Senior Legal Representative

Job Description

Job Overview:

The Senior Legal Representative, Immigration, who is either accredited by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) through IRC or is an attorney admitted to any state bar to represent clients in immigration matters before United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), is responsible for the day-to-day oversight of immigration legal services provided by DOJ accredited representatives as well as interns. The Senior Legal Representative ensures high-quality legal services are provided to all clients, lead all aspects of case selection and technical assistance; drafts high quality donor reports, oversees and ensures high-quality data tracking.

Major Responsibilities:

Direct Client Services

· Maintain a limited caseload of family reunification, adjustment of status, and naturalization cases, CAM-AOR.

· Stay apprised of immigration law and standard methodologies, and maintain DOJ accreditation or admission to the bar by attending and keeping records of continuing legal education training and credits.

· Maintain strict client confidentiality and observe all ethical practices/obligations as outlined in IRC’s Immigration Program Policies Manual.

Program and Staff Supervision

· Provide daily direct supervision to Legal Representatives and/or Legal Assistants employing 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.

· Ensure all cases have high-quality legal review and that clients are counseled appropriately on their immigration options and potential risks and consequences of applying for certain immigration benefits.

· Ensure immigration staff adhere to the IRC Immigration Program Policies Manual, including through regular mentorship, direct observations of key client service activities (e.g., client intakes), and by ensuring staff receive frequent, ongoing relevant (internal and external) legal training, including on legal ethics, and have the most up-to-date guidance regarding immigration adjudication trends and policies.

· Ensure all staff, interns and volunteers have a clear understanding of what activities constitute the unauthorized practice of law and how these boundaries should be applied in IRC’s legal service model.

· Develop and monitor case acceptance policies and caseload targets and limits.

· Promote and develop a high functioning, collaborative team and ensure effective integration of internships and volunteers within programs; collaborate with other IRC program areas as appropriate to ensure client-centered service.

· Actively co-facilitate and support grant opening, grant review, and grant closing meetings, and lead all aspects of grant cycle, including developing/implementing monitoring & evaluation plans.

· Conduct regular internal case file reviews (paper files and electronic case files) to ensure compliance with IRC Immigration Program Policies as well as any donor requirements.

· Develop/maintain effective quality assurance systems and processes for course correction.

· Be the primary liaison with the Immigration HQ Technical Unit for caseload and ongoing legal work, including participating in regular calls and trainings.

Data Management & Reporting

· Ensure accurate and timely completion of all program reports as required by funding sources, headquarters, and other partners.

· Track monthly and quarterly performance using ETO, and ensure all client work is documented in ETO.

Community Outreach

· Represent IRC at immigration-related meetings and events in the community; including by giving presentations.

· Assist with outreach strategy as necessary.

Job Requirements:

· Undergraduate degree required. Graduate or law degree (JD or LLM from an ABA-accredited U.S. institution) preferred.

· At least 3 years of professional experience representing individuals before USCIS.

· At least 1 year of experience supervising staff; experience supervising interns may be considered.

· Excellent English written and oral communication skills, including presentation skills.

· Proficiency in another language strongly preferred.

· Ability and passion to train staff with less experience on immigration legal issues.

· Proven understanding of legal ethics standards and ability to instruct others on core principles of legal professional conduct.

· Excellent organizational and time management skills

· Ability to be flexible and work well under pressure in a fast-paced team environment.

· Previous multi-cultural experience and proven ability to communicate well with people from diverse backgrounds strongly preferred.

Certificates or Licenses:

· Department of Justice accreditation with the IRC required or admission to any state bar.

Working Environment:

· Standard office environment with occasional participation in community outreach and legal assistance events.

· May require occasional weekend and/or evening work.

The IRC and IRC workers must 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 and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

We're an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

#LI_GR1

Qualifications