Immigration Litigation Strategy Lead

National Immigrant Justice Center; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Immigration Justice Center (NIJC) seeks an Associate Director of Litigation to assist the Director of Litigation in overseeing NIJC's federal court docket and to guide a team of about 20 professionals. The role emphasizes substantive docket management and leadership across a civil rights-focused litigation portfolio.

The position supports interior enforcement, asylum access, habeas challenges, and related appellate work, while coordinating with NIJC's direct services teams to

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree required with bar admission.
• Minimum eight years of litigation experience since admission to bar.
• At least three years in a supervisory role and three years in immigration-specific litigation.

Responsibilities

• Ensure effective and efficient delivery of high-quality legal services across the team.
• Identify emerging issues for litigation and assist with staffing across cases.
• Supervise teams and develop professional growth plans.
• Build and maintain relationships with national litigation partners and pro bono/nonprofit partners.
• Maintain a substantive caseload and argue cases in federal courts as needed.
• Contribute to grant writing, funder reporting, and budgeting for the litigation team.
• Ensure compliance with grant requirements and data collection for litigation practice.
• Collaborate on policy and advocacy strategy and messaging.

Skills

Microsoft Office proficiency

Legal analysis

Oral advocacy

Education

Juris Doctor

Job description

The National Immigration Justice Center (NIJC) seeks an Associate Director of Litigation to assist the Director of Litigation in overseeing NIJC's federal court docket and to guide a team of about 20 professionals. The role emphasizes substantive docket management and leadership across a civil rights-focused litigation portfolio.

The position supports interior enforcement, asylum access, habeas challenges, and related appellate work, while coordinating with NIJC's direct services teams to