The American Bar Association (ABA) was founded on a commitment to advance the rule of law in the United States and beyond by providing practical resources for legal professionals, conducting law school accreditation, developing model ethics codes and more. Today, the ABA remains a member-based organization that works to ensure access to justice for all, a fair legal process, and respect for the rule of law at home and across the globe.

The ABA is committed to service and refining the standards that guide the legal profession. ABA staff are provided multiple types of continuing education and career development opportunities. Your work will help eliminate bias, enhance diversity, and advance the rule of law throughout the US and around the world.

The ABA recognizes the value staff contribute to our success through a generous benefits package that protects their health and their financial security. The ABA's wide array of benefit offerings include 401(k), medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, health spending accounts, supplemental life and disability insurance, prepaid legal programs, and a complimentary membership to the American Bar Association, which offers additional benefits.

Flexible/hybrid work arrangements may be available for residents of CA, DC, IL, IN, IA, MD, MI, MN, TX, VA, and WI. Residency requirements may apply. ABA employees are eligible to apply for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).

Job Summary/General Purpose of Job

• Accountable for management and oversight of a legal program or process in accordance with guidance provided by the Executive Office for Immigration Review or another funder. This position will require frequent provision of legal services to detained and/or non-detained individuals who may have experienced trauma.

Principal Duties/Job Responsibilities

• Directs and supervises legal services provided to individuals in removal proceedings. Responsible for coordinating and planning the different levels of legal services to be provided at the immigration court, the detention center, and/or related to removal proceedings with stakeholders and in line with the funder contract.
• Collaborates with supervising or managing attorney to establish protocols and policies on service delivery, detention facility and/or court staff interaction, contract and grant compliance, immigration court representation, data reporting, and the development of complementary services.
• Ensures that legal services are provided in accordance with law, including relevant legal ethics and rules of professional responsibility, and in accordance with deadlines and requirements established by funding agreements.
• Building and maintaining relationships with multiple stakeholders including: legal service providers, advocacy groups and funders, and governmental and non-governmental partners. Serves as primary point of contact with multiple stakeholders and funders.
• Directs program activities to comply with contractual and ethical obligations. Collaborates with grants team to complete budgeting and reporting requirements.
• Responsible for supervision of legal program staff. Must stay current with changing immigration laws and procedures as they apply to individuals in removal proceedings.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Required Education, Qualifications, Experience

• Must have a bachelor's degree. Must be currently able to represent respondents in immigration court, either as an attorney or a fully accredited representative with an office of the American Bar Association.
• Prior experience managing funder relationships including experience in removal cases.
• Two years prior immigration law experience, including experience in removal cases.
• Experience supervising employees which must have included goal setting, performance management/feedback, and hiring/termination of staff.
• Intermediate proficiency with Adobe and Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, OneDrive, Teams).
• Must be familiar with conducting virtual meetings, training, and observations on software such as Zoom, Teams, etc.
• Must have reliable transportation to travel between office and off-site work locations.
• This position may require the provision of legal services to detained individuals at an immigration detention center in addition to legal services to people who are in removal proceedings before the immigration court generally. This position may require the ability to travel to and enter immigration detention centers.
• In accordance with the federal regulation, a background check may be required for this position.

Preferred Education, Qualifications, Experience

• Prior work experience working with immigrant communities, incarcerated individuals, and individuals who have mental illnesses.
• Written and verbal fluency in English and Spanish.
• Previous experience representing immigrants in removal proceedings.

Physical Requirements

• Typical office setting, primarily stationary, light lifting.

Extent of Travel Required in the Job

• As a normal course of business, this job will typically require travel of less than 20% of the time.
• May require frequent local travel including visits to an immigration detention center and immigration court.

• San Diego, CA, USA