Supervising Attorney - Immigration Impact Unit

Committee for Public Counsel•Malden, MA

4d•$100,091 - $146,988•Hybrid

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 committed to protecting the fundamental constitutional and human rights of our assigned clients through zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and the fullness of excellent legal representation. 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

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.
Provide direct representation to indigent Massachusetts residents in removal proceedings.
Conduct client interviews.
Perform legal research and writing.
Analyze legal issues and develop legal strategies.
Prepare and argue motions, affidavits, and legal memoranda.
Handle bond hearings, Master Calendar Hearings and Individual hearings in removal proceedings.
Represent clients on Habeas petitions.
Advocate before the Board of Immigration Appeals.
Conduct regular one-on-one meetings with individual supervisees to review case files, as well as group meetings, to review case preparation and performance.
Provide in-court supervision, including second-seating of Individual Calendar Hearings and significant Master Calendar hearings.
Prepare annual performance evaluations.
Present in-office training sessions.
Supervise other staff, such as paralegals and student interns, as delegated by the Director.
Assist with reporting and data collection.
Respond to client, community, and staff concerns.
Perform other duties as assigned.