, including client communication, relevant research, drafting personal statements, preparing immigration forms, writing briefs, drafting court motions and orders, and advocacy with law enforcement and other agencies.
• Conduct regular visits with children in ORR custody and maintain documentation of contact
• Assist in the supervision of volunteers and student interns, solicit support from volunteer attorneys, paralegals, and others to assist with the provision of services when necessary.
• Supervise the work of the legal fellow, ensuring the quality and ethical handling of their cases
• Hold biweekly supervisory meetings with legal team to discuss cases and ensure high-quality service provision
• Submit reports and invoices on time and with accuracy
• Maintain organized case files using a combination of physical and digital file management strategies
• Participate as needed in agency and program-wide data collection and strategic planning.
• Participate in meetings with immigration legal service community-based organizations.
• Participate on a periodic basis in naturalization workshops.
• Ensure client fees are assessed and collected per retainer agreements.
• Maintain client database and files and accordance with program/legal requirements and CCC guidelines.
• Comply with all legal and ethical standards.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively to manage a substantial workload with deadline pressures.
• Competence in communicating and interacting with others of diverse cultural, geographic, and economic backgrounds in a professional and compassionate manner, including interacting with individuals experiencing substantial levels of emotional, physical, financial, or other hardship.
• Familiar with and/or committed to trauma-informed legal services
• Represents the Agency in the community and workplace in a professional and ethical manner.
• Demonstrates sensitivity to the service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.
• Demonstrates strong interpersonal, decision-making, problem-solving, oral, and written skills.
• Utilizes a basic knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
• Other duties may be assigned.
• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree and admission to the VA Bar. Maintain bar membership through continuing education. Minimum of one year of experience practicing family-based and/or humanitarian immigration law.
• The candidate must be:
  • Licensed and in good standing with the Virginia Bar; or
  • Accredited by the U.S. Department of Justice; or
  • A law graduate working under attorney supervision in accordance with requirements to appear before the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR).

Others

• Because the contract requires Legal Service Providers (LSPs) to comply with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.204-25, staff must perform all contract-related work from within the United States.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish is strongly preferred.
• Candidates must be trained on relevant contract requirements, including local practice norms and stakeholder expectations.
• A background check, as required by ORR policy, must be completed prior to unsupervised direct service with children.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish strongly preferred.
• Spanish Immersion language courses, online courses, tutoring and other Spanish resources are available to improve the overall capacity of the program to serve Spanish speaking clients.

Salary

• 56035.20  - 75000.00

Benefits

• Retirement savings – After one year of employment, the agency contributes 4% of your plan year earnings into a savings account for you and will match dollar-for-dollar up to 4% of salary if an employee makes contributions to the plan. That’s an 8% annual contribution to your retirement savings!
• PTO – earn 16 days off for vacation, sick, or personal time in your first year. This goes up to 22 days in your second year and keeps climbing every five years.
• Holidays – Enjoy eleven paid holidays Other paid leave at no cost to employees – bereavement, short-term disability, long-term disability, paid parental leave Virginia Credit Union memberships
• Employee Assistance program – Free services including five free confidential consultations with a mental health professional
• Medical Insurance – a choice of 4 PPO plans for employee, employee + spouse, employee + child(ren), or family coverage. A portion of premiums subsidized by the agency.
• Dental Insurance – a choice of two dental plans for employee, employee + spouse, employee + child(ren), or family coverage. A portion of premiums subsidized by the agency.
• Vision/Life insurance – paid by agency with option to purchase additional coverage
• Other insurance benefits – flexible spending accounts including dependent care, health savings account (for qualified HDHP participants), legal resources

How to Apply

Turn your passion for helping others into a meaningful career with CCC. Apply now at Careers | Commonwealth Catholic Charities. Commonwealth Catholic Charities is an equal opportunity employer and a drug free workplace.