Legal Director

Profile

Legal Director

The candidate will responsible for overseeing the legal department to ensure the provision of high-quality immigration legal services. As a member of the senior management team, the Legal Director will work closely with the Executive Director to increase efficiencies and strengthen the culture of commitment, engagement and service to the most vulnerable immigrants and refugees. Provide organizational leadership and operational vision to CARECEN consistent with the organization’s strategy and evolving community needs. Provide strategic input to evaluate potential alliances, expansion of existing services, and new lines of service. Provide leadership in development of inter-team communication and cohesiveness, sustaining culture and supporting staff during organizational growth. Develop and maintain relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including CBOs, government officers, elected officials, and funders, among others. Represent CARECEN at meetings regarding development and operations to maintain and grow relationships, attract resources and enhance CARECEN’s reputation. Help guide organization’s immigration policy advocacy efforts; analyze and propose changes to relevant local, state and federal legislation affecting immigrants and refugees; review and draft proposed legislation affecting immigrants at local, state and federal level; present and defend legislative proposals sponsored by organization in various settings. Act as organizational spokesperson on immigration law and policy matters; conduct media interviews in Spanish and English on breaking immigration law and policy developments; develop communications strategy in coordination with senior management team and staff. Facilitate organization-wide staff meetings when Executive Director is unavailable. Help guide and design legal department program structures. Monitor professional development of legal staff, suggest and assign additional training when appropriate. Proactively develop qualifications for leadership around emerging practice areas and topics that relate to the operational excellence of CARECEN, including anticipating future trends. Conduct written and in-person performance evaluations of managing attorneys; support managing attorneys in conducting performance evaluations of their team members, including improvement planning and disciplinary action for team members. Enhance organizational excellence by establishing benchmarks, timelines, and resources needed to achieve strategic goals, proactively recommending and driving improvements as needed; set standards for accountability and measurements of success. Monitor service deliverables on an ongoing basis; prepare, review and submit grant reports to various funders. Modify and refine legal policies and procedures to improve quality, efficiency, and client and staff satisfaction. Direct citizenship education program and funding. Prepare legal department budget in collaboration with finance manager, development, and service outcomes, as well as immigration law and policy developments that affect the organization and community. Represent clients in limited matters applicants before DHS, EOIR, and appeals. Conduct presentations on immigration law and policy for community members and other stakeholders, including social service providers, funders and elected officials. Develop and maintain relationships with CBOs, law schools, foundations, government and other organizations. Participate in grant writing, including planning of grant proposals, drafting and reviewing drafts by development staff, conducting primary grant writing duties when necessary. Facilitate ongoing meetings with managing attorneys, as well as department-wide meetings. Proven experience in a non-profit organization or immigration law firm. At least 10 years of immigration law experience required, including success in non-profit management (or equivalent in a for-profit role); and experience working with an Executive Director and Senior Management Team. Law degree and active admission to the bar of any state (CA strongly preferred with willingness to test for CA bar). Excellent legal skills and broad knowledge of immigration law. Demonstrated commitment to mission and goals of CARECEN. Excellent written and oral communication skills. Commitment to working in a diverse professional environment. Ability to develop and implement innovative models of service delivery with limited resources and leverage other community resources. Ability to effectively work, communicate and build rapport with diverse groups of individuals, including representatives of government, foundations, English/Spanish media, and other grassroots organizations. Fluency in spoken and written Spanish are required.

Company info

CARECEN
Marlon Fuentes
2845 W. 7th St.
Los Angeles
California
United States 90005
Website : http://www.carecen-la.org