Managing Attorney

International Rescue Committee; New York (NY); On-site; USD 95,000 - 109,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

10 sick days

20-25 paid time off days

Medical insurance starting at $163/month

403(b) retirement plan with matching

Job summary

The International Rescue Committee in New York is seeking a Managing Attorney to oversee immigration legal services. This role includes providing direct legal representation, supervising a team of attorneys, and developing legal program policies.

The ideal candidate will possess a Law degree, have significant experience in humanitarian immigration law, and demonstrate strong leadership abilities. Offered salary ranges from $95,000 to $109,000, depending on experience.

The position provides a comprehensive benefits package and is aligned with the IRC's commitment to advocate for immigrant rights.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 to 7 years of experience providing direct representation to refugees and other humanitarian migrants.
• At least 2 years of experience providing supervision to attorneys in a legal services context.
• Strong legal judgment and experience managing case volumes.

Responsibilities

• Oversee legal strategy and supervise a team of legal practitioners.
• Provide direct legal representation to clients before USCIS.
• Develop and monitor intake procedures and case acceptance policies.

Skills

Advocacy for humanitarian immigrants

Legal supervision skills

Outstanding communication skills

Collaborative leadership

Bilingual in Spanish or Arabic

Education

Law degree (JD or LLM)

Job description

JOB OVERVIEW

The Managing Attorney will oversee immigration legal services at IRC‑NY, including the NY Pro Se Assistance Program, which provides comprehensive legal consultations, immigration court preparation, asylum application support, and other pro se filing assistance to individuals in removal proceedings; and IRC’s longstanding immigration legal services program, which provides low‑cost legal services to refugees, immigrants and other community members seeking family reunification, adjustment of status, naturalization and other immigration benefits before USCIS.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee legal strategy through daily direct supervision of a team of legal practitioners, including attorneys and Department of Justice‑accredited representatives.
• Employ adaptive management techniques to provide regular individual supervision and support; mentor staff, set clear performance expectations and goals, give regular feedback, help prioritize workloads, troubleshoot challenges, and maintain professional development plans.
• Develop and monitor intake procedures, case acceptance policies, and caseload targets and limits.
• Provide direct legal representation to a limited caseload of clients before USCIS, including complex cases.
• Actively co‑facilitate and support grant opening, grant review, and grant closing meetings, and lead all aspects of the grant cycle, including developing and implementing monitoring & evaluation plans.
• Ensure program data is collected consistently, managed appropriately and reported timely, using IRC’s legal case management database and other relevant case management systems.
• Ensure effective integration of internships and volunteers within programs.
• Collaborate and work effectively with other IRC program areas to ensure client‑centered services, in furtherance of IRC’s mission.
• Establish, maintain, and periodically refresh legal services program policies and procedures in collaboration with IRC’s Legal Services Technical Unit; oversee or conduct regular case file reviews to ensure compliance with legal case management procedures.
• Create and maintain a viable outreach strategy to cultivate and maintain strong relationships with community‑based organizations, the private bar, and nonprofit legal providers; pursue program initiatives with partners that further goals and address unmet demand.
• Work closely with the HQ Legal Services Technical Unit and field offices as part of IRC’s immigration legal services network.
• Serve as a strong advocate for humanitarian immigrants.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

• Reports to: Deputy Director, IRC‑NY.
• Liaises closely with HQ Legal Services Technical Unit.
• Directly supervises: 4 staff attorneys, 1 DOJ Accredited Representative, and interns.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Law degree (JD or LLM) from an ABA‑accredited U.S. institution and member in good standing of any state bar.
• Minimum 5 to 7 years of experience providing direct representation to refugees and other humanitarian migrants in affirmative applications such as adjustment of status, naturalization, family petitions, and consular processing.
• Experience representing asylum seekers before the immigration court and the Board of Immigration Appeals.
• At least 2 years of experience providing supervision to attorneys and/or DOJ accredited representatives in a legal services context.
• Program management experience preferred.
• Experience managing and administering private and public grants, including grant proposals, budgeting, and reporting.
• Fundraising experience preferred.
• Strong legal supervision skills and superb legal judgment.
• Ability to oversee and provide supervision on a reasonably high case volume and work under time pressure.
• Experience organizing and facilitating immigration workshops and immigration information sessions.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills.
• Collaborative leader who will thrive on working in partnership with local leadership and the HQ Legal Services Technical Unit.
• Bilingual in one or more languages preferred (e.g., Spanish, French, Arabic).
• Deep commitment to working with humanitarian immigrants.
• Trauma‑informed and sensitive listening and communication skills.
• Desire to join a team working to protect due process and immigrant rights.
• Must have ability to travel frequently in and around the service area to engage with clients and community partners.

COMPENSATION

Pay Rate: $95,000 - $109,000. Ranges are based on factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

US BENEFITS

We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20‑25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $163 per month, dental starting at $6.50 per month, vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403(b) retirement savings plan with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

All IRC workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.