SENIOR COUNSEL AND DIRECTOR OF LEGAL SERVICES

A unique opportunity for a committed, resourceful lawyer to lead a team reinventing the immigration legal services program for the leading provider of such services to torture survivors residing in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

TASSC BACKGROUND

The Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition (TASSC) International is the only U.S. organization of its kind founded by and for survivors of torture. Since our founding in 1998, TASSC has provided services to survivors of torture from 72 countries. Our mission is to end the practice of torture wherever it occurs and support survivors as they empower themselves, their families, and communities.

POSITION OVERVIEW

TASSC is looking for a Senior Counsel and Director of Legal Services to direct the Legal Services Program (LSP) on a full-time basis, to provide immigration related legal representation for survivors of torture, and to supervise the LSP team. The position reports directly to the TASSC Executive Director. This is a full-time (37.5 hours/week) position, but flexible scheduling is possible. TASSC is a hybrid workplace, with some services provided directly to survivors at our offices in Washington, DC, but with significant remote work contemplated. Our LSP is in transition, and the new Senior Counsel and Director of Legal Services will be the leader in shaping and directing the provision of high-quality legal services to survivors.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Direct Legal Representation      

• Legal representation to a caseload of affirmative and defensive asylum cases, and other related cases for asylum seekers and asylees such as work permits, asylee adjustment of status, and asylee relative petitions. Services may include other humanitarian and family-based immigration legal services for survivors including but not limited to TPS, VAWA, T visas, U visas, and family-based adjustment of status;
• Identify, analyze, and respond to legal and/or procedural changes that affect survivors of torture and other asylum seekers, including statutory changes, executive orders, proposed regulations, and decisions of the Board of Immigration Appeals or the federal courts.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Oversee provision of free legal services by up to two LSP attorneys;
• Relaunch TASSC’s Pro Bono program;
• Provide supervision and advice on all cases to LSP staff, including staff attorneys, paralegal/legal assistant, legal interns, fellows, and pro bono attorneys;
• Hold regular meetings with each staff member to review work, carry out periodic performance reviews, and help staff identify and achieve goals;
• Ensure all staff and interns receive thorough training and continuing legal education; 
• Ensure legal ethical rules are understood and followed  
• Provide guidance and updates on developments in immigration law to all survivors and TASSC staff, volunteers, and interns, including periodic Know Your Rights presentations for survivors.

Administrative

• Ensure best practices and standards are followed for our electronic case management system, master client data list, physical file maintenance, and all internal LSP organizational systems;
• Coordinate LSP services with other TASSC staff and teams;
• Work with LSP to determine case priorities for evaluations;
• Prepare and submit regular grant reports documenting compliance with requirements under the various grants that fund LSP;
• Identify need for staff positions; advertise for, onboard, and train new staff;
• Represent TASSC at meetings of other legal service providers in the DC Metro Area.

QUALIFICATIONS & JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Law degree (JD or LLM) from an ABA-accredited US institution and admission to any state or DC bar;
• Three years of experience in direct representation of asylum seekers, preferably survivors of torture or serious trauma, before USCIS Asylum Offices and EOIR Immigration Court. Experience before the Board of Immigration Appeals or Federal Court a plus;
• Management experience in immigration legal services, or similar experience;
• Commitment to working with survivors of torture and/or trauma, and commitment to client centered, trauma-informed, zealous advocacy;
• Commitment to well-being of staff, and commitment to understand and try to prevent vicarious trauma and burnout;
• Ability to communicate patiently, respectfully, and empathetically with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including survivors coming from many different countries;
• Ability to manage numerous tasks simultaneously, work under pressure, and identify and properly analyze legal issues, all while meeting deadlines;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills characterized by clarity and accuracy;
• A commitment to learning about the effects of torture on survivors, their families, and their communities;
• Experience working with interpreters and translators desired;
• Fluency in a second language a plus (particularly Amharic, French, or Arabic).

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Flexibility, Sense of humor, Resourcefulness
• Personal integrity in handling ethically complex and confidential situations
• Self-motivated and comfortable working in stressful situations
• Strong research and analysis skills
• Trauma-informed and sensitive listening and communication skills

SALARY: Between $80,000 - $90,000 USD / year, plus $5,000 bonus following completion of first year.

BENEFITS: TASSC provides a competitive benefits package which includes 80% covered medical and dental, 403B, Ruth 403B options, 120 hours vacation in the first year, 96 hours personal/sick time, 13 paid holidays, and a week off between Christmas and New Year’s.

LOCATION: TASSC International located at: 4121 Harewood Road, Ste. B Washington, DC 20017, United States.  Our workplace includes both remote and in-person components. 

To Apply to This Job: Please send updated Resume + Cover Letter + 3 References to info@tassc.org.

TASSC provides a competitive benefits package which includes 80% covered medical and dental, 403B, Ruth 403B options, 120 hours vacation in the first year, 96 hours personal/sick time, 13 paid holidays, and a week off between Christmas and New Year’s.