Supervising Attorney

 

Job Summary: 

The Supervisor of Family Based and General Cases is a blended position within JFCS Immigration Legal Services including direct representation of clients while performing supervisory duties including:  

 

 

Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Direct Representation: The Supervisor of Family Based Cases will represent clients in immigration matters before USCIS, the Department of State, the Philadelphia Immigration Court, and the Board of Immigration Appeals. This includes observing client interactions, reviewing Applications and motions to USCIS and the Executive Office for Immigration Review, appearing with and supporting less experienced attorneys before USCIS and/or in court as appropriate; 

• Education and Outreach: The Supervisor will assist with legal education efforts, including planning and providing internal and external stakeholder training, as well as producing educational materials. The Supervisor will maintain strong relationships with stakeholders and partner organizations.  

• Pro Bono Development: The Supervisor will assist periodically with JFCS’s efforts to recruit, train and mentor pro bono attorneys. 

• Supervision: The Supervisor will oversee paralegals, non-attorneys and attorneys in intakes, client meetings, and case management tasks. Holding regular check-ins with supervisees, providing performance feedback, and encouraging healthy work-life boundaries.  Also, working in collaboration with other supervisors, managers and the Director of the department to develop program goals, opportunities for training on relevant areas to further staff capacity, and team building measures.  

• Administrative: The Supervisor will maintain clear and detailed records to facilitate reporting to grantors and ensure all supervisees are maintaining clear and detailed records. The Supervisor is responsible for maintaining updated records in the personnel files of each staff member under their supervision, reviewing and releasing timesheets for the staff they supervise as well as approving requests for expense reimbursement and time off.  

• Training: The Supervisor will train new staff on grant compliance, case management, and office procedures. 

• Additional Duties as Assigned: The Supervisor will complete other tasks as assigned in support of the overall work and mission of JFCS Immigration Legal Services department.   

 

Qualifications  

 

Minimum Qualifications: The candidate should be passionate about JFCS’s mission and roots, and have a demonstrated ability to work with diverse collaborators and stakeholders. In addition, the candidate should possess:  

• J.D. degree and license to practice law in any state (preference for Pennsylvania license) or be an Accredited Representative;  

• A demonstrated knowledge of immigration legal systems and immigration law and proven experience of successfully representing clients to obtain positive outcomes.   

• Experience working with trauma survivors or other vulnerable populations;  

• Creative thinker with superior communication skills;  

• Excellent organizational skills, time management and records keeping skills, including the ability to work independently, assess priorities, take initiative, handle multiple assignments and meet deadlines;  

• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to work collaboratively and to effectively interact with management, program staff, and community partners;  

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and ability to work with databases;  

• High degree of skill in preparing detailed reports to funders;  

• Ability to work in a team of diverse professionals and human service workers. 

• Demonstrated abilities as a collaborative team leader who leads by example and creates an environment that is inclusive, respectful, warm, and supportive.  

 

Preferred Qualifications: The ideal candidate will have: 

•  3-5 years of experience in immigration law, specifically in working with refugees and other special populations (Afghan, Ukraine, Cuban, Venezuelan, Haitian etc).  

• Prior supervisory experience strongly preferred;