Supervising Attorney - Immigration Impact Unit

Committee for Public Counsel Services•Malden, MA

About The Position

The Immigration Impact Unit of the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), the public defender agency of Massachusetts, is seeking an experienced attorney to fill the position of Supervising Attorney as part of the Massachusetts Access to Counsel Initiative (MACI). Under the direction of the Unit’s Director, the Supervising Attorney will supervise Staff Attorneys and will also provide direct representation to indigent Massachusetts residents in removal proceedings. CPCS is dedicated to building and maintaining strong professional relationships, while striving to accept, listen to and respect the diverse circumstances of each client, as we dedicate ourselves to meeting their individual needs. The Massachusetts Access to Counsel Initiative (MACI) office located within the IIU is a new legal services program for immigration representation that will embrace the tenets of public defense and universal representation to provide zealous, holistic, and client centered representation. The MACI-IIU office provides full-scope representation to people in removal proceedings, both detained and non-detained. The office will set standards of practice and create training to increase the capacity for removal defense representation within Massachusetts.

Requirements

Must be eligible to practice law either as a member of the Massachusetts bar in good standing or as a member in good standing of the bar of another jurisdiction and be qualified to practice federal immigration law
A minimum of five years of experience providing immigration representation
Access to an automobile in order to travel to courts, clients, and detention centers that are not easily accessible by public transportation
Access to home internet access sufficient to work remotely

Nice To Haves

Significant litigation experience as lead counsel in immigration removal proceedings
Commitment to working with a culturally diverse, low-income population
Comprehensive knowledge of immigration law
Experience supervising and mentoring attorneys and other staff
Willingness and ability to work positively and collaboratively with both the Director and Supervisees
Excellent writing, analytical, and organizational skills
Excellent interpersonal communication skills
A demonstrated commitment to the principle of zealous advocacy in the representation of indigent persons
Ability and commitment to complete annual performance evaluations in a timely and comprehensive manner
Strong interpersonal and analytical skills
Ability to work in community and defense-oriented capacity, both independently and collaboratively
Foreign language skills are desirable

Responsibilities

Supervise Staff Attorneys assigned to represent Massachusetts residents in detained removal proceedings in addition to their case responsibilities.
Supervise new Staff Attorneys as well as experienced Staff Attorneys practicing in immigration removal proceedings.
Client interviews
Legal research and writing
Analyzing legal issues and developing legal strategies
Preparing and arguing motions, affidavits, and legal memoranda
Bond hearings, Master Calendar Hearings and Individual hearings in removal proceedings.
Representation on Habeas petitions
Advocacy before the Board of Immigration Appeals
Regular one-on-one meetings with individual supervisees to review case files, as well as group meetings, to review case preparation and performance
In-court supervision, including second-seating of Individual Calendar Hearings and significant Master Calendar hearings
Preparation of annual performance evaluations
Presentation of in-office training sessions
Supervision of other staff, such as paralegals and student interns, as delegated by the Director
Assisting with reporting and data collection
Responding to client, community, and staff concerns
Other duties as assigned