Director of Litigation

About the role

The Director, Litigation is a subject matter expert that leads and executes litigation work at NILC. They are responsible for leading litigation efforts to protect the rights of low-income immigrant communities in coordination with NILC’s other core strategies of policy analysis, movement power building, strategic communications, and narrative change.

Responsibilities

• Leadership and Strategy (30%): Work collaboratively with the Legal Management Team to develop and execute strategies that integrate litigation with narrative change, movement power building, and campaign tactics in support of broader immigrants' rights movement strategies.
• Litigation (50%): 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.
• Management and Supervision (20%): Supervise, support, and mentor a team of attorneys, paralegals, and fellows, including in the development of both litigation and professional skills.

Qualifications

• Commitment to NILC’s Mission, Values and Approach - Commitment to NILC’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.
• Collaborative, proactive, and action-oriented working style with a strong service mentality promoting mutual accountability and inspiring trust and confidence from colleagues, other NILC team members, and NILC leaders alike.
• Desire and ability to integrate legal practice with organizing, policy change, and other adjacent work.
• 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.
• Litigation Leadership Skills - A seasoned litigator who can build cases from beginning to end, can handle all aspects of litigation and is comfortable leading and managing litigation teams across states and issue areas.
• 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, interpret and 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.
• Team Management Skills - Ability to recognize each team member's unique background and perspective to achieve team goals in a positive and motivating working environment.
• Ability to support an all-remote team through clear communication and meaningful feedback.
• 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.
• Commitment to respectful, healthy practices related to work and a recognition of the commitments and needs of team members outside of typical working hours.

Required Qualifications

• 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.
• 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 assess staffing needs of litigation in order to build case teams.
• 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.