Legal Services Director - Refugee and Immigra

About the Role:

We are seeking a highly qualified Legal Services Director to lead our Refugee and Immigration department. As the Legal Services Director, you will manage the daily operations of a non-profit immigration legal services department which includes direct representation, legal orientation for those in removal proceedings and legal response to emerging humanitarian issues Supervise casework of attorneys and Department of Justice (DOJ) accredited representatives.  Oversee the management of federally funded immigration court orientation programs.  Train and mentor immigration legal services staff.  Oversee all administrative aspects of program.  Lead efforts to respond to emerging situations such as changes in legal policy or practice or demographic changes in local community. Grow and sustain, both personnel and fiscal aspects of the legal services department. Develop and oversee community outreach and educational activities related to immigration law and policy. Develop and continuously review overall strategy/ goals for legal department. 

Qualifications:

• Authorized to practice law.  Admitted in any state, preferably Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 
• Six to eight years experience in the practice of immigration law; humanitarian and family-based immigration law experience required. 
• Minimum four years supervisory experience of attorneys and/or DOJ accredited representatives, preferably in nonprofit legal setting. Strong leadership skills. 
• Sensitivity and trauma informed approach to serving clients is necessary.  
• Ability to establish and maintain a positive and professional relationship with co-workers, clients, and community service providers.   
• Cultural responsiveness, commitment to racial justice, and ability to relate well and effectively in a multicultural and multilingual workplace with diverse client population is required.   
• Strong legal writing and communication skills.  
• Excellent administrative, data collection, typing and computer skills with keen attention to detail.  Computer proficiency with MS Office, e-learning and webinars, and experience with database systems.  
• Experience with virtual communication and meeting tools such as Zoom, WhatsApp, WebEx and Microsoft Teams. 
• Pleasant telephone skills and thoughtful demeanor towards others.  
• Must have U.S. driver’s license and reliable vehicle or access to reliable public transportation for work related travel.  

Responsibilities:

• Ensure that the activities of this position and relevant programs are consistent with the mission, vision, and values of the Catholic Charitable Bureau Archdiocese of Boston and Refugee and Immigrant Services.  
• Maintain professional boundaries and ensure the confidentiality and privacy of all client information at all times. 
• Manage overall caseload.  Oversee case selection and mix, ensure proper balance of complex and less complex cases.  Allocate cases to staff and determine representation strategies.   
• Ensure fee schedule is reviewed annually and documented.  Track fee collection and keep accurate records for finance review.  Follow set standards for approving client fee waivers and report quarterly on number of fees waived. 
• Develop, in consultation with VP of RIS, realistic fee goals for individual staff and department, track and report on performance toward goals.  
• Provide coverage during staffing fluctuations 
• Oversee all aspects of Department of Justice Office of Legal Assistance programs, including Legal Orientation Program for Custodians, Immigration Court Helpdesk and Family Group Orientation Program. 
• Hire and train employee(s) according to program needs and agency requirements.   
• Supervise employee performance and provide feedback, coach and provide performance improvement plans as needed.   
• Meet with and communicate regularly with employee(s) to ensure expected performance is met.  Oversee casework, give guidance on legal strategies and promote professional development through training and practice.  
• Prepare annual performance appraisals and meet with employee(s) on an annual basis to review performance and submit appraisals and (as relevant) merit increase forms by deadline. Identify growth opportunities for ILS staff by mentoring staff and supporting professional development and career goals and ongoing learning. 
• Conduct weekly or biweekly department staff meetings that are participatory and substantive.   
• Train new attorneys and DOJ accredited representatives.  Provide staff with opportunities for ongoing legal education through webinars, on-site training or e-learning. 
• Review administrative policies and procedures on annual basis and make adjustments as needed during the year.  Utilize program assessment and monitoring tools from CLINIC to evaluate operational practices and make changes as warranted. 
• Ensure Department of Justice EOIR program recognition and accreditation for staff is current and handle all applications for renewal/re-recognition.   
• Encourage paralegals to become partial or fully accredited representatives.  
• Assess program need for unpaid volunteers including law students and pro bono attorneys. As appropriate assign pro bono or law student to staff attorneys or DOJ accredited representatives.   
• Evaluate capacity to participate in, manage and supervise AmeriCorps paralegals.  
• Train, coordinate and supervise volunteers or unpaid interns including pro bono attorneys and law school interns based on program need.   
• Prioritize consultation and representation of clients already being served in other RIS programs (e.g. refugees, parolees, migrant children).   
• Utilize immigration program management software, currently LawLogix Edge.  Serve as point person with software vendor.  Maintain policies and procedures for proper data input.  Analyze data for purpose of ensuring effective program management, including review of fee generation and case mix, to determine appropriateness and lead effort to correct/revise as needed.  Monitor staff usage of software.   
• Ensure client data from immigration software is routinely migrated to agency database, DataCCAB, and respond to requests for data and performance reports.   
• In collaboration with RIS leadership team identify priorities of program and oversee implementation of the same. 
• Represent Catholic Charities ILS at local and regional stakeholder meetings such as Immigration Coalition, USCIS District, ICE/ERO regional meetings.  Participate in local or national working groups as relevant.   
• Develop and oversee outreach and educational activities for immigrants or community partners when there are major changes to immigration policy or laws. 
• As relevant, collaborate with other legal non-profit agencies to organize and operate group processing workshops to respond to large scale changes immigration laws.   
• Participate in strategic planning efforts for agency, statewide, and national initiatives related to immigrants and immigration policy. Identify advocacy and impact litigation opportunities in line with ILS goals. 
• Work is performed in the office and in a virtual/remote environment with prior approval.  Sitting and standing for extended periods. The use of phones, keyboards, other office equipment and written documentation is required. The use of personal protective equipment is required as directed. 
• Local travel to effectively perform the essential functions of the position.  
• Other related responsibilities as assigned.  

Skills:

As the Legal Services Director, you will be using your legal expertise and leadership skills on a daily basis. You will be responsible for managing a team of lawyers and legal assistants, ensuring that they are providing the best possible legal services to our clients. You will also be responsible for developing and implementing policies and procedures to ensure the efficient and effective delivery of legal services. Your excellent communication and interpersonal skills will be essential in collaborating with other departments to ensure that our clients receive comprehensive support. Additionally, your fluency in a second language and experience working with non-profit organizations and vulnerable populations will be beneficial in this role.

Our benefits are competitive and include a 403(b) savings plan and generous time off. 

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

 Visit us at: www.ccab.org.