Senior Policy & Practice Associate or Policy & Practice Counsel

We Are

Headquartered in downtown, Washington, DC, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) is an organization comprised of over 16,000 individual attorney members who practice and teach immigration law. For our members, we provide continuing legal education, information, advocacy, professional services, and expertise.  Founded in 1946, AILA's mission is to promote justice, advocate for fair and reasonable immigration law and policy, advance the quality of immigration and nationality law and practice, and enhance the professional development of its members. 

The Government Relations (GR) team advocates for immigration-related legislative, regulatory, and policy reforms before Congress and the executive branch, consistent with AILA’s principles and priorities. The GR team tracks the development of law, policy and practice and prepares and shares resources and information with AILA members. 

The Role

The Senior Policy and Practice Associate or Counsel (reserved for candidates with a J.D.) will advance AILA’s administrative, congressional, and overall advocacy goals. The Senior Policy and Practice Associate or Policy Counsel tracks trends and developments in substantive immigration law and policy. The Senior Policy and Practice Associate or Counsel contributes significantly to AILA’s written work product by drafting and editing policy documents, practice pointers, bill text, legislative analysis, analysis of regulations, blogs, web updates, and communications to AILA members and target audiences. This work will be done in coordination with AILA member committees which the position will be responsible for managing.  The Policy and Practice Associate or Counsel represents AILA before Congress and with the Administration. This position will focus on benefits immigration issues, including consular issues, employment-based, family-sponsored, and humanitarian issues.
 

Essential Job Functions

Policy and Legal Analysis - 30% 

• Monitors, evaluates, drafts, and develops written analysis and advocacy materials on proposed legislation, regulations, and policies on selected issues.? 
• Works with staff, AILA elected leadership, and AILA committees to identify emerging issues and trends in policy and practices.? 
• Shapes AILA's policy positions and makes recommendations on key priorities.? 

Information Sharing and Education - 25% 

• Drafts and designs products to maximize AILA's impact on target audiences, including legislative and policy analysis, practice materials, and other products.? 
• Works with relevant AILA teams to produce materials.? 
• Educates through various mediums including conferences, webinars, public events, media interviews, and social media. 

Congressional and Administrative Advocacy - 20% 

• Represents AILA in advocacy with Congress and government agencies. 
• Participates in the development of AILA agendas for agency meetings and manages and participates in those meetings.? 

Staff Resource to AILA Committees and Membership - 15% 

• Supports, tracks, and guides the work of AILA’s subject matter expert committees and national committees that engage in formal liaison with the government.? 
• Serves as a resource on policy and legislative matters for AILA members.? 
• Supports the department’s grassroots and membership engagement efforts. 

Coalition and Partnerships - 10% 

• Represents AILA in national or regional coalitions and campaign efforts.? 
• Cultivates relations and alliances with organizations that share common advocacy and policy aims.? 

• J.D. or master’s in public policy or related field
• J.D. and bar admission preferred  
• Three to five (3-5) years of immigration policy and/or general immigration law practice experience, with an emphasis on benefits immigration issues, including consular issues, employment-based, family-sponsored, and/or humanitarian issues 
• Experience working with administrative agencies, Congress or state legislatures, or coalition organizations
• Prior experience in an association, member-service, or customer service environment is helpful

For consideration, qualified applicants are to submit a resume and cover letter. The cover letter should include a summary of how your background, knowledge, and skills relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position.

This position is eligible for Remote/Hybrid work. Preference will be given to candidates who reside near the DC Metro area and can commute downtown as needed. Due to the nature of the role, candidates may be required to work extended hours, including evenings and weekends. Travel is required occasionally for conferences, trainings and attendance before Congress and with the Administration in their role as representing AILA.  

Our Workplace

We offer a dynamic and collaborative work environment with a competitive compensation package based on your experience and qualifications. Our generous benefits include 90% of an employee’s Medical/Rx, Dental, and Vision premiums paid, as well as contributions towards dependents’ premiums; a 401(k) with up to 3% matching contribution upon enrollment, employer-paid disability, and life insurance, commuter subsidy for those commuting to our National office. In addition, we provide employees with flexible scheduling and telecommuting options and plenty of time away from the office to bolster creativity and recharge. Added perks: eight-week paid parental leave after one year of service and a four-week sabbatical every tenth year of service.

Statement on Diversity

The American Immigration Lawyers Association ("AILA") is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to treating all applicants and employees without regard to unlawful considerations of race, religious creed, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristics), genetic information, military and veterans status, citizenship and immigration status, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal laws. This equal employment opportunity commitment applies to all aspects of employment, including but not limited to, advertising, recruiting, hiring, job assignment, compensation, promotion, demotion, benefits, training, discipline, and termination.

AILA believes that diversity is a strength. AILA is committed to being a safe, respectful, and inclusive space, where a broad range of viewpoints and experiences are encouraged and every member of its staff and board is given the opportunity to thrive.