Managing Attorney - Immigration Practice Group

Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio • Columbus, OH

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio (LASCO) is seeking an experienced attorney to lead its Immigration Practice Group. The organization's mission is to provide civil legal aid and advocacy to address systemic issues, reduce poverty, and increase opportunity for low-income Ohioans. The Immigration Managing Attorney will provide leadership to supervisors, attorneys, and paralegals, focusing on impact representation, litigation planning, strategy, community education, and funding identification. This role involves collaborating with the leadership team to balance individual client needs with the pursuit of broader systemic change.

Requirements

• Demonstrated progressive experience practicing law in a variety of substantive areas and specific expertise in the areas of Immigration Law
• Comprehensive legal skills with a proven record of performance and achievement
• Prior immigration poverty law, either in your career or outside participation, such as a task force, service on a board or committee, etc.
• Ability to work within and understand grant compliance and program regulations
• High ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment
• Demonstrated ability to successfully lead, manage and develop a diverse team of professionals
• Excellent communication skills, both orally and written, with diverse audiences
• Ability to facilitate collaboration as well as build and sustain productive relationships with diverse individuals, groups and organizations
• A commitment to access for all people with a wide variety of lived experiences both internally and externally
• Strong work ethic with an ability to connect big picture ideas to day-to-day work
• Ability to prioritize workload to manage time and tasks and delegate responsibilities in an effective and efficient manner
• High ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion
• Proficiency in Microsoft applications, knowledge of current technologies and commitment to remain up to date with industry best practices
• English language proficiency is essential
• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school and admitted to the Bar of the State of Ohio (or if not currently admitted, eligible to waive in) required

Nice To Haves

• Spanish/English bilingual skills are strongly preferred.
• Additional languages – even better
• Prior Legal Aid or related work experience a plus, but not required

Responsibilities

• Manage and support the practice group including attorneys with a wide range of skills and experiences in the areas of immigration and other similar substantive areas of law
• Lead and support all functions related to legal advocacy ranging from intake to the representation of clients before local, state, appellate and federal courts, and all relevant agencies
• Maintain a caseload that includes both direct service and impact work
• Represent clients with language access issues and with immigration issues including T&U visas, VAWA and family petitions, naturalization and citizenship applications.
• Develop, implement and participate in active strategic involvement in the local community including legal education, outreach activities, clinics and other community events to positively impact client communities
• Collaborate with other legal services attorneys on statewide advocacy
• Promote community relations and build community relationships by engaging with the public and partner service providers
• Develop and maintain local bar/bench relationships, relationships with local legislators and other community leaders
• Remain current on emerging legal topics and identify relevant trends related to Immigration Law
• Participate in a community of collaborative and mission driven professionals
• Facilitate professional development of attorneys across practice groups
• Lead the Immigration Law Practice Group’s meaningful contributions to the organization’s Racial Equity Advocacy Plan
• Co-counsel, when appropriate as well as determine other methods of effectively supporting attorneys’ success in and out of the courtroom
• Collaborate with across departments to assist with applications and reports and for funding sources and government agencies

Benefits

• employer funded HRA (up to $12,000)
• employer-paid employee dental and vision insurance
• a language skills differential ($2,500-$3,500 annually)
• paid vacation, sick and holiday time
• LRAP eligibility
• ongoing training and development opportunities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree