Special Counsel

National Immigration Law Center • Washington, DC

291d • $128,800 - $165,000

About The Position

The Special Counsel position at NILC is responsible for handling complex legal issues and projects that require specialized knowledge or focus. The Special Counsel will be an experienced litigator and advocate in the Federal Courts, with the focus on legal issues impacting the immigrant community. The Special Counsel works closely with members of the Executive and Senior Leadership Teams to advance NILC's mission, vision, strategy, and goals. They handle complex situations and multiple responsibilities simultaneously, balancing long-term priorities with the urgency of immediate demands. This role is not in the bargaining unit.

Requirements

• Education: Juris Doctorate and member in good standing of a State Bar.
• Service as Senior Counsel or Managing Attorney of non-profit organization or large governmental agency.
• Minimum of 10 years of practical legal experience working in a cross-cultural setting and environment, preferably in the not-for-profit sector.
• Minimum of 7 years experience in leading complex litigation in Federal courts.
• 5+ years of supervisory experience in the legal field, and experience managing and coaching staff across an organization.
• Skills in managing a complex and diverse workload in an organization that often works under the pressure of responding to urgent human need or institutional requirements.
• Visionary leadership to unite people for a common purpose.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate, facilitate discussion and build a consensus in a complex, sometimes siloed, environment.
• Computer literacy, including word processing, database, spreadsheet, collaboration and internet applications (Microsoft Office Suite).

Nice To Haves

• Excels at and enjoys both strategic and tactical involvement in developing legal strategies to support the NILC mission, balancing nimbleness and mitigation of risk.
• Skilled in seeing opportunities in complex legal environments.
• Excellent skills in using influence with colleagues when there is not a direct reporting relationship to the Special Counsel.
• Possess personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and commitment to the mission.
• Natural leadership, strong relationship building skills, and the ability to engage teams and build a culture of excellence.
• Strong communicator with ability to drive clarity and solutions; experience in working virtually and in person with colleagues who are remote, hybrid or in an office.
• Demonstrated resourcefulness in setting priorities and guiding investment in people and systems.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate across teams within NILC to analyze federal actions related to the invocation of the Alien Enemies Act and the Insurrection Act of 1807 and other wartime legal precedents.
• Engage in and supervise affirmative and defensive litigation in federal and state courts related to the invocation of the Alien Enemies Act, the Insurrection Act of 1807, and other related laws.
• Serve as a liaison between NILC and partner organizations.
• Collaborate with partner organizations and NILC's Legal Department on litigation related to the protection of immigrant rights at the local, state, and Federal level.
• Present at conferences and outreach events.
• Draft policy papers and other publications as needed.
• Serve as primary advisor to Leadership on NILC's strategy and response to the invocation of the Alien Enemies Act, the Insurrection Act of 1807, and other related laws.
• Draft pleadings, briefs (including amicus briefs), lead discovery, and serve as lead counsel for all specialized litigation.
• Supervise attorneys assigned in support of any specialized litigation.
• Prepare a variety of highly sensitive and/or confidential documents such as memos, reports, legal documents, and donor correspondence, to inform, secure approval, or respond to inquiries from NILC's President.
• When investigating highly complex case(s), incumbent drafts clear and concise legal memorandum discussing analysis of records, including transcription of testimony and pleadings, evaluates facts, determines questions of law, and drafts own decisions and recommendations for consideration by the President and Executive Vice President, Advocacy.
• Responsible for formulating and managing overall litigation strategy on specialized litigation, to include Advocacy departments and external partners.
• Manages and responds to urgent requests and provides legal advisory and guidance regarding specialized litigation strategies.
• Provides specific expertise, technical guidance, and assistance, as needed, to Advocacy departments.

Benefits

• Salary Range: 128,800 - 165,000
• Competitive compensation and benefits philosophy in the nonprofit sector.

What This Job Offers

• Industry: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree