Legal Director

CASA•Hyattsville, MD

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

CASA’s mission is to create a more just society by building power and improving the quality of life in working-class: Black, Latino/a/e, Afro-descendent, Indigenous, and Immigrant Communities. Our vision is rooted in the collective power of our community, our inclusive, permanent, member-led movement radically transforms communities and systems to ensure the needs, dreams, and aspirations of members are fully met as we strive for justice and full liberation at home and in solidarity with others across the world. CASA has a sister organization, CASA in Action, a separate, but related, nonprofit organization that is exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. Although CASA and CASA in Action share a common goal of supporting immigrants and low-income people in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, they are separate organizations with their own board of directors. A set of employees at the two organizations, including the person filling this position, shares their time between the two organizations. This has no effect on salary or benefits. The immigrant community is under attack, and CASA’s legal department is on the front line fighting back. The legal department at CASA operates under the principles of Justice is the goal, law is a means. It is a marathon, not a sprint. We endeavor to find the most creative strategies to combat the abuses and injustices identified by our constituents. We value justice in the largest sense possible, not only one person at a time legal solutions, but broad, transformative solutions created in combination with community leaders, CASA staff, other local and national organizations, and other key partners in our work. We value our time and believe that though hard and sustained effort is often required, real rest is also necessary for creativity, stamina and “a life,” however defined. Our legal department currently operates on a hybrid work model, with three days “on site”. CASA’s Legal Director will become part of the national powerhouse organization that is protecting and defending our immigrant community against xenophobic, white supremacist policies and practices. The Legal Director plays a leading role in CASA’s local, regional and national efforts to support and defend CASA’s community base through litigation, advocacy, and direct legal services. The Legal Director will be a talented, dynamic, and creative leader on CASA’s executive team, responsible and accountable for the goals and operations of the legal department; supervising members of the legal team, including managing attorneys, supervising attorneys, senior attorneys, staff attorneys, paralegals, and legal assistants; and representing the legal team in interdepartmental spaces, such as supporting advocacy efforts led by CASA’s Organizing and Advocacy Departments. The ideal candidate will have significant legal and management experience, preferably in a non-profit setting working with immigrant, Black, Brown, Afro-Descendant, and/or Indigenous communities. This position is eligible to work from CASA's Multicultural Center in Hyattsville MD, CASA's Baltimore Welcome Center in Baltimore, MD, or CASA's Rockville Welcome Center in Rockville, MD.

Requirements

Juris Doctorate (J.D.) with a minimum of 7 years legal experience (immigration and/or litigation experience preferred).
Admitted to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction (Maryland strongly preferred; D.C., Virginia, Pennsylvania, or Georgia preferred).
Valid U.S. Driver’s License and reliable transportation.
7+ years practicing law
5+ years supervising staff and managing programs
Bilingual/multilingual, with English being one of the languages; Spanish preferred; French is a plus.
Creative, movement lawyer, committed to social change and community organizing, including implementing member-led decisions and priorities, and delivering legal services in a way that builds power
Experience and deep commitment to civil rights, particularly workers’, tenants’ and immigrants’ rights, including experience working with the immigrant community
Strong commitment to Racial Justice, Equity & Inclusion (RJEI) principles in all aspects of work and leadership
Background in grants management, fundraising, and stakeholder engagement
Experience maintaining legal case management systems and advanced proficiency in basic computer programs (Microsoft Office suite, etc.); knowledge of Salesforce is a plus
Excellent oral and written communication skills, including in legal advocacy and public communication
Strong interpersonal communication, conflict resolution, and negotiation skills
Ability to travel, as required, for trainings, litigation, speaking engagements and other needs
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and effectively across teams
Well-organized with ability to work independently under minimal supervision, managing multiple projects

Nice To Haves

Immigration and/or litigation experience preferred.
Maryland strongly preferred; D.C., Virginia, Pennsylvania, or Georgia preferred.
Spanish preferred; French is a plus.
Knowledge of Salesforce is a plus.

Responsibilities

Serve as a member of CASA’s Executive Team, actively participating in organization-wide decisions and advising Senior Leadership on programmatic and organizational issues
Provide strategic leadership and oversight of the Legal Department, including preparation, implementation, and evaluation of annual plans and budgets consistent with CASA’s Strategic Plan and Objective Key Results
Participate actively in departmental and organizational planning processes, including developing and executing individual workplans and professional development plans for all staff, evaluating and tracking progress
Oversee legal services, litigation and social justice campaigns in areas such as immigration, employment, housing, and civil rights
In conjunction with CASA’s Community Organizing and Advocacy departments, develop and implement policy and legislative priorities and social justice campaigns
Supervise and mentor managing attorneys, supervising attorneys, staff attorneys, external attorneys, paralegals and legal assistants
Lead cases independently, or co-counsel with internal attorneys and external partners, as appropriate
Ensure high-quality legal advocacy and legal case management across CASA’s footprint
Conduct regular supervision, including bi-weekly supervisory meetings with all direct reports
Conduct program and personnel evaluations
Facilitate organizational meetings, events, and trainings
Develop and implement plans to engage Black and Indigenous communities to expand access to services and integration with CASA’s Community Organizing Department
Represent CASA in local, regional, and national spaces, such as in coalitions, on the media, and at public events
Support the development and expansion of CASA’s membership base
Cultivate and maintain relationships with external partners, including pro bono attorneys and litigation partners
Monitor the proper and accurate collection of data among team members
Regularly analyze metrics and progress toward key result measures
Prepare reports for funders and other stakeholders in collaboration with staff
Assist with fundraising to grow and sustain the Legal Department and CASA organizationally
Meet deadlines established by supervisor and consistent with Departmental and individual workplans
Other Duties as Assigned

Benefits

Generous paid time off , including: annual leave starting at three weeks per year (proportional accrual per pay period), two weeks of sick leave, three days of personal leave, and additional compensatory leave for exempt employees.
Sixteen (16) paid holidays per calendar year.
Health, dental, and vision insurance (CASA pays 100% of the premium costs for the employee up to our HMO plan, 55% for couples, 65% for children and 60% for family)
Basic life and AD&D
Long and Short Term Disability insurance
Professional Development: Those pursuing a course of study related to work performed at CASA may be eligible for a reimbursement up to $3,000.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
FSA Account including Dependent Care.
401(k) retirement plan with a 2% employer discretionary match.
Accident, Critical Indemnity, Hospital insurance.
Mileage reimbursements for those positions that are required to drive on CASA business.
Cell Phone stipend for those positions that are required to use their cellphone for CASA business