Managing Attorney

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IRC - The International Rescue Committee

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Job Description

The IRC is a leading nonsectarian, voluntary organization that helps people whose lives have been shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. Founded in 1933, the IRC is at work today in more than 40 countries and in 28 U.S. cities. The IRC’s Resettlement, Asylum, and Integration (RAI) portfolio creates opportunities for refugees and other vulnerable migrants to find safety and thrive in the U.S. RAI serves nearly 50,000 people each year through a diverse array of programs that aim to realize positive impact in clients’ safety, health, education, economic wellbeing, and power.

The IRC in Denver’s approach is client-centered, empowerment-focused, trauma-informed, and multigenerational. Advancing racial equity and narrowing the gender gap are priorities for the IRC in Denver. The team’s efforts in this space are ongoing and evolving. Current work is focused on participating in learning and dialogue to deepen understanding and awareness of systemic inequities and systems of oppression; building an internal organizational culture that reflects a commitment to antiracism and gender equality for clients as well as staff, volunteers, and the broader community; engaging clients more deeply in making decisions that affect them, whether at the individual, household, program, or organizational level; using our power and influence to advocate for rules, policies, and laws that address inequities experienced by the people we serve and seek systemic change for the benefit of all who are impacted by these inequities; undertaking intentional efforts to shift dynamics and promote power sharing between leadership and the broader team as well as between staff and clients; and examining and changing practices in recruitment, recognition, and other areas of employee engagement and talent development to prioritize access to opportunity and work toward full inclusion and belonging for clients, staff, and volunteers who identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and LGBTQI, as well as those who have lived experience as refugees and immigrants.

IRC in Denver seeks a Managing Attorney for its immigration legal services programs, focusing on refugees, asylees, asylum seekers, Afghan parolees, and other forcibly displaced people. Since 2018, the office has provided legal services in-house and through a pro bono network to non-detained, indigent asylum seekers, primarily torture survivors, whether in affirmative or defensive posture. IRC in Denver also provides immigration services to clients in adjustment of status, family reunification, naturalization and other applications before US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

JOB OVERVIEW The Managing Attorney will work closely with the Legal Program Director to oversee the provision of immigration legal services at the IRC in Denver. This includes representation in affirmative and defense asylum proceedings for torture survivors and other non-detained people in need of legal representation, as well as low-cost immigration legal services to refugees, immigrants and other community members in their family reunification, adjustment of status and naturalization applications before USCIS.

The Managing Attorney will bring not only legal expertise and a passion for this area of work, but also the ability to motivate and mentor a team of legal professionals in a dynamic and fast-paced environment. The position will work in close collaboration with a range of community partners and the Immigration Technical Unit (TU) at IRC’s headquarters, which oversees IRC’s 24 legal service programs across the US, including four offices that have removal defense programs. This position will also engage with the IRC in Denver’s growing network of pro bono attorneys, supporting efforts to recruit, train, mentor, and match them with clients needing legal representation.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES Major responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Direct Service and Case Supervision - Oversee legal strategy through daily direct supervision of a team of legal practitioners, which currently include a Department of Justice-accredited representatives and immigration legal assistants. - Employ adaptive management techniques to provide regular individual supervision and support; mentor staff, set clear performance expectations and goals, give regular performance feedback, help prioritize workloads, help troubleshoot challenges, and maintain appropriate professional development plans - Develop and monitor intake procedures, case acceptance policies, and caseload targets and limits. - Provide direct legal representation to individuals in immigration court, before the Board of Immigration Appeals, and/or before USCIS where applicable, including on applications for asylum, relief under the Convention Against Torture and withholding of removal, U-visas, T-visas, and adjustment of status. - Participate in designing and presenting training and other events to recruit pro bono attorneys and deepen their capacity to represent IRC clients. - Serve as an in-house expert on U.S. immigration law by updating internal IRC colleagues and pro bono attorneys on changes in immigration law affecting IRC’s clients as needed.

Program Strategy and Management - Ensure program data is collected consistently, managed appropriately, and reported timely, using IRC’s legal case management database and other relevant case management systems. - Establish, maintain, and periodically refresh legal services program policies and procedures in collaboration with IRC’s Immigration Technical Unit; oversee and/or conduct regular case file reviews (paper files and electronic case files) to ensure compliance with legal case management procedures. - Create and maintain a viable outreach strategy to cultivate and maintain strong relationships with community-based organizations, the private bar, and nonprofit legal providers; pursue program initiatives with partners that further goals and address unmet demand. - Collaborate with other IRC program areas as appropriate to ensure client-centered service, including but not limited to the Survivor Wellness Center clinical team. - Ensure effective integration of interns and volunteers within programs.

Other - Serve on Senior Management Team and work effectively across programs to further IRC’s mission. Contribute to and support office-wide Strategic Action Plan. - Work closely with the HQ Immigration Technical Unit and field offices as part of IRC’s immigration network. - Serve as a strong advocate for humanitarian immigrants. - Other duties as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS - Law degree (JD or LLM) from an ABA-accredited U.S. institution and admission to any state bar. - At least three years’ experience or more providing direct representation in immigration court and before USCIS to asylum applicants and other immigrants seeking relief from removal. - Experience with affirmative applications before USCIS (e.g., adjustment of status, naturalization, I-130s) required. - Strong legal supervision skills and superb legal judgment. - Ability to oversee and provide supervision on a reasonably high case volume and work under time pressure. - Experience organizing and facilitating immigration workshops and immigration information sessions. - Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, demonstrating, emotional intelligence, tact, and situational awareness. - Bilingual in one or more languages of the survivor population preferred (e.g., Spanish, French, Arabic). - Deep commitment to working with humanitarian immigrants. - Trauma-informed and sensitive listening and communication skills. - Desire to join a team working to protect due process and immigrant rights. - Highly adaptable and flexible self-starter with ability to work independently as well as collaborate with others, juggle multiple priorities, and meet deadlines in a demanding work environment. - Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint). Experience with legal case management software desired. - Must have a valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle, active insurance policy and ability to travel frequently in and around the service area to engage with clients and community partners.

COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENT In accordance with IRC’s duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards and our commitment to safeguard the health of our employees, clients, and communities, IRC requires candidates who are selected for interview to furnish proof of vaccination against COVID-19 to be considered for this position.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT - At present, the IRC in Denver office is partially open. Hybrid remote/in-person work modifications are in place due to ensure staff and client safety given public health guidance related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff will be provided with IRC laptops and cell phones and must have access to a location with secure internet service where remote work can be performed according to the hybrid work schedule negotiated with their supervisor. - Standard office environment with frequent travel in and around the Denver metro area to facilitate service delivery, build community relationships, and engage with clients and community partners. - All staff are required to adhere to IRC’s COVID risk mitigation policies, which include but are not limited to masking, physical distancing, enhanced hygiene practices, symptom screening, and isolation and quarantine as needed. In some cases, these policies may be stricter than those imposed at the federal, state, or local level. - The IRC in Denver strives to offer a positive working environment, with intentional efforts to ensure that it is diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible for all. Staff are required to adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates under policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Respect at Work, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS This position is a full-time, regular, position scheduled at 37.5 hours per week, classified as exempt and ineligible for overtime, with a starting annual salary of $70,000 depending on qualifications and experience. As a regular, full-time employee, the Managing Attorney is eligible for the IRC’s phenomenal benefits package, which includes: - Generous paid time off with 20 days of paid vacation per year, 10 days of paid sick leave per year (not inclusive of paid COVID leave), and at least 9 paid holidays per year. - Outstanding medical, dental, and vision care benefits with low employee premiums. - Optional health care and dependent care flexible savings accounts and commuter benefits. - Life, accident, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance. - Comprehensive parental and family leave benefits. - A 403(b) retirement savings plan that offers employer contributions and a matching contribution program. - A comprehensive employee assistance and resilience program. - Business travel medical insurance, access to Guardian Nurses, and more.

In addition, the IRC in Denver actively promotes learning and growth for its team members, through staff development accounts that allow staff to engage in individualized goal-aligned professional development, access to a range of talent development offerings to build skills in a wide array of areas from humanitarian principles to management skills, and opportunities to lead and engage with colleagues from across the IRC through communities of practice, special assignments, and designated roles that represent the Denver office, whether here in the U.S. or globally.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and we value diversity in our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us at [email protected] to request accommodation.

Qualifications

Added 2 years ago - Updated 11 months ago - Source: rescue.org