Managing Attorney - Immigration Practice Group

Immigration Managing Attorney

Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio (LASCO)'s mission is to provide civil legal aid and advocacy to overcome unfairness and injustice, reduce poverty, and increase opportunity. LASCO has a long-standing history of being committed to searching out the patterns, causes of, and solutions to the repetitive and fundamental legal problems facing low-income Ohioans and pursuing the legal recourse needed to address those problems. Since 1966, our organizations have helped thousands of Ohio's poor obtain and keep housing, secure public benefits, worked with families to gain and maintain economic stability, and helped domestic violence survivors to live free of fear and abuse and to obtain the resources needed to sustain themselves and their children.

In collaboration with the Advocacy Directors, the Immigration Managing Attorney will be responsible for providing leadership to supervisors, attorneys and paralegals, identifying and engaging in impact representation (including litigation and other advocacy), litigation planning, strategy, community education, assisting in identifying and pursuing funding, and collaborating with the leadership team to balance both the needs of individual clients and the need for broader systemic change for the future.

Are you someone that:

• Is dedicated to improving the lives of low-income individuals in our communities?
• Enjoys helping clients triumph over adversity?
• Is motivated, professional and thrives within a collaborative, team-driven environment?
• Believes successful resolution can be reached beyond traditional litigation?
• Is interested in developing a wide range of legal skills and experiences?
• Has expertise in Immigration Law?
• Promotes a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and quality?
• Has expertise in a wide range of Housing litigation and experiences?
• Is able to effectively balance being responsive to emerging issues raised by attorneys and driving to meet organizational priorities?

You will:

• Manage and support the practice group including attorneys with a wide range of skills and experiences in the areas of immigration and other similar substantive areas of law
• Lead and support all functions related to legal advocacy ranging from intake to the representation of clients before local, state, appellate and federal courts, and all relevant agencies
• Maintain a caseload that includes both direct service and impact work
• Represent clients with language access issues and with immigration issues including T&U visas, VAWA and family petitions, naturalization and citizenship applications.
• Develop, implement and participate in active strategic involvement in the local community including legal education, outreach activities, clinics and other community events to positively impact client communities
• Collaborate with other legal services attorneys on statewide advocacy
• Promote community relations and build community relationships by engaging with the public and partner service providers
• Develop and maintain local bar/bench relationships, relationships with local legislators and other community leaders
• Remain current on emerging legal topics and identify relevant trends related to Immigration Law
• Participate in a community of collaborative and mission driven professionals
• Facilitate professional development of attorneys across practice groups
• Lead the Immigration Law Practice Group's meaningful contributions to the organization's Racial Equity Advocacy Plan
• Co-counsel, when appropriate as well as determine other methods of effectively supporting attorneys' success in and out of the courtroom
• Collaborate with across departments to assist with applications and reports and for funding sources and government agencies

Requirements

• Demonstrated progressive experience practicing law in a variety of substantive areas and specific expertise in the areas of Immigration Law
• Comprehensive legal skills with a proven record of performance and achievement
• Prior immigration poverty law, either in your career or outside participation, such as a task force, service on a board or committee, etc.
• Ability to work within and understand grant compliance and program regulations
• High ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment
• Demonstrated ability to successfully lead, manage and develop a diverse team of professionals
• Excellent communication skills, both orally and written, with diverse audiences
• Ability to facilitate collaboration as well as build and sustain productive relationships with diverse individuals, groups and organizations
• A commitment to access for all people with a wide variety of lived experiences both internally and externally
• Strong work ethic with an ability to connect big picture ideas to day-to-day work
• Ability to prioritize workload to manage time and tasks and delegate responsibilities in an effective and efficient manner
• High ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion
• Proficiency in Microsoft applications, knowledge of current technologies and commitment to remain up to date with industry best practices
• English language proficiency is essential and Spanish/English bilingual skills are strongly preferred. Additional languages even better
• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school and admitted to the Bar of the State of Ohio (or if not currently admitted, eligible to waive in) required
• Prior Legal Aid or related work experience a plus, but not required

Other details:

• It is the policy of LASCO not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, disability, age, ancestry, and military status or any other characteristic protected by law.
• This full-time, exempt position is based in Columbus, Ohio and reports to the Director.
• Salary is dependent on level of experience.
• LASCO offers an excellent comprehensive benefits package, currently including an employer funded HRA (up to $12,000), employer-paid employee dental and vision insurance, a language skills differential ($2,500-$3,500 annually), paid vacation, sick and holiday time, LRAP eligibility, and ongoing training and development opportunities.

To apply: Submit resume, references, and letter of interest.