Managing Attorney

International Rescue Committee•New York, NY

7d•$95,000 - $109,000

About The Position

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future. JOB OVERVIEW: The Managing Attorney will oversee immigration legal services at IRC-NY, including (1) the NY Pro Se Assistance Program, which provides comprehensive legal consultations, immigration court preparation, asylum application support, and other pro se filing assistance to individuals in removal proceedings; as well as (2) IRC’s longstanding immigration legal services program, which provides low-cost immigration legal services to refugees, immigrants and other community members seeking family reunification, adjustment of status, naturalization, and other immigration benefits before USCIS. The Managing Attorney will bring not only legal expertise and a passion for this area of work, but also the ability to motivate and mentor a team of legal professionals in a dynamic and fast-paced environment. The position will work in close collaboration with a range of community partners, local IRC-NY leadership, and the Legal Services Technical Unit (TU) at IRC’s headquarters, which oversees IRC’s 24 legal service programs across the US, including four offices that have removal defense programs. The Managing Attorney will strategize on funding for sustainable legal services and bring enthusiasm and vision for shaping legal program design.

Requirements

Law degree (JD or LLM) from an ABA-accredited U.S. institution and member in good standing of any state bar
Minimum 5 to 7 years’ experience providing direct representation to refugees and other humanitarian migrants in affirmative applications such as adjustment of status, naturalization, family petitions, and consular processing; experience representing asylum seekers before the immigration court and the Board of Immigration Appeals.
At least 2 years of experience providing supervision to attorneys and/or DOJ accredited representatives in a legal services context.
Strong legal supervision skills and superb legal judgment
Ability to oversee and provide supervision on a reasonably high case volume and work under time pressure
Experience organizing and facilitating immigration workshops and immigration information sessions
Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills
Collaborative leader who will thrive on working in partnership with local leadership and the HQ Legal Services Technical Unit.
Deep commitment to working with humanitarian immigrants
Trauma-informed and sensitive listening and communication skills
Desire to join a team working to protect due process and immigrant rights
Must have ability to travel frequently in and around the service area to engage with clients and community partners.

Nice To Haves

Program management experience preferred.
Fundraising experience preferred.
Bilingual in one or more languages preferred (eg, Spanish, French, Arabic).

Responsibilities

Oversee legal strategy through daily direct supervision of a team of legal practitioners, including attorneys and Department of Justice-accredited representative.
Employ adaptive management techniques to provide regular individual supervision and support; mentor staff, set clear performance expectations and goals, give regular performance feedback, help prioritize workloads, help troubleshoot challenges, and maintain appropriate professional development plans.
Develop and monitor intake procedures, case acceptance policies, and caseload targets and limits.
Provide direct legal representation to a limited caseload of clients before USCIS, including on complex cases.
Actively co-facilitate and support grant opening, grant review, and grant closing meetings, and lead all aspects of grant cycle, including developing/implementing monitoring & evaluation plans.
Ensure program data is collected consistently, managed appropriately and reported timely, using IRC’s legal case management database and other relevant case management systems.
Ensure effective integration of internships and volunteers within programs.
Collaborate and work effectively with other IRC program areas, as appropriate, to ensure client-centered services, in furtherance of IRC’s mission.
Establish, maintain, and periodically refresh legal services program policies and procedures in collaboration with IRC’s Legal Services Technical Unit; oversee and/or conduct regular case file reviews (paper files and/or electronic case files) to ensure compliance with legal case management procedures.
Create and maintain a viable outreach strategy to cultivate and maintain strong relationships with community-based organizations, the private bar, and nonprofit legal providers; pursue program initiatives with partners that further goals and address unmet demand.
Work closely with the HQ Legal Services Technical Unit and field offices as part of IRC’s immigration legal services network.
Serve as a strong advocate for humanitarian immigrants.

Benefits

10 sick days
10 US holidays
20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure
medical insurance starting at $163 per month
dental starting at $6.50 per month
vision starting at $5 per month
FSA for healthcare and commuter costs
a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching
disability & life insurance
an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.