Managing Attorney (New York)

The managing attorney in the New York City (NYC) office will provide high-quality legal guidance to Human Rights First’s pro bono attorneys and oversee the day-to-day management of Human Rights First’s Refugee Representation work in the New York-New Jersey metropolitan area. The managing attorney will ensure that the NYC Refugee Representation team’s values, vision, strategies, projects, and activities align with the team’s overall mission.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership

• Lead the NYC office’s day-to-day operations and serve as a Refugee Representation team leader, which includes modeling leadership, contributing to the development and implementation of team-wide strategic and operational plans, and helping implement team-wide policies and procedures;
• Work with the legal director and other members of Refugee Representation’s leadership team to continuously develop and refine a vision and strategic direction for ongoing operations;
• Manage and lead the NYC Refugee Representation team to ensure that team produces high-quality work, functions as a cohesive interdisciplinary team, and is responsive to the needs of clients, pro bono partners, and others that we serve;
• Supervise staff by mentoring, coaching, and providing professional development opportunities; oversee team selection and supervision of volunteers and interns; develop and retain a high-performing staff; and
• Monitor and ensure staff caseloads are manageable and equitably divided to avoid strain on staff;

Fundraising and Resource Development

• Assist in efforts to secure and maintain funding for the organization and Refugee Representation team;
• Collaborate with the legal director and the development team, as necessary, to write and submit proposals, letters of intent, case statements, and acknowledgement letters;
• Promote the organization’s mission by participating in local community events, promotional events, and other professional networking events to elevate the organization’s community profile; and

• Other duties as requested based on the team and/or organization’s need.

Case Selection, Placement, and Management

• Ensure that clients accepted into Human Rights First’s pro bono representation program receive high-quality legal representation from Refugee Representation staff and pro bono attorneys by providing comprehensive legal training, guidance, advice, and updates on asylum and immigration law;
• Review and supervise case management and quality-control systems for pro bono cases;
• Identify cases appropriate for pro bono and in-house representation and manage the placement of those cases; 
• Spot, analyze, and respond to legal or procedural changes that affect asylum seekers, including statutory changes, proposed regulations, and decisions of the Board of Immigration Appeals or federal courts;
• Oversee pro bono attorney recruitment and assignment of cases to volunteer attorneys;
• Play a leading role in expanding and maintaining strong relationships with local law firms, law school clinics, volunteer attorneys, and legal-service organizations;
• Provide support to pro bono attorneys and Refugee Representation staff in other offices as needed, and work with the entire Refugee Representation team to ensure inter-office support and team collaboration; and
• Sustain caseload of mentored and direct representation cases.

Operational Planning and Management

• Ensure effective systems to qualitatively and quantitatively track progress and regularly evaluate program components; 
• Oversee and assist with development of training materials for volunteer attorneys, including the online Pro Bono Attorney Library, and other manuals, memoranda, videos, and training media;
• Partner with the legal director and Human Resources team to source and staff open positions.

Advocacy

• Participate in national advocacy efforts relating to asylum seekers and refugees through engagement with the media and participation in meetings with government officials;

Fundraising and Resource Development

• Assist in efforts to secure and maintain funding for the organization and Refugee Representation team;
• Collaborate with the legal director and the development team, as necessary, to write and submit proposals, letters of intent, case statements, and acknowledgement letters;
• Promote the organization’s mission by participating in local community events, promotional events, and other professional networking events to elevate the organization’s community profile; and

• Other duties as requested based on the team and/or organization’s need.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE

• A U.S. law degree (J.D.) and active bar membership;
• At least five years of experience in representing asylum applicants at all levels of the process;
• Excellence in organizational management with the ability to coach staff; develop and manage high-performance teams; and set and achieve strategic objectives;
• Experience mentoring other attorneys, preferably on immigration law matters;
• Excellent and engaging written and oral communicator with ability to communicate patiently, respectfully, and empathetically with individuals and diverse audiences of varying backgrounds, including survivors of trauma or torture;
• Ability to manage numerous tasks simultaneously; work under pressure and meet deadlines; devise, entertain, and embrace creative solutions; and identify and analyze legal issues;
• Fluency in one or more relevant second languages—particularly Spanish, French, Arabic, or Mandarin—is highly desirable; and
• Experience working with or on interdisciplinary teams.

JOB CLASSIFICATION:  Full-Time; Exempt; Non-Union.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Open until filled.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: Interested candidates should apply at https://www.humanrightsfirst.org/careers Please include a Resume, Cover Letter, Transcripts and Writing Sample. All in PDF format. 

Only selected applicants will be contacted for phone or in-person interviews. NO PHONE CALLS, PLEASE.

Human Rights First is committed to recruiting, retaining, and developing staff from a diversity of backgrounds, including members of racial and ethnic minorities, LGBT people, people with disabilities, people of all socioeconomic backgrounds, people of all nationalities, and veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. We believe that a diverse staff and an inclusive work environment that welcomes a range of perspectives help make our advocacy work stronger and more effective.