Catholic Charities Community Services (CCCS) is a leading provider of quality immigration legal services in New York City and the Lower Hudson Valley. CCCS’ Division of Immigrant and Refugee Services provides low-income New Yorkers with free, comprehensive immigration services using a variety of service models, including full representation, community clinics, pro se workshops, and a robust pro bono program. Legal staff represent clients before USCIS, EOIR, and in state and federal courts, in cases ranging from complex removal defense to affirmative applications. The Division’s legal programs – Unaccompanied Minors and Immigration Legal Services– comprise more than 130 staff members. The Division’s other departments are Refugee Resettlement, the International Center, the Immigration Hotline, and the Day Laborers program; together, the Division has more than 250 staff members, volunteers, and interns.

Position Summary

Under the supervision of the Co-Director of Immigrant & Refugee Services, the Director of Legal Services will lead the Division’s diverse legal programming. This includes overseeing comprehensive immigration legal services provision, contract compliance, and budgets; and providing leadership and support for legal teams and programs. The position is responsible for strategic planning as well as program design and implementation. The Director will work with external stakeholders and with partners, including senior leadership, throughout the Division and the agency.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction, leadership, and management of services and activities across legal program areas.
• Provide and ensure high-quality supervision, mentorship, and training for all legal staff; ensure that staff members are equipped to meet their goals and objectives; directly supervise Managing Attorneys and other staff.
• Apply extensive knowledge of law, practice, and client populations to ensure a high standard of trauma-informed representation and client services, in accordance with program guidelines.
• Oversee continuous quality improvement processes throughout the legal programs; ensure that supervisors have the tools needed for successful program implementation. • Collaborate on development of new programs and initiatives, including planning, implementation, and quality assurance.
• Oversee practice and supervision protocols, and develop new procedures as needed. • Manage professional development and engagement opportunities for all legal staff.
• Conduct ongoing review and improvement of database, case management, file, and tracking systems, in partnership with Program, Operations, and Executive Office colleagues,
• Coordinate and support communication and teamwork across legal programs and with the Division and Agency; and foster unity of vision, purpose, and mission.
• Oversee recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and training of new staff.
• Develop and manage program grants and contracts, including implementation and compliance. Communicate with funders and partners on program and contractual matters.
• Work closely with Development, Contracts, and other colleagues on funding opportunities. Prepare proposals and renewals and negotiate with funders.
• Partner with Finance, Operations, and other colleagues to ensure budgetary compliance; oversee revenue and expenses; and facilitate invoicing, allocations, and forecasting.
• Coordinate programming with other CCCS divisions and affiliate agencies serving immigrant populations. This may include partnering on program design and planning, as well as individual referrals.
• Work closely with the Agency’s Human Resources Department and hiring managers on recruitment, hiring, and other personnel issues.
• Ensure appropriate communication and implementation of agency policies, procedures, programming, and initiatives.
• Prepare internal and external reports, such as Board, funder, and program reports.
• Represent CCCS with external partners and other stakeholders, including government agencies, advocacy groups, legal service providers, community groups, and the media. Collaborate on issues such as advocacy, best practices, litigation, and law reform.
• Develop and maintain relationships with community-based organizations, advocates, practitioners, and other stakeholders. Promote the Division's visibility and impact within the governmental, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectors.
• Work closely with private and government funders to ensure viability of the Division’s legal programs.
• Monitor and track issues in need of advocacy and elevate trends to stakeholders.
• Facilitate and conduct community and public education, outreach, and training.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Qualifications

• Education and/or experience required:
  • JD and active status as member in good standing of the bar in any state or D.C.
  • At least seven years of post-JD experience in immigration law, preferably with experience in removal defense and pro bono programing.
  • Minimum of five years supervising and mentoring others, including supervision of supervisors.
• Skills, Licenses, and/or competencies required:
  • Demonstrated leadership skills.
  • Highly motivated self-starter with strong problem-solving skills.
  • Demonstrated project and time management skills, ability to work in a fast-paced environment, and ability to prioritize multiple complex tasks and use resources wisely.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with an aptitude for building relationships across disciplines, job titles, and agencies.
  • Strong understanding of legal and program management principles, including knowledge of grant-writing and budget creation. • Excellent writing, research, and analytical skills. Strong attention to detail required.
  • Ability to work independently and in a highly collaborative team environment.
  • Demonstrated commitment to and experience in public interest law and immigration legal services.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of trauma-informed, client-centered, and culturally and linguistically responsive services and principles.
  • Ability to work and communicate effectively and sensitively in a diverse and multicultural environment.
  • Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and utilization of DEI lens in work.

Salary

• 150,000 - 170,000

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position that will require work at the Division’s primary location in lower Manhattan and occasionally at other CCCS offices and affiliates, community-based sites, and courts. A willingness to travel throughout the Archdiocese is required. Days and hours of work are 9:00am-5:00pm, Monday through Friday, with some weekend and evening hours as needed.

Working conditions and physical demands required

The demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Travel at least 25% of the time using reliable transportation, traverse city streets, occasionally ascend and descend stairs, and be exposed to outside weather conditions.
• Remain stationary at a workstation and meetings; use computer at least 75% of the time.
• Remain stationary and/or ambulate during trainings and presentations.
• Carry a laptop to and from work locations.

To Apply

Click here to apply. Please include a cover letter with your application. Applications without cover letters will not be considered.

Catholic Charities and Catholic Charities Community Services is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristics protected by law.

Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors (“TNJFON”) is a non-profit law firm that represents clients in immigration matters, educates the community about immigration law and policy, and advocates for the rights of immigrants. We represent clients eligible for humanitarian forms of relief such as asylum, DACA, Special Immigrant Juvenile status, T visas, Temporary Protected Status, U visas, and relief under VAWA. Every member of our staff plays a critical role in fulfilling the TNJFON mission.

We seek a Legal Director with a demonstrated commitment to immigrant justice. The Legal Director provides direct client representation; trains and supervises legal staff and volunteers; supports the Executive Director in grant reporting and development activities; and represents TNJFON at public events. The Legal Director works closely with the Executive Director on operations and organizational strategy.

The Legal Director’s primary job location is the TNJFON office at 2915 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, TN 37211. A hybrid work schedule, combining in-office with remote work, may be available.

Responsibilities

• Provide accurate and comprehensive legal advice and counsel to clients on immigration matters
• Represent clients on immigration matters before the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the Memphis Immigration Court (EOIR), and the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA)
• Maintain a thorough and up-to-date understanding of U.S. immigration law, regulations, and policy through legal research, continuing legal education, and other professional development
• Train, mentor, and supervise legal staff including staff attorney(s), DOJ-accredited representative(s), paralegal(s), administrative assistant(s), and law student intern(s)
• Ensure that legal staff maintain accurate and complete records regarding representation including client communications, casework, and deadlines and otherwise comply with professional and ethical obligations
• Maintain accurate and complete databases regarding client demographics and other data as requested by the Executive Director for purposes of grant reporting and funding proposals
• Train, mentor, and supervise law student(s) in joint legal clinics with community partners
• Recruit, train, and mentor pro bono attorneys
• Develop materials and present at community events, workshops, legal clinics, and continuing legal education seminars on U.S. immigration law, regulations, and policy
• Support the Executive Director and the Advocacy and Education Coordinator in public messaging about TNJFON’s work and developments in U.S. immigration law and policy
• Respond to press inquiries and represent TNJFON in press appearances
• Attend TNJFON Board meetings and provide quarterly reports on legal services; if requested by the Executive Director, attend specified Board committee meetings
• Collaborate with Immigration Law & Justice Network through participation in attorney calls and preparation of required reports

Qualifications

• Member in good standing of the bar of any U.S. state or the District of Columbia; Tennessee bar admission preferred
• At least 5 years of immigration law experience; removal defense experience preferred
• At least 5 years of experience managing legal staff
• Excellent problem-solving and leadership skills
• Outstanding organizational and time management skills
• Strong analytical skills and sound judgment
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Demonstrated commitment to social, racial, and economic justice and an understanding of the challenges facing immigrant communities and victims of trauma
• Fluency in one of the languages commonly spoken by TNJFON’s clients (Spanish, Dari, Pashto) preferred

Salary and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $89,000 - $94,000. Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. TNJFON offers a generous benefits package, including:

• Fully paid health insurance for employee
• Employer match of up to 3% to retirement plan
• 10 paid office holidays
• Paid time off including:
  • medical leave
  • vacation
  • parenting leave
  • renewal leave

To Apply

Please submit a letter of interest, resume, legal writing sample, and three references to director@tnjfon.org with “Legal Director” in the subject line. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.