Immigration Attorney / Program Director
Summary
Kentucky Equal Justice Center (KEJC) seeks an attorney with immigration law experience to direct its vibrant immigration law program at Maxwell Street Legal Clinic (MSLC) in Lexington. The Program Director Attorney will engage in:
- Legal representation: a variety of immigration proceedings including family-based petitions, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, citizenship, and U and T visa applications
- Program management: oversight of case intake and our online case management system; staff training and supervision; program-related fundraising and grant reporting
- Outreach and education: provision of clear, reliable information to practitioners, the public, and immigrant communities about immigration and immigration law
The position may also involve occasional policy advocacy around immigration-related matters, primarily at the state level. The position is full time.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Program Director Attorney will:
- Supervise initial intake interviews of clients
- Review intake information and determine whether to accept representation
- Represent clients before federal agencies and occasionally in state court
- Conduct limited litigation and appellate work
- Engage in occasional policy advocacy before administrative and legislative bodies
- Conduct outreach to client communities
- Provide education to service providers, the legal community, and the community at large
- Provide technical assistance on immigration law matters to attorneys and advocates
- Participate in program-related grant writing, reporting, and fundraising efforts
- Train, supervise, and manage MSLC staff, law school interns, and volunteers
- Oversee day-to-day operations of MSLC, including intake and case management systems, with supervision and direction from KEJC Executive Director and Senior Counsel
Education and Experience
- Juris Doctor with at least three years of immigration law experience preferred, plus active bar membership (preferably in Kentucky).
Additional Qualifications
- Knowledge of issues affecting low-income immigrants
- Excellent research and analytical skills
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively verbally and in writing
- Experience with case management, program, and grants management
- Experience designing and delivering trainings for diverse audiences
- Experience supervising non-attorneys and volunteers
- Experience working with diverse constituencies Self-motivation and ability to take initiative Strong commitment to social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Active membership in a state bar and willingness to seek admission to the Kentucky bar if not a member
Salary and Benefits
- Salary based on experience and our salary scale. Illustrative examples: $57,905 at three years, $66,280 at 10 years. Generous fringe benefits include health and retirement, dental, life and disability coverage. KEJC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, but we provide health and retirement benefits through participation in state and county employee plans.
Application Instructions
Please email a cover letter, resume, short writing sample and a list of three references to Heather Darby, Operations Manager at heather@kyequaljustice.org.
For more information
Richard Seckel, Director
Kentucky Equal Justice Center
201 West Short Street, Suite 310
Lexington, KY, 40507.
richseckel@kyequaljustice.org
859-233-3057
859-312-8491.
Closing Date
Employment Type
Employment Level
Hours
Classification
Position
Organization
Job Location
Lexington, KY
United States
An Interactive Workshop: Getting Your DOJ Recognition and Accreditation Application Ready
Is your organization’s applications for recognition and/or accreditation "application ready"? Are you feeling overwhelmed about how to answer a question on the application or what attachments should be included? Join CLINIC’s DOJ R & A experts as we share best practices, answer application specific questions and help you identify ways to strengthen your application.
Escalating Cases with Immigration Agencies
Join CLINIC’s government relations team in conversation with Department of Homeland Security agencies on how to escalate multiple types of case issues. In this panel, learn about the roles of these agencies, what to raise to their attention, and how to submit inquiries.
Representing Cubans
According to some estimates, between 425,000 and 500,000 Cubans were encountered at the US border in 2022 and 2023. Advocates around the country have therefore seen increasing numbers of Cuban clients seeking adjustment through the Cuban Adjustment Act, asylum, and parole. During this session, panelists will discuss the latest updates on these forms of immigration relief. We will also review the various strategic and ethical considerations that come into play depending on how one's Cuban client entered the United States and whether they have been placed in removal proceedings.
Navigating the I-751 Filing Process
It is not always easy choosing the right option for a client who needs to remove the conditions on their two-year resident status. In this workshop, appropriate for practitioners of all levels, presenters will discuss how and when to file the I-751 joint petition or waiver, and the circumstances in which late filings will be excused. The session will also cover new USCIS policies on changing or supplementing the filing basis, termination of status, and readjustment after termination.
