Supervising Attorney, NIJC Indianapolis

Program Description:

The National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) provides direct legal services to, and advocates for, immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers through policy reform, impact litigation, and public education. Since its founding more than three decades ago, NIJC has been unique in blending individual client advocacy with broad-based systemic change. Headquartered in Chicago with offices in Washington, DC, Indiana, and San Diego, NIJC's team of 100+ attorneys, paralegals, and professionals, along with 2,000 pro bono attorneys, is at the forefront of immigration reform.

Summary:

The Supervising Attorney leads a legal team providing direct representation and counsel to non-detained immigrants and individuals seeking asylum before the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), and the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). This role includes supervising attorneys and paralegals, ensuring high-quality legal services, offering case support, and managing daily operations. The Supervising Attorney is also responsible for the training and professional development of team members. This role also includes supervision and coordination of the Indianapolis Immigrant Court help desk.

As part of NIJC's leadership team, the Supervising Attorney will occasionally collaborate with other legal service projects, pro bono partners, and the organization's litigation, policy, and communications teams. Annual goals and responsibilities will be defined through Success Objectives.

 Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Supervises legal services and oversees paralegals, attorneys, interns, and support staff providing legal services; including the development of case strategy, preparation, and representation before governmental agencies.
• Ensures accurate data entry by paralegals, attorneys, and interns.
• Oversees and reviews legal intakes; makes legal assessments and determinations regarding representation.
• Oversees the Indianapolis Immigration Court help desk, including conducting general and individual information sessions and coordinating follow-up intakes for pro se individuals appearing before the Indianapolis Immigration Court.
• Ensures timely case preparation, including case opening process, preparing filings, trial preparation, appeals, case closures, and other case management practices.
• Works with supervisory team to build a strong team and oversee the team's projects.
• Provides recommendations based on case trends to inform project-based strategic decisions.
• Maintains and develops strategic partnerships with key stakeholders.
• Conducts factual and legal research.
• Provides legal representation to immigrants in immigration proceedings, including before an immigration officer, an immigration judge, and before the Board of Immigration Appeals as appropriate.
• Drafts correspondence and documents, including applications, briefs, and reports.
• Improves delivery of legal services, including use of technology to improve efficiency.
• Conducts legal presentations regarding law and case(s) to NIJC staff and members of the immigrant community.
• Maintains accurate, thorough, and timely records.
• Identifies trends and emerging issues and responses to issues.
• Maintains current knowledge regarding immigration law, policies, and procedures.
• Advances an anti-racist organization that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Reacts to change productively and handles other essential duties as assigned.

 Qualifications: 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability . 

• Education and/or Experience: A law degree (JD), license to practice law and at least 3 years' experience in the legal field, preferably in the field of immigration law. Previous supervisory experience preferred but not .
• Language Skills: Fluency in English and Spanish is . Excellent oral and written communication skills. Demonstrated competency in public speaking and strong interpersonal skills .  Additional non-English language skills are preferred.
• Computer Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Reasoning Ability: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.  Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

 Work Environment: 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time
• The person in this position occasionally needs to move about inside the office to access filing cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a copy machine.

 It is the policy of NIJC not to discriminate against any applicant for employment, or any employee because of age, color, sex, disability, national origin, race, religion, or veteran status.

By submitting your application, you acknowledge and consent to undergo a comprehensive background check as part of the employment process. This background check will be conducted in compliance with applicable state and federal laws.

Salary

• $72,000 - $84,600/year