Director, Litigation

About the Organization

Founded in 1979, the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) is the leading advocacy organization in the U.S. exclusively dedicated to defending and advancing the rights and opportunities of low-income immigrants and their loved ones. NILC’s mission is grounded in the belief that everyone living in the U.S. regardless of race, gender/gender identity, immigration status, or economic status — should have equal access to justice, resources, and educational and economic opportunities that enable them to achieve their full human potential. NILC is committed to advancing its mission — which intersects race, immigration status, class and democracy defense — through a racial, economic, and gender justice and equity orientation.

We are looking for entrepreneurial, results-driven, relationship builders who are committed to NILC’s mission and values of racial justice & equity, valuing diversity, fostering partnerships & collaboration, encouraging respect & personal well-being, and striving for transparency, integrity, and honesty.

About the Role

The Director, Litigation (the Director) is a subject matter expert that leads and executes the Legal Department’s litigation work at NILC. As a vital part of NILC’s day-to-day work, the Director is responsible for leading NILC’s litigation efforts in protecting the rights of low-income immigrant communities. The Director is an experienced civil litigator and legal advocate who successfully leads litigation teams in the identification, development, and conduct of impact litigation and legal advocacy in coordination with NILC’s other core strategies of policy analysis, movement power building, strategic communications, and narrative change.

The Litigation Director supports the Executive Vice President, Advocacy, the Vice President, Litigation and Legal Strategy and other Directors across the Advocacy team to set the overall litigation strategy. They are responsible for a mix of substantive and strategic work, supervision, and departmental operations by operationalizing strategy and work to maximize the team’s efficiency, productivity, litigation skills, and performance. The Director works in close coordination with counterparts in the Policy, Strategy and Partnerships, Strategic Communications, and Development teams, NILC’s Immigrant Justice Fund (501(c)4), and other local and national partners to advance NILC’s goals via litigation within the strategic framework. The Direction, Litigation will lead the execution of a robust litigation strategy for immigrant justice that is people- and community-centered and grounded in intersectional rights and needs of low-income immigrants in the United States.

This role is not a member of the Bargaining Unit.

The Litigation Director will be responsible for providing leadership and driving success in the following key areas:

Specific Position Responsibilities

Leadership and Strategy (50%)

o Collaborates with the Vice President, Litigation and Legal Strategy in the development and execution of strategic litigation strategies , providing guidance and support to team members driving the work in a way that integrates litigation, narrative change, movement power building, and campaign strategies together with litigation strategies.

o In collaboration with the VP, Litigation and Legal Strategy, the Director, Legal Strategy, and the Deputy Legal Director(s), oversee the implementation of a robust impact litigation and legal advocacy strategy in support of broader immigrants’ rights movement strategies; develop legal theories and cases; leads teams litigating cases.

o Leads litigation teams in preparing pleadings, motions, and briefs; conducts discovery; present oral arguments; conduct trial and handle appeals. As needed, assume greater case responsibilities depending on the evolving needs of the case team.

o Collaborate with counterparts in the Policy, Strategy and Partnerships, Strategic Communications, and Development teams to effectively leverage the resources and talents across the organization.

o May serve as a spokesperson with the media, testify before Congress or other policymaking bodies based on area of expertise, and present at national conferences or other public speaking engagements that further NILC’s mission and litigation strategies.

o Engage with key stakeholders, including movement allies, donors, and board members, including providing periodic reports to the board of directors.

Litigation (30%)

o Strategically, creatively, and boldly oversee and advance client-driven, community-grounded impact litigation in combination with NILC’s other core strategies of policy advocacy, communications, and movement building to advance NILC’s vision and mission.

o Lead litigation on behalf of NILC, including serving as lead counsel on litigation as needed.

o Serve as a subject matter expert in one or more of the areas NILC litigates in, including access to healthcare, access to education, democracy defense, workers’ rights, or enforcement.

o Provide litigation analysis regarding policies, executive orders, legislation, and other legal actions to support campaigns and programs that advance NILC’s mission.

o Identify potential new litigation and play a role in developing those cases or working with others in the department to do so.

o Represent NILC and its clients in complex cases that are strategic to the collective goals of NILC and its movement partners.

o Supervise, support, and mentor Staff Attorneys, Senior Staff Attorneys, and NILC Legal Fellows in the identification, development, and litigation of complex civil cases in federal and state courts.

o Partner with Advocacy directors and campaign leads to ensure that the Legal Department’s work is integrated and well-coordinated across the departments and key partners.

o Develop and maintain strong and collaborative relationships with law firms, law school clinics, co-counsel, and other coalition partners.

Management, Supervision, and Operations (20%)

o In collaboration with members of the Legal Management Team (LMT), develop and operationalize clear and transparent protocols for the litigation work and operation of the Legal team.

o Coordinate with the Vice President, Litigation & Legal Strategy and LMT to ensure professional growth of the Legal department staff to identify skill gaps, support training, and reinforce and enhance litigation skills of the Legal department.

o Provide guidance and support in litigation and in the integration of NILC’s core strategies, development, and growth of external relationships.

o Oversee legal intake process, case approval process, and case staffing. Supervise, support, and mentor Staff Attorneys, Senior Staff Attorneys, and NILC Legal Fellows in the performance of their job duties, including the development of both litigation skills and professional skills.

o Work closely with Advocacy supervisors, other Advocacy Directors, and workgroup/ project campaign, and litigation leaders to create and maintain employee work schedules to ensure representation from the Legal department on areas of current or potential litigation.

o Provide litigation mentorship and ensure ongoing professional development of Legal department staff.

o Share feedback regularly on workgroup members’ performance, goals, strengths & weaknesses, and more to their respective supervisors to support the growth and development of team members at all levels.

o Proactively report to leadership about programmatic developments, administrative needs and broader institutional concerns, opportunities, and needs, while identifying and collaborating on constructive solutions.

o Support the activities of the Development Department, as needed.

o May be a part of or lead cross functional/departmental projects using the MOCHA framework/methodology

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Supports the recruitment, interviewing, and hiring of staff and oversees staff onboarding & training.
• Oversees the daily workflow of direct reports.
• Acts as a coach and mentor including providing constructive and timely feedback to foster a collaborative environment that develops strengths, improves weaknesses, and encourages creative and constructive problem-solving.
• Actively manages direct and indirect reports using applicable performance management software including documenting regular check-ins, goal progress, and any other relevant information in the system for performance and coaching purposes.
• Handles discipline and performance issues in accordance with organizational policy.
• Directly manages employees with possibility for additional staff.
• Manages outside consultants, third party administrators, and vendors.

Shared Organization Responsibilities

• Champions NILC & IJF’s mission of advancing the rights of immigrants with low income by demonstrating a commitment to human rights, and racial, economic, and social justice
• Attends and actively participates in NILC meetings at the organization, department, project, and individual level
• Develops relationships and supports NILC and IJF colleagues across all teams, recognizing that each individual brings a unique background and perspective to the work and assuming good intent from each other.
• Follows through on commitments acting with a clear sense of ownership individually and collectively by taking personal responsibility for decisions, actions, and failures, establishing clear responsibilities and processes for monitoring work and measuring results, and designing feedback loops into work.
• Learns quickly when facing new situations by experimenting to find fresh solutions, taking on the challenge of unfamiliar tasks, and extracting lessons learned from failures and mistakes.
• Acts with integrity by following through on commitments, being direct and truthful, keeping confidences, and showing consistency between words and actions.
• Commits to centering NILC’s values of racial justice & equity, valuing diversity, fostering partnerships & collaboration, encouraging respect & personal well-being, and striving for transparency, integrity, and honesty in all decisions and actions

In recognition of the fluidity of the work and ecosystem that NILC operates in, other duties may be assigned depending on organizational need.

What We’re Looking for in This Role

• Commitment to NILC & IJF’s mission of advancing the rights of immigrants with low income and a demonstrated commitment to human rights, racial, economic, and social justice, and equity, diversity, inclusion, and justice for all.
• A seasoned litigator who can build cases from beginning to end, can handle every part of the litigation and is comfortable leading and managing litigation teams across states and issue areas.
• Collaborative, proactive, and action-oriented working style with a strong service mentality promoting mutual accountability and inspiriting trust and confidence from colleagues, other NILC team members, and NILC leaders alike.
• Sound judgment in decision-making, high integrity, and utmost respect for confidentiality.
• Self-drive, motivation, and high expectations of self.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills: ability to analyze and interpret as well as draft documents such as reports, correspondence, and presentations for various audiences.
• Self-starter with a strong strategic ability to move daily tasks forward in alignment with NILC’s broader organizational needs and goals.
• Commitment to legal practice that empowers collective vision and action by low-income immigrants and their loved ones.
• Desire and ability to integrate legal practice with organizing, policy change, and other adjacent work.
• Ability to consistently integrate deep understanding of key racial equity concepts into work projects and interactions by addressing structural implications and disproportionate impacts of policies, activities, and decisions on race, class, and other group identities within the context of job responsibilities and projects.
• A track record of partnership and coalition building with diverse groups of external partners, including law firms, organizers, community leaders, and other legal advocacy organizations; proven success engaging with diverse communities and centering their experience and voices.
• Excellent writing and public-speaking skills, with the ability to make complex legal and advocacy issues accessible to all audiences.
• Ability to recognize each team member's unique background and perspective to achieve team goals in a positive and motivating working environment.
• Ability to develop team through coaching, feedback, exposure and stretch assignments.
• An inclusive management style that places deep value on diverse perspectives and emphasizes the development and growth of team members and encourages learning and continued improvement.
• Humility and a can-do attitude.

Qualifications Required

Please upload a cover letter and a writing sample

• Juris Doctor from an accredited school and an active member in good standing with a State Bar.
• At least 10 years of combined experience in litigation at a nonprofit, social justice organization or law firm that includes substantial experience in federal courts, appellate practice, with 4+ years of leadership/management experience including legal supervision, case development, and project management.
• Demonstrated experience in initiating and leading litigation in federal courts.
• Demonstrated ability to independently access staffing needs to undertake litigation based on the potential needs of litigation.
• Demonstrated experience in immigration, education, healthcare, labor/employment, and/or civil rights law showing excellent skills and innovative strategies.
• Proficiency with in-office and virtual environments and software such as MS Office, Westlaw, PACER, and virtual collaboration tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience using multiple tools – including impact litigation, policy advocacy, and narrative change, to further a cause, ideally in a social justice context.
• Proficiency in a second language. Fluency in more than one language is desirable.
• Familiarity with Clio or similar case management platforms.

At NILC, we know that talented people may have different backgrounds or experiences, and if your education and experience doesn’t exactly align with the above that’s okay! NILC believes that diversity in all dimensions of the organization supports and bolsters the innovative thinking essential to its success and is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all qualified applicants. NILC’s goal is for our people to reflect the communities in which we live and serve and to ensure representation of people of color, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities in our organization. We encourage you to apply and let us know in your cover letter why you are qualified and the right fit for this role and NILC.

Work Environment

Location & Travel:

NILC's office is located in Washington, D.C. For this role, up to 30% of overnight interstate travel may be required; travel is typically quarterly to the NILC Washington, DC office or another location within the US for 3-5 nights.

Remote work locations are as follows: (Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Georgia, Maryland, Montana, North Carolina, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin). To be considered, applicants must live in one of the work locations.

Compensation:

NILC’s compensation philosophy is to pay competitively in the nonprofit sector and ensure equity across the organization. Compensation for the role will depend on several factors including qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience. The salary range for this opportunity $132,664 - $170,000.

NILC provides an incredible benefit package that includes employer-paid healthcare coverage (100% for employees and 75% for dependents), employer-supported dental and vision coverage, a 403(b)-retirement plan including an automatic contribution from NILC, paid parental leave, monthly cell phone and wellness stipends, pre-tax accounts for transit, health, and childcare benefits (FSA), and employer-paid short- and long-term disability and life insurance. NILC also provides a generous paid-time-off policy, 15 holidays and 22 days of paid time off annually (increased to 32 after 2 years of employment).

NILC is also a qualifying public service employer, which means all full-time NILC employees qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. To learn more about the program, please visit https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

Physical Demands

• Remaining in a stationary position, often standing, or sitting for prolonged periods
• Communicating with others to exchange information.
• Repeating motions, like typing or answering a phone, that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.