Associate Director of Legal Programs

PURPOSE STATEMENT: The Associate Legal Director will play a crucial leadership role within the legal department, serving as the backup to the Legal Director and providing strategic oversight across multiple legal programs. This position will help manage and coordinate program structures, ensure consistent onboarding and intern usage, support program deliverables, and take the lead on certain grant-related responsibilities. The Associate Legal Director will also provide subject matter expertise and supervise certain managers, contributing to the overall success and efficiency of the legal team. 

ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE 

Ayuda is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing direct legal, social and language access services, education, and outreach to low-income immigrants in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Since 1973, Ayuda has provided critical services on a wide range of issues, in the process acquiring nationally recognized expertise in several fields including immigration law, language access, domestic violence and human trafficking. Ayuda has office locations in Washington, DC, Silver Spring, MD and Fairfax, VA.  

TEAM PROFILE 

The Associate Legal Director will assist the Legal Director in overseeing Ayuda's legal team. Ayuda’s staff attorneys and pro bono program serve more than 3,000 women, men, and children every year by helping them obtain visas, work authorization, legal status, and more. Ayuda’s immigration legal team represents low-income immigrants from all over the world in immigration matters before the Baltimore and Arlington Immigration Courts, local Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts, the Arlington Asylum Office, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Ayuda’s domestic violence/family law program provides free family law, protection order and crime victims’ rights legal services to low-income, immigrant survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking in Maryland and the District of Columbia. Finally, Project END provides advice, counsel, and representation to victims of fraud in civil, criminal, and immigration proceedings. Overall, Ayuda's legal team includes approximately 50 staff across the DMV area and implements more than 50 grants with a budget of over $5 million.   

WHY DO YOU WANT THIS JOB? 

Because, just like everyone at Ayuda, you believe: 

• In seeing communities where all immigrants succeed and thrive in the United States. 
• In the overall success of our organization and all our programs. 
• That families should be healthy and safe from harm. 
• That all people should have access to professional, honest, and ethical services, regardless of ability to pay or status in this country. 
• That diversity and equality make this country better. 

WHAT WILL THIS JOB ENTAIL? 

Core responsibilities of the position include the following: 

Leadership and Supervision 

• Serve as a key support to the Legal Director, providing leadership and decision-making backup as needed. 
• Support Legal department operations under direction of Legal Director; assist in team meeting planning and administrative projects.
• Supervise Domestic Violence/Family Law Managing Attorney, Pro Bono Managing Attorney, Project END Managing Attorney.  

 Program Strategy, Development, Management, Evaluation and Improvement 

• Oversee improvements to program structures, including implementing caseload metrics and updating retainer agreements. 
• Ensure consistent onboarding of new legal staff, interns, and fellows. 
• Create and standardize templates (e.g., closing letters) and the implementation of legal handbooks. 
• Optimize intern use across teams to ensure effective resource allocation. 
• Participate in internal task forces to drive legal program improvements. 
• Support the Legal Director to monitor and ensure all program deliverables are met, especially those tied to grants and client service outcomes. 
• Lead and coordinate legal training sessions and participate in organizing team retreats, fostering professional development and team cohesion. 
• Serve on the Fellowship Committee, contributing to the selection and support of fellows within the legal program. 
• Manage client complaints, ensuring timely and effective resolutions, while identifying areas for improvement within the legal program. 

Grants, Contracts, and Financial Management 

• Under supervision of Legal Director, and in collaboration with Grants, Finance and Operations teams, assist in overseeing the entire lifecycle of grants from application through to reporting. 
• Assist in developing and implementing policies and procedures for the legal team regarding grant management to ensure compliance and performance measures are met.    
• Collaborate with legal teams and liaise with Grants team to identify funding opportunities that align with organizational goals.
• Monitor legal grant expenditures, with support from Finance team, to ensure they remain within budgetary constraints.
• Coordinate with legal teams and liaise with Finance team to develop annual budgets and budget forecasts for the legal department, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
• Develop staffing plans that optimize resource allocation while maintaining high levels of productivity.
• With support from Data Specialist in Operations, lead legal team data management, including maintaining legal client files, processing reports, and implementing improvements, to assist in ensuring accurate data and reporting processes. 
• Implement training programs aimed at enhancing legal staff capabilities in grant management and budgeting practices.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU CAN DO THIS JOB? 

Eligibility Requirements:   

• Must be legally able to work in the United States and maintain proper work authorization throughout employment. Must be able to meet the physical requirements of the position presented in a general office environment.  
• This position can have a base office located in one of our offices but will require regular visits to each office. This position is hybrid and will include both in-person and remote workdays. 

Qualifications: 

The following qualifications are the qualities, experiences, and skills we seek in a candidate. Candidates who don't feel that they meet every single qualification, but who still believe they’d be the right fit for this role, are encouraged to consider applying! We're eager to meet people that believe in our mission and can contribute to our team in a variety of ways -- not just candidates who check all the boxes. 

Education/Experience:  

• J.D. or L.L.M. degree from an accredited law school and licensed and in good standing to practice law in any U.S. state or territory.  

• 4+ years of experience providing legal services to low-income immigrants (immigration, domestic violence/family law and/or consumer law experience preferred but not required).   

• 3+ years of supervisory experience.  

• Program management experience, including grant and financial management experience, required.    

• Experience working with low-income immigrant survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, child abuse/neglect or other forms of trauma. 

Preferred Knowledge and Skills:  

• Excellent written and verbal communications skills, flexibility, and good humor. 

• Excellent judgment, calm demeanor even under pressure, strong work ethic, resourceful, and able to maintain confidentiality. 

• Decisive, with ability to exercise independent judgment. 

• Proven ability to develop and maintain and positive team environment and support staff morale and resilience. 

• Ability to mentor, train and provide career path guidance to staff. 

• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and to initiate and follow through on work independently. 

• Excellent time management skills and ability to work in a fast-paced environment. 

• Ability to adapt to changing priorities. 

• Program evaluation and project management skills. 

• Knowledge of a second language a plus, with Spanish language skills preferred (examples of other languages commonly spoken by Ayuda’s clients include Amharic, Arabic, Tagalog, French, and Portuguese). 

SALARY AND BENEFITS: 

The anticipated salary for this position is $122,000 - $132,000, depending on experience.  

We are proud of the benefits we can offer that include:   

• Platinum-level medical insurance plan 100% employer-paid 
• Dental and vision insurance 100% employer paid 
• Long-term disability insurance 100% employer paid 
• Life and AD&D insurance 100% employer paid 
• Pre-tax 401(k) with Employer match on first 3% of salary 
• Vacation Days: 21 days per year until year 3, 27 per year in years 3-7 and 33 days per year after 7 years employment. Employees begin with 3 days of vacation leave.  
• New employees begin with 5 days of Health & Wellness (sick) leave and accrue an additional 5 hours per pay period plus emergency medical leave up to 12 weeks per year 
• 12 weeks paid parental leave/family leave 
• 24 days paid holidays and staff wellness days, including Winter Break the last week of the year 
• Job-related professional development fees (including annual state bar dues and professional memberships) 
• Flexible work schedules 

This position is exempt for overtime purposes.    

Employees with federal student loan debt may be eligible to apply for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the Department of Education.  For more information, go to https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service.   

TO APPLY: 

Please apply with resume and cover letter. Writing samples may be requested. 

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Apply early for full consideration. No phone calls, please. 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT STATEMENT: 

Ayuda is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.  

We believe that a diversity of experiences, opinions, and backgrounds is integral to achieving our mission and vision. We celebrate diversity and seek to leverage the passion, energy, and ideas of a culturally diverse team.