The Catholic Charities Refugee and Immigrant Services Program in South Boston, has an opening for a full-time Supervising Immigration Attorney to join its team of dedicated professionals.

Manage the daily operations of a large non-profit immigration legal services department. Represent clients before EOIR and with USCIS. Supervise casework of attorneys and Department of Justice (DOJ) accredited representatives. Train and mentor immigration legal services staff. Oversee administrative aspects of program. Develop and oversee community outreach and educational activities related to immigration law and policy.

Essential functions include:

• Ensure that the activities of this position and relevant programs are consistent with the mission, vision, and values of the Catholic Charitable Bureau Archdiocese of Boston and Refugee and Immigration Services.
• Maintain professional boundaries and ensure the confidentiality and privacy of all client information at all times. Manage overall caseload.
• Oversee case selection and mix, ensure proper balance of complex and less complex cases.
• Allocation cases to staff and help staff determine representation strategies.
• Ensure fee schedule is reviewed annually and documented.
• Track fee collection and keep accurate records for finance review.
• Follow set standards for approving client fee waivers and report quarterly on number of fees waived.
• Develop realistic fee goals for individual staff and overall department, track and report on performance toward goals.
• Provide direct representation for cases before the EOIR and USCIS including supervised casework of DOJ accredited representatives.
• Hire and train employee(s) for according to program needs and agency requirements.
• Supervise employee performance and provide feedback, coach and provide performance improvement plans as needed.
• Meet with and communicate regularly with employee(s) to ensure expected performance is met. Oversee casework, give guidance on legal strategies and promote professional development through training and practice.
• Prepare annual performance appraisals and meet with employee(s) on an annual basis to review performance and submit appraisals and (as relevant) merit increase forms by deadline.
• Conduct weekly or biweekly all staff meetings.
• Train new attorneys and DOJ accredited representatives.
• Provide staff with opportunities for ongoing legal education through webinars, on-site or e-learning.
• Review administrative policies and procedures on annual basis and make adjustments as needed during the year. Utilize program assessment and monitoring tools from CLINIC to evaluate operational practices and make changes as warranted.
• Ensure Department of Justice EOIR program recognition and accreditation for staff is current and handle all applications for renewal/re-recognition.
• Coordinate pro bono attorneys and law school interns as relevant and based on program need. Assign cases and provide supervision. As appropriate assign pro bono or law student to staff attorneys or DOJ accredited representatives.
• Collaborate with Resettlement and/or Community Interpreter Services programs as applicable. Provide legal immigration guidance to Resettlement programs that intersect with ILS. As requested, provide representation to limited number of clients referred from special Resettlement programs.
• Utilize immigration program management software, currently LawLogix Edge. Serve as point person with software vendor. Maintain policies and procedures for proper data input. Analyze data for purpose of ensuring effective program management, including review of fee generation and case mix, to determine appropriateness and lead effort to correct/revise as needed. Monitor staff usage of software.
• Ensure client data from immigration software is routinely migrated to agency database, DataCCAB and respond to requests for data and performance reports.
• In collaboration with director, identify administrative priorities of program and oversee implementation of the same.
• Represent ILS at local and regional stakeholder meetings such as Immigration Coalition, USCIS District, ICE/ERO regional meetings.
• Develop and oversee outreach and educational activities for immigrants or community partners when there are major changes to immigration policy or laws.
• Collaborate with other legal non-profit agencies to organize and operate group processing workshops to respond to large scale changes immigration laws.
• Participate in strategic planning efforts for agency, statewide, and national initiatives related to immigrants and immigration policy.

Qualifications:

• Authorized to practice law. Admitted in any state.
• Five years experience in the practice of immigration law; humanitarian and family based immigration law experience strongly preferred
• Minimum three years supervisory experience of attorneys and/or DOJ accredited representatives, preferably in nonprofit legal setting. Strong leadership skills.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish, preferred.
• Sensitivity to client needs is necessary.
• Proficient administrative, data collection, typing and computer skills including MS Office and immigration program management software.
• Familiarity with e-learning and webinars, experience with database systems.
• Proficient communication, writing and typing skills with keen attention to detail.
• Pleasant telephone skills and thoughtful demeanor towards others.
• Ability to establish and maintain a positive and professional relationship with co-workers, clients, and service providers.
• Cultural sensitivity and ability to relate well and effectively in a diverse workplace with diverse client population is required.
• Ability to work some Saturdays and evenings as needed.

To apply for this job, click here and reference job #9026.  

We are an equal opportunity employer. No phone calls please.