Senior Litigation Attorney II

National Immigrant Justice Center • Washington, DC

17d

About The Position

The National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) advances human rights and due process for immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers through direct legal services, impact litigation, advocacy, and public education. Headquartered in Chicago with offices in Washington, DC, Indiana, and San Diego, NIJC's team of 100 attorneys, paralegals, and professionals, along with 2,000 pro bono attorneys, is at the forefront of immigration reform.
Our senior litigation attorney is a full-time positionf, based in Washington DC and focuses on federal-court litigation. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in litigation, including federal litigation, and demonstrate a commitment to immigrant and civil rights. This role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to innovative litigation and policy advocacy within the federal courts, including both district courts and courts of appeal. Applicants must have at least 3 years' experience, but the ideal candidate would have substantially more experience.

Requirements

• A law degree (JD), license to practice law and at least 3 years' experience in the legal field, preferably in the field of federal court practice, immigration removal defense, or a combination of the two.
• Fluency in English is required.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated competency in public speaking and strong interpersonal skills required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Windows operating systems.
• Solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time.
• The person in this position occasionally needs to move about the inside of the office to access filing cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a copy machine.

Nice To Haves

• Fluency in Spanish is strongly encouraged but not required.
• Applicants with significantly more experience are encouraged to apply, and total years of relevant experience will be considered as part of the final salary determination.

Responsibilities

• Conduct legal research and analysis to support litigation efforts.
• Draft pleadings, briefs, motions, and other legal documents.
• Manage discovery processes, motion practice, and trial preparation.
• Represent clients in trials and appeals in both state and federal courts.
• Serve as lead counsel or co-lead counsel on complex litigation cases, including class action lawsuits and systemic reform cases.
• Develop and implement effective advocacy strategies in identified areas of focus.
• As necessary, provide immigration-court level representation in relevant litigation matters, such as representing a named plaintiff in a district court action tied to their immigration case.
• Collaborate with the organization's direct service, policy, and communications teams to ensure integrated advocacy efforts.
• Work with pro bono attorneys and other nonprofit organizations to further the efforts of various litigation matters and to advance the organization's mission and goals.

What This Job Offers

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