Supervising Attorney, Children's Protection Project, NIJC

National Immigrant Justice Center•Chicago, IL

17d•Onsite

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. Summary: NIJC seeks an energetic, visionary, and committed supervising attorney to join our Children's Protection Project in our Chicago office. The team provides legal representation and counseling to detained and non-detained unaccompanied immigrant children before U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Chicago Immigration Court. The Children's Protection Project also advocate for clients before other government administrative agencies and before other service agencies, as appropriate. In this role, the supervisor will manage a team of attorneys, paralegals, and interns ensuring high-quality legal services, support casework, and oversee intake of unaccompanied immigrant children detained in the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). The supervisor will collaborate with other teams, including management, litigation, policy, and communications.

Requirements

Ability to thrive in fast-paced environments and adapt quickly to change.
Effectively manages cases ensuring accuracy, efficiency and timely decision‑making in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment.
Stays up-to-date on current knowledge regarding immigration law and policies and procedures.
Ability to analyze the impact of laws on vulnerable populations and advocate for improved laws and policies.
Exhibits sound, independent legal judgment and the ability to work autonomously while maintaining strong collaborative relationships with teammates, supervisors and cross‑functional teams.
Demonstrates sound judgment when navigating complex, trauma-informed cases involving children, ensuring ethical decision-making and high-quality legal advocacy.
Strong oral advocacy and communication skills, with the ability to effectively represent children before immigration agencies, immigration courts, and, when appropriate, federal courts.
Adept at delivering trainings and presentations, conveying complex legal concepts to diverse audiences including legal practitioners, community partners, and impacted immigrant communities.
Demonstrates cultural awareness and actively contributes to an anti-racist, inclusive organizational culture.
Juris Doctorate; law license; three years of experience in immigration law; and experience working with detained unaccompanied immigrant children.
Fluency in spoken and written Spanish is required.
Ability to 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.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

Nice To Haves

License to practice law in Illinois is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Provide direct supervision and support to Children's Project staff attorneys, paralegals, interns and volunteers as assigned.
Collaborate with the Children's Project supervisory team to build a strong team and oversee the team's projects
Ensure timely case preparation, including case opening process, preparing filings, trial preparation, appeals, case closures, and other case management practices
Provide recommendations based on case trends to inform project-based strategic decisions
Maintain and develop strategic partnerships with key stakeholders
Conduct factual and legal research.
Provide legal representation to children in immigration proceedings, including before an immigration officer, an immigration judge, and in federal court, as appropriate.
Draft correspondence and documents, including applications, briefs and reports.
Improve delivery of legal services, including use of technology to improve efficiency
Train lawyers and non-lawyers in the field of immigration law as it relates to children.
Conduct legal presentations regarding law and case(s) to NIJC staff, stakeholders, and members of the immigrant community.
Maintain accurate, thorough and timely records.
Advance an anti-racist organization that promotes diversity, equity and inclusion