Managing Attorney
Job Responsibilities
The Managing Attorney will oversee the provision of immigration legal services by attorneys and DOJ-accredited representatives in Northern California, specifically in the cities of Sacramento, Oakland, and Turlock. The services include asylum, removal defense, and low-cost legal assistance for refugees, immigrants, and other community members seeking immigration benefits such as adjustment of status, family reunification, and naturalization. The Managing Attorney will collaborate closely with the Senior Immigration Program Manager to strategize and secure funding for legal services in the region.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading legal strategy through daily direct supervision of legal practitioners, including attorneys and DOJ-accredited representatives.
- Employing adaptive management techniques to provide regular supervision and support, mentoring staff, setting performance expectations, providing feedback, prioritizing workloads, and maintaining professional development plans.
- Developing and monitoring intake procedures, case acceptance policies, and caseload targets and limits.
- Providing direct legal representation to a limited caseload of individuals in immigration court, before the Board of Immigration Appeals, and/or before USCIS.
- Co-facilitating and supporting grant-related activities, including opening, reviewing, and closing of grants, and overseeing all aspects of the grant cycle.
- Ensuring consistent data collection, appropriate management, and timely reporting using IRC’s legal case management database and other systems.
- Integrating internships and volunteers effectively within programs.
- Collaborating with other IRC program areas to ensure client-centered service.
- Establishing, maintaining, and periodically refreshing legal services program policies and procedures in collaboration with IRC’s Legal Services Technical Unit.
- Conducting regular case file reviews to ensure compliance with legal case management procedures.
- Creating and maintaining an outreach strategy to build relationships with community-based organizations, the private bar, and nonprofit legal providers.
- Serving as an in-house expert on US immigration law, updating internal colleagues on changes affecting IRC’s clients.
- Serving on the Senior Management Team/Leadership Team and contributing to the office-wide Strategic Action Plan.
- Advocating strongly for humanitarian immigrants.
Education and Experience Information
Candidates must possess a law degree (JD or LLM) from an ABA-accredited . institution and be a member in good standing of any state bar. They should have a minimum of 5 years’ experience providing direct representation in immigration court and before USCIS to asylum applicants and other immigrants seeking relief from removal. Additionally, at least 2 years of experience in supervising attorneys and/or DOJ-accredited representatives in a legal services context is required. Program management experience is preferred.
The candidate should have experience with affirmative applications before USCIS, such as adjustment of status, naturalization, and I-130s. Strong legal supervision skills and superb legal judgment are essential. The ability to oversee and provide supervision on a high case volume and work under time pressure is necessary. Experience in organizing and facilitating immigration workshops and information sessions is also required. Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills are a must, and being bilingual in languages such as Spanish, French, or Arabic is preferred. A deep commitment to working with humanitarian immigrants is essential, along with trauma-informed and sensitive listening and communication skills. The candidate should have a desire to work in a team dedicated to protecting due process and immigrant rights and must be able to travel frequently within the service area to engage with clients and community partners.
Salary Information
The salary range for the position is between $95, and $120, annually, in United States Dollars. Compensation is determined based on various factors, including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience, and skills relative to the defined job requirements.
Additional Information
The organization is an Equal Opportunity Employer, considering all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. The US benefits package includes 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, and comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance options. Employees also have access to a 403b retirement savings plan with immediately vested matching, disability and life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program for counseling and support during crises and mental health struggles.
Standard of Professional Conduct
The organization and its workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – the Code of Conduct, which emphasizes Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.
