Lead Removal Defense Attorney

Wannamaker Crimmigration, LLC; Texas; Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

C.R. Wannamaker Law, PLLC seeks a Lead Attorney to oversee removal-defense work regionally. You will manage a reduced personal caseload to focus on case strategy leadership, quality control, mentorship, and escalation support across the regional team.

You will serve as the first point of contact for complex decisions, guiding Associate Attorneys and coordinating with the Director of Legal Strategy to ensure high-quality representation and compliance with firm standards.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school and an active bar license in good standing in the region.
• Substantial removal defense and immigration court practice experience.
• Working knowledge of INA and removal‑defense doctrine.
• Ability to manage an active caseload while directing others.
• Strong written and verbal communication; ability to provide case‑strategy feedback.

Responsibilities

• Carry a reduced, region-specific caseload for leadership and quality control.
• Provide day-to-day case-strategy guidance to assigned attorneys.
• Serve as regional escalation point for complex issues.
• Perform quality-control review of files and filings.
• Provide legal oversight over attorneys, paralegals, and assistants.
• Coordinate with regional paralegals regarding caseload distribution.
• Escalate gaps or issues to VP for Strategic Initiatives and Director of Legal Strategy.
• Monitor case aging, deadlines, and caseload balance.
• Support onboarding and mentorship within the team.
• Represent the region in leadership meetings.
• Maintain cross-team collaboration for consistent strategy and timely escalation.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Job description

Join the Fastest-Growing Law Firm in the U.S. — C.R. Wannamaker Law, PLLC! Now Certified as a Great Place To Work! Recognized by Inc. 5000 as the Fastest-Growing Law Firm in the U.S., C.R. Wannamaker Law, PLLC is rewriting the story of immigration law! We’re a powerhouse of bold, compassionate advocates fighting for justice — and we know that exceptional billing and client care are key to our success. If you're ready to make a real, lasting impact, we want YOU on our team!

Job Summary

The Lead Attorney owns legal outcomes and quality control for an assigned region within the Removal Defense Department. The role carries a reduced personal caseload to preserve capacity for case-strategy leadership, quality control, mentorship, and escalation support across the regional team. The Lead Attorney serves as the first point of contact for complex or high-risk case decisions and works closely with the Director of Legal Strategy on legal matters.

Key Responsibilities

• Carry a reduced, region-specific caseload sized to allow capacity for legal leadership, quality control, and escalation support.
• Provide day-to-day case-strategy guidance and legal direction to assigned Associate Attorneys, including shared or cross-region attorneys supporting the team.
• Serve as the regional escalation point for complex legal issues, case-strategy changes, and matters presenting elevated professional-responsibility risk.
• Perform quality-control review of case files and filings prepared by Associate Attorneys to ensure compliance with firm standards and applicable professional-responsibility requirements.
• Provide functional legal oversight and direction over assigned attorneys, paralegals, and legal assistants, including case strategy, work-product review, and legal guidance.
• Coordinate with regional Paralegals and the Lead Paralegal regarding caseload distribution, staffing needs, and workflow issues affecting the region.
• Escalate operational gaps or overlapping issues to the VP for Strategic Initiatives and legal-strategy questions to the Director of Legal Strategy, consistent with the department’s dual reporting structure.
• Monitor case aging, deadlines, and caseload balance across the region and elevate resourcing concerns before they become compliance risks.
• Support onboarding, mentorship, and firm-wide training initiatives for newly assigned and existing Associate Attorneys.
• Represent the region in regular leadership meetings alongside other members of leadership.
• Maintain clear communication and collaboration across the regional case team to support consistent legal strategy, timely escalation, and high-quality representation.
• Perform other legal leadership and case-related duties as assigned consistent with the scope of the position.

Required Qualifications and Skills

J.D. from an accredited law school and an active bar license in good standing in a jurisdiction relevant to the assigned region. Substantial experience in removal defense and immigration court practice, including direct EOIR litigation experience. Working knowledge of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), the categorical approach to inadmissibility and deportability, and related removal‑defense doctrine. Demonstrated ability to manage an active caseload while reviewing and directing the work of other attorneys. Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to provide direct, constructive case‑strategy feedback and legal guidance. Sound professional judgment and the ability to identify, assess, and appropriately elevate complex or high‑risk legal issues. Ability to work effectively within a distributed leadership structure and collaborate across attorney, paralegal, legal assistant, and operational teams.

Preferred Qualifications

Prior experience in a lead, supervising, or managing attorney role. Experience working across a distributed, multi‑time‑zone team; familiarity with SIJS, VAWA, T‑visa, U‑visa, or other humanitarian relief pathways as they intersect with removal defense.

Supervisory Responsibilities

The Lead Attorney delivers functional, operational, and managerial legal oversight for assigned Associate Attorneys.