Managing Attorney-Asylum Access Services

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Managing Attorney  leads, manages and mentors a team of attorneys and legal assistants across RAICES locations. Under the direction of the Legal Directors, this position proactively identifies program level needs, proposes solutions to those needs, and executes the approved solution. They are advocates for RAICES internally in regard to policies and procedures and externally with the community. They are the experts on any grants/contracts within their department. The Managing Attorney serves as the internal and external point of contact for local or designated locations for rapid response, media, stakeholder, and community needs, among others.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategy/Outreach/Program Development

• Oversee legal strategy through direct supervision of a team. Ensures all cases have a high quality legal review by conducting/overseeing regular case file reviews to ensure compliance with RAICES Immigration Program Policies & Procedures, contract/grant requirements, and immigration law best practices. Ensure fees are collected as defined by the Fee for Service Policy, where applicable.
• Serves as the legal program(s) subject matter expert on immigration law and works collaboratively with other Managing Attorneys across all RAICES legal programs; participates in a Managing Attorney cohort, which convenes regularly to discuss legal department-wide issues and assists in finding proposed solutions and implementing them within their legal program(s) with approval from Legal Directors;
• Maintain timely and consistent communication with funders, staff, RAICES leadership, community partners, and volunteers while building strong working relationships. 
• Acts as a critical and collaborative working partner with multidisciplinary  RAICES programs and internal support teams, serving as the main liaison between Legal Department and other local departments to provide holistic and integrated services to the local community;
• Serves as the external point of contact for local or designated locations for rapid response, media, stakeholder, and community needs, with appropriate executive team and/or external affairs approval.

Supervision/Staff Development

• Performs management responsibilities of selection, scheduling, supervision, retention, mentoring and evaluation of all direct reports. Provides ongoing and engaging coaching and feedback. 
• Helps prioritize workload, discusses challenges, and assists staff with professional development plans, including resources and recommendations related to DOJ accreditation;
• Promote and develop a positive, highly functioning, collaborative team and ensure effective integration of internships.
• Ensure staff adhere to all policies & procedures by providing ongoing relevant training, including legal ethics, and most up to date guidance regarding immigration law, trends, and policies.

Operations

• Works with the Legal Directors to develop and monitor intake procedures, case acceptance policies and caseload targets and limits. Work with staff on managing the caseload targets and limits.
• Participate in reviewing grant/contract legal funding opportunities for RAICES.  Develop and maintain a strong, working  knowledge of awarded contract/grant requirements to ensure compliance and promote best practices. Ensure staff are trained on contract/grant requirements.
• Ensure program data is collected consistently and reported timely for monthly financial billing and reports, annual budget submissions and budget amendments. Ensure all KPIs are tracked and timely  reported to leadership on schedule or as requested.
• Work with Legal Operations Manager to develop and/or maintain RAICES Immigration Program Policies & Procedures Manual.
• Participate in the budget process for the department and monitor the expenses to ensure spent in accordance with the approved budget.
• Handles an extremely limited caseload to maintain legal practice and expertise. Take over cases as needed based on staff departures or training. 
• Other duties as assigned by Legal Directors or Executive Staff.

Minimum Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Current bar membership in good standing within the United States.
• Barred in Texas is preferred, may be required if specified to meet Grant Requirements.
• Grant requirements may include bilingual (English/Spanish) fluency.
• 5 years of experience practicing immigration law or unit equivalent work
• 3 years of experience supervising a team of attorneys, legal assistants and/or various legal support staff; and,
• Able to pass a Federal Background Check.

Preferred Qualifications

• 3 years  non profit leadership experience, including program and service delivery;
• 6 years experience in immigration law or progressively responsible legal practice.
• 6 years  experience in complex immigration matters and/ or criminal law, preferred;
• Experience in an senior level management or leadership position; and
• Bilingual English and Spanish are a plus.

Attributes

• Must demonstrate behavior that aligns with RAICES’ mission, vision, and values – Empowerment, Excellence, Compassion, Inclusion and being proactive;
• Able to communicate cross -culturally and work in a multicultural setting with patience and compassion with diverse individuals;
• Experience incorporating the perspectives of multiple communities and cultures, including communities of color and vulnerable populations, in the consideration of impacts and outcomes of a decision-making process:
• Fosters an inclusive, collaborative, and supportive work culture;
• Ability to work independently and as part of a diverse, multidisciplinary team;
• Strong organizational and time-management skills ; and
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

PLEASE NOTE:  Employees are expected to live within the assigned geographic location to commute to and from the office or assigned on-site location(s) as business or client needs require.

• Currently, all interviews are virtual. 
• All positions will require working remotely and in-office at the assigned work location.
• Applicants must reside in the state of Texas.
• Relocation assistance may be provided to candidates willing to relocate.

RAICES is committed to building an inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds and strongly encourages people of color, women, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, plus (LGBTQ+), and individuals who have been impacted by the criminal system or the immigration system to apply; and, RAICES is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, disability, national origin, protected veteran status, age, or any other status protected by applicable national, federal, state, or local law.