Summary

Northern Nevada Legal Aid (NNLA) seeks a full-time Immigration Supervisor/Supervising Attorney to lead its dynamic Immigration Unit in representing individuals in immigration legal proceedings in affirmative matters in front of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and in defensive matters before the Executive Office for Immigration Review’s (EOIR) Immigration Courts. The Immigration Supervisor/Supervising Attorney provides leadership to the Immigration Unit, tracking progress against goals, managing projects, and improving processes. S/He fosters a collaborative team environment and a strong service-oriented culture that ensures the delivery of immigration assistance services.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Immigration Supervisor/Supervising Attorney will be responsible for:

• Leading the legal work under the Immigration Unit.
• Supervising staff attorneys, DOJ Accredited Representatives, and administrative staff, including case staffing, reviewing work product, and supervising direct representation cases.
• Conducting individualized legal consultations to screen for all types of immigration relief for individuals
• Maintaining a direct representation caseload providing direct legal representation to immigrants in a variety of matters before the EOIR and the USCIS, with a focus on serving seniors, refugees, and immigrant survivors of intimate-partner violence, trafficking, and vulnerable children and youth.
• Providing legal representation to clients in especially difficult and/or novel cases, including leading or co-chairing Individual Hearings and appeals.
• Where necessary, advocating on behalf of clients who have been victims of crimes, including human trafficking, in interactions with law enforcement.
• Representing NNLA and our clients at local and regional stakeholder, coalition, and advocacy meetings.
• Helping NNLA maintain accreditation through the Recognition & Accreditation (R&A) Program through the EOIR.
• Stay current on relevant laws and policies by attending trainings and conferences and reviewing new laws, regulations and court rules.
• Assist with preparation of grant applications, grant administration, and reports.
• Collecting, updating, and reviewing client and grant-reporting data on a monthly basis.
• Making referrals both internally to other units within NNLA and other community partners.
• Occasional outreach, community education, and other regional events.
• Other tasks as assigned/necessary.

Qualifications

• Qualified candidates must be a member of the Nevada Bar, possess an active and good standing Bar License from any United States jurisdiction to comply with Supreme Court Rule 49.1 or be a Fully Accredited OLAP Representative immediately eligible to apply for accreditation with NNLA upon employment.
• Bilingual in the English/Spanish language (Strongly Preferred).
• At least three (3) years of experience practicing immigration law, including litigation and removal defense experience and experience representing trauma survivors.
• At least one (1) year of experience supervising attorneys, Accredited OLAP Representatives, legal assistants, paralegals, and/or legal interns.
• Have excellent interpersonal skills and strong communication skills, both written and verbal. An empathetic yet effective communicator with a positive attitude, able to explain complex legal matters to clients in a manner that ensures their comprehension.
• Ability to understand the lives and struggles of the clients and patients. Be comfortable working with individuals of different backgrounds, including those from different cultures, socio-economic statuses, seniors, and vulnerable populations.
• Desire to problem-solve, make decisions efficiently, and refer clients to resources as appropriate.
• Have strong organizational skills, technical/database skills, and attention to detail.
• Be able to take initiative and work independently, as well as part of a great team of caring individuals providing an invaluable service.
• Commitment to Social Justice, particularly in the realms of legal aid and immigrants’ rights.

While not required, additional language skills, as well as prior experience working with low-income individuals, victims of trauma, crime, or domestic violence, and/or case management software are also desirable.

Salary/Benefits

Position is a full-time, exempt position, with a salary range of $76,000-$90,000 depending upon experience.

NNLA promotes a positive work-life balance by offering a 35-hour work week, 13 paid holidays per year, and a generous PTO program that starts accruing immediately to earn over 5 weeks of PTO a year (increase in PTO accrual after 2 years). NNLA offers a competitive benefits package which pays 100% of the employee Medical, Dental, Vision and Life plans along with paying 75% of dependents benefit premium. In addition, NNLA has a 401(k) matching program, an Employee Assistance Program, Flexible Spending Account, Dependent Care Account, and supplemental benefits.

Application Deadline and Starting Date

Position is available immediately and will remain posted until filled. Applications and interviews will be reviewed/conducted on a rolling basis.

How to Apply

To apply, please email a cover letter, and resume to tzimmerman@nnlegalaid.org with the Subject Line: Immigration Supervisor/Supervising Attorney. References will be required upon advancement in the potential hiring process.

Location

Work is expected to be performed primarily on-site at the primary office of NNLA, located at 299 S. Arlington Ave nestled between Reno’s lively Downtown and Midtown neighborhoods. While the majority of work is expected to be performed on-site a hybrid/telework schedule may be considered dependent on organizational needs.

About Northern Nevada Legal Aid

Formerly known as Washoe Legal Services, Northern Nevada Legal Aid (NNLA) is a private 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in Washoe County, Nevada which was established in 1965 and has been in continuous operation since. NNLA provides Northern Nevada’s vulnerable populations access to justice, regardless of their ability to pay, to protect their rights, safety, and family stability.

NNLA plays a critical role in increasing the safety and stability of domestic violence victims and their children; protecting the rights of abused and neglected children, the indigent, and the elderly; and increasing the safety and stability of immigrants who are elderly or victims of crime and domestic or sexual violence. NNLA’s purpose is to achieve justice for those whose voices might otherwise not be heard, to empower individuals to advocate for themselves, and to make positive changes in the communities we serve.

In 2022, Northern Nevada Legal Aid assisted in over 10,500 legal matters. Specifically, NNLA represented children in the custody of the Washoe County Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Children and Family Services (rural counties) in 1,217 legal matters, including 1,153 in their underlying 432B (abuse and neglect) matters, 36 in adoptions, and 24 in continuing jurisdiction after having reached 18 years of age; NNLA represented 1,258 protected persons in adult guardianship cases and 152 in minor guardianship; NNLA assisted 931 clients under 60 years of age with housing and/or consumer related issues; NNLA provided legal services to 1,343 individuals over 60 years of age through its Senior Legal Center; NNLA assisted victims of domestic violence in 50 extended protective order cases and 86 divorce and/or custody cases; NNLA assisted 368 individuals (including, primarily, victims of crime) in immigration matters; and NNLA provided self-help services to 1,980 individuals.

The Immigration Unit is recognized under the Department of Justice’s Recognition and Accreditation Program with a staff of three: one full time Fully Accredited Representative, one part time Partially Accredited Representative, and a Legal Assistant. The Unit represents individuals in a variety of immigration law matters including: family-based immigration matters, immigration benefits for victims of crime, citizenship, renewing, and maintaining lawful immigration status for documented individuals, other humanitarian benefits, such as DACA & TPS, as well as asylum and refugee matters and removal proceedings in the Immigration Court.

Diversity Statement

Northern Nevada Legal Aid is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to the empowerment of vulnerable individuals and communities, through the expansion of access to legal justice in Northern Nevada. We do not discriminate in regards to gender, age, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability or any other protected class as provided for by law or statute. Individuals of diverse backgrounds are highly encouraged to apply.