Legal Services Compliance Director

CHIRLA•Los Angeles, CA

3d•$135,000 - $145,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) is seeking an experienced Legal Services Compliance Director to serve as the organization’s chief legal advisor. This role is essential for shaping the legal, strategic, and ethical direction of the agency. The Legal Services Compliance Director will ensure that all CHIRLA’s legal programs and services comply with legal requirements, manage risks, support litigation efforts, promote high-quality legal services, and mentor attorneys across departments. Additionally, the Director will work closely with the Director of the Legal Service Department, the General Counsel, and the Executive Leadership Team to provide thoughtful guidance that strengthens internal systems, enhances legal practices, and supports mission-driven decision-making.

Requirements

JD and an active membership in the California State Bar in good standing.
At least ten years of relevant legal experience with substantial experience in immigration, workers’ rights, housing, civil rights, or related public-interest fields.
Demonstrated experience supervising attorneys or managing legal teams, as well as a solid understanding of nonprofit law, compliance, and governance.
Strong analytical abilities, excellent communication and writing skills, and a deep commitment to the organization’s mission and values are essential.
Experience in working in a nonprofit legal services setting, experience with impact or federal litigation, and multilingual abilities, particularly Spanish and English, spoken by immigrant communities served by the organization.
Experience designing or implementing quality control systems.
Must have experience working with underserved and diverse populations.

Nice To Haves

Project, team, or organizational management experience plus.
Experience working at a non-profit organization.
Ability to maintain positive working relationships with staff, members, and allies.
Ability to work effectively under pressure with last-minute deadlines.
Experience collaborating with community organizations in the local geographic area.
Highly self-motivated, creative, takes initiative, can learn quickly, flexible, and able to work as part of an interdisciplinary team of legal staff.
Must be able to work efficiently and manage multiple projects at once, which may be at different stages of design and execution.
Self-motivated – proven ability to work independently and open to being innovative and creative
Dedication and ability to work flexible hours.
Ability to plan and prioritize work activities, meet deadlines, and follow up on assignments with minimal direction.
Excellent problem-solving and follow-through skills.
Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
Strong commitment to CHIRLA’s mission of empowering low-income community groups and immigrants.
Support CHIRLA’s fundraising goals, including the annual fundraising drive and GALA activities

Responsibilities

Provide comprehensive legal oversight for the organization, offering counsel to Leadership, Department Directors, and the Board on matters involving nonprofit governance, employment issues, contracts, policies, privacy, and regulatory requirements.
Maintain and update policies and protocols that support ethical practice, legal compliance, and organizational accountability.
Ensure that all service areas, particularly immigration, workers’ rights, and housing, operate in accordance with relevant laws, professional standards, and agency expectations.
Support the legal programs through substantive expertise and quality control.
Review complex casework, provide feedback on legal strategies, and assist departments in developing practices that ensure consistent, high-quality representation.
Lead and support internal audits and quality-assurance initiatives and oversee the review of legal documents and filings when needed.
Contribute to litigation strategies across the organization, including the impact of litigation, class actions, administrative proceedings, and other system-changing legal efforts. This may include co-counseling, advising case development, collaborating with partner organizations, or coordinating with external counsel to advance major litigation initiatives.
Ensure that all litigation activities adhere to professional responsibility rules and align with the organization’s broader mission and priorities.
Provide staff development and mentorship guidance to the Department Director, Managing Director, Supervising Attorney, and Staff Attorneys to help them navigate complex legal questions, ethical issues, and emerging legal developments.
Provide training, facilitating learning opportunities, and fostering a culture of collaboration, excellence, and accountability across the legal teams.
Manage the organization’s contracting and risk-management needs. This includes reviewing and negotiating contracts, memorandum of understanding, settlement agreements, and vendor or consultant agreements, as well as ensuring compliance with grant and government-contract requirements.