Supervising Immigration Attorney

Make a difference! Become a Defender! 

The Defender Association of Philadelphia is seeking an experienced and passionate immigration attorney to help guide our Community Defense Unit. The Community Defense Unit will provide direct legal services in immigration law matters by representing clients in immigration court hearings, immigration appeals, federal filings with USCIS and the U.S. Department of State, and in federal litigation before district courts and circuit courts. In addition, the unit will provide immigration analysis and advice in criminal cases involving non-citizen defendants. The Supervising Attorney will supervise, manage, and evaluate the attorneys, social work mitigators, paralegals, legal interns, and administrative staff within the unit, including all attorneys and staff hired under the PAIFUP sub-award. The Supervising Attorney will work closely with the Chief to develop processes and procedures for the unit and help advance the vision for the growth of the Community Defense Unit. The Supervising Attorney will also assist in developing ongoing trainings to reflect best practices for the Defender Association in an ever-changing immigration landscape. The Supervising Attorney will work closely with the Executive Team, other management, court administration, outside stakeholders, and community partners to advance the Defender Association’s interests. This position is partially funded by a sub-award contract with Nationalities Services Center, which expires June 30,2026. The continuation of this position is conditional upon further immigration funding. 

What You’ll Do

• Assist the Chief to manage the day-to-day operations of the Immigration Law Practice
• Assist the Chief to develop and implement procedures and protocols that are necessary to improve departmental efficiency and promote the professional development of the unit’s staff
• Create and foster a unit where attorneys and staff develop, maintain, and grow the necessary skills to handle the multi-faceted practice of immigration defense
• Assist the Chief in supervising the immigration unit in immigration analysis and advice in criminal cases involving non-citizen defendants 
• Assist the Chief in managing the unit’s growing habeas and federal court practice
• Assist the Chief in supervising, managing, and evaluating performance of lawyers, paralegals, legal interns, and administrative staff within the unit in all aspects of their job duties
• Be available and accessible to answer immigration-related questions from attorneys, social workers, paralegals, and staff
• Assist in the creation and maintenance of databases for unit programs to track relevant data and statistics
• Assist in the creation and maintenance of a system to track and assess workload within the unit and across unit members
• Assist with case coverage if needed
• Conduct regular 1 on 1 meetings with unit staff, and complete yearly written performance evaluations in conjunction with the Chief of the unit.

• Prepare and present training programs for Defender Association attorneys and outside organizations on topics related to immigration defense. 
• Attend meetings with Court Administration, Judges, County and State Officials, and community stakeholders, as needed, to advance the interest of the Defender Association and our immigration clients  
• Assist the Chief in interviewing and hiring 
• Engage in media appearances and fundraising efforts, as needed 

What You’ll Need

• Juris Doctorate Degree required; Admission to PA Bar required.
• Admission to practice in federal court required. 
• Four (4) years of immigration legal experience, required.
• One (1) year of experience practicing in federal court required.
• Fluency in Spanish, preferred.
• Experience in managing, training, and development of attorneys, preferred.
• Knowledge and familiarity with statutes, caselaw, and best practices related to immigration representation, required.
• Must possess the ability to effectively communicate with widely diverse groups, both internally and externally.
• Ability to travel to local, state and federal courtrooms and prisons, as needed

Benefits & Perks

• Generous and rich benefits plan including choice of affordable medical plans, and employer paid: dental, vision, life insurance, long term disability insurance and professional liability insurance
• Substantial paid time off- close to 35 days off plus all federal holidays
• Retirement Savings Employer Match
• Paid eight weeks of parental leave
• Free Septa Anywhere Key Card
• Public Loan Forgiveness Eligible Employer
• Impactful mission driven work  
• Wellness Benefits
• Ongoing Training and Development of You

Salary:

Compensation is competitive and scaled based on relevant experience post-bar admission. Includes a premier benefits package

Application:

Please submit an online application with detailed cover letter and writing sample (maximum 20 pages) 

Who is the Defender Association? 

The Defender Association of Philadelphia is more than just a law firm. We’re the community’s lawyers. The Defender team – more than 500 attorneys, social workers, investigators, administrators, and other staff – make sure that everyone, regardless of income, has access to high-quality defense when facing criminal charges. Our mission-driven, client-centered model focuses on outcomes that support a system that is fundamentally fair and creates safer, stronger communities. Our unique model and approach give our staff with the skills and support they need to get the best outcomes for our clients. Come join our team! For more information, go Defender’s website and follow  us @PhillyDefenders (Twitter, IG, Tiktok) and on LinkedIn. 

The Defender Association provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, The Defender Association complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.