Associate Director, Legal Services
About The Position
The Associate Director, Legal Services plays a critical role in ensuring timely access to high-quality legal support for survivors of torture and severe human rights violations at the Marjorie Kovler Center. This senior in-house attorney will strengthen, coordinate, and expand trauma-informed legal services within an integrated model of care that includes mental health, medical, and case management teams. The role combines direct legal services in urgent cases with program leadership, capacity building, and collaboration with external legal partners across Chicago. The Associate Director, Legal Services will help build the legal services team and will lead the design and implementation of MKC’s legal pro bono program.
Requirements
- Juris Doctorate (JD) degree and licensed to practice law in any U.S. state (Illinois strongly preferred).
- Minimum 5 years of immigration law experience; supervisory experience preferred.
- Experience with detained docket.
- Commitment to trauma-informed, culturally responsive advocacy.
- Strong collaboration and communication skills.
- Fluency in English required with a second language strongly preferred (French, Spanish, or other languages commonly spoken by program participants).
- Proficiency in Microsoft 365
- Ability to remain calm, flexible, and solution-oriented in high-pressure or crisis situations.
- Commitment to ethical practice, confidentiality standards, and professional development.
- Demonstrated experience analyzing the impact of laws on vulnerable populations and advocating for improved laws and policies. Strong legal research, writing, and debate skills.
- Excellent writing and analytical abilities. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in both legal and non-legal settings with diverse individuals and organizations.
- Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to address practical challenges and adapt to situations with limited standardization. Capacity to interpret and apply a variety of instructions delivered in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form.
Nice To Haves
- Fluency in a second language strongly preferred (French, Spanish, or other languages commonly spoken by program participants).
Responsibilities
- Coordinate urgent detention response for participants who are detained or at imminent risk of detention.
- Consult on complex cases (approximately 4-5 per month).
- Compile documentation and support advocacy efforts for immigration needs, release, or relief.
- Supervise and manage legal services team as the program grows.
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and community-based partners to support comprehensive legal services and advocacy for survivors of torture and human rights violations.
- Cultivate and strengthen external legal partnerships, including conducting trainings and maintaining active membership in relevant communities of practice.
- Develop standardized protocols to bring routine legal services in-house.
- Build and strengthen internal systems for legal intake, triage, and referrals.
- Ensure compliance with ethical standards and best practices, including trauma-informed care.
- Oversee culturally and linguistically responsive Know Your Rights workshops quarterly.
- Lead regular staff education sessions on immigration policy changes and advocacy opportunities.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
