Managing Attorney - Immigration

Position Summary

The Senior Attorney effectively leads the Immigration Team in all aspects of client representation and administrative responsibilities. The Senior Attorney represents clients in preparation, submission, and representation on affirmative filings, as well as in all phases of immigration court proceedings. The Senior Attorney trains, supervises, and co-counsels with lesser experienced staff. Provides and supervises community education presentations as well as substantive trainings to staff and others partner organizations.

Recruits, trains, and supervises pro bono attorneys, students, and volunteers. Is responsible for administrative functions and grant requirements specific to the team.

Legal Aid Society of San Diego (LASSD), the largest poverty law firm serving San Diego County since 1953, strengthens our communities by redressing our clients’ legal problems, empowering our clients to access and effectively participate within the legal, governmental, and social systems and encouraging self-empowerment in the fight against poverty and injustice. LASSD continues to be a proud, committed, and compassionate group of people dedicated to providing equal access to justice for San Diegans through aggressive, quality legal services.

#justicebeginshere

• Oversees the substantive and administrative responsibilities of the practice team.
• Interviews prospective clients, renders legal advice, and represents clients in all phases of affirmative immigration applications and immigration court removal defense; maintains an increasingly complex caseload.
• Prepares affirmative filings for USCIS and accompanies clients to USCIS interviews and filing appeals from denied applications.
• Trains and assists less experienced staff attorneys and accredited representatives to become effective in representation of their clients through trial preparation, drafting of pleadings, effective research, and case preparation and litigation strategy.
• Evaluates the work of and creates professional development plans for staff underneath his/her direct supervision.
• With assistance from Lead Attorney, monitors team productivity and quality of work, helps to maintain the team calendar, conducts team meetings and case reviews.
• Manages all team-specific grants, including grant writing, ensuring timely completion of deliverables, drafting, and submitting grant reports, responding to funders, preparing for, and participating in monitoring visits.
• Proposes new funding strategies and solicits increased funding via grant proposals and submissions for their team.
• In concert with the Lead Attorney, assists in the implementation of substantive and administrative policies and procedures.
• Attends community outreach and education events, conducts substantive workshops, trainings, and clinics; conducts screenings and assessments of applicants and clients.
• Develops and maintains a positive working relationship with client communities, community-based organizations, partner organizations, the immigration court, and government agencies.
• Timely and accurately performs all required personal administrative duties for the benefit of the program and as an example for their staff (e.g., is punctual, sets a good attendance example for staff, daily entry of time and case notes into the Case Management System, and timely completes administrative and required regulatory and contractual tasks).
• Assists in the development and implementation of creative strategies for resolution of systemic problems which adversely affect our client communities, including legislative and administrative advocacy.
• Ensures compliance with all program and grant requirements.
• Works closely with Executive Management and meaningfully reports to the Board of Directors annually.
• Answers questions about immigration eligibility for all LASSD staff.
• Other duties as assigned by Management.

• Must be a member in good standing with the bar and eligible to practice in the highest court of any state, possession, territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or the District of Columbia.
• Must have five (5) years’ experience as a practicing attorney, three (3) years of which must be in civil poverty law or public interest law.
• Fluency in written and spoken Spanish required.
• Must have substantive and procedural expertise in all aspects of the practice of immigration law.
• Skill in working independently and following through on assignments with accuracy and minimal direction, as well as supporting team efforts, and to strategize and plan to timely and consistently meet grant deliverables and reporting requirements.
• Demonstrated skills in managing others in a regulated climate and ensuring personal and team compliance with such regulations.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work with other teams, the public, volunteers, court personnel, government agencies, and partner organizations.
• Must have the desire and ability to work with and mentor less…