Immigrant Defenders Law Center · 1 month ago
Managing Attorney/Directing Attorney (Immigration Removal Defense)
Los Angeles, CA
Full-time
Hybrid
Senior Level, Lead/Staff, Director/Executive
$91K/yr - $115K/yr
3+ years expImmigrant Defenders Law Center (ImmDef) is a social justice law firm focused on providing legal services to immigrants. They are seeking a Managing Attorney or Directing Attorney to lead a team in offering high-quality representation in removal defense and related immigration matters.
Law EnforcementLegalNon Profit
Responsibilities
Work collaboratively with ImmDef Directors, Directing Attorneys, Managing Attorneys, and program managers across all ImmDef programs to advance the mission
Mentor, supervise, and support attorneys representing detained and recently released children and adults in removal proceedings and in applications for immigration benefits
Monitor attorney capacity and caseload distribution, including holding regular one-on-one meetings and leading case review sessions
Work collaboratively with staff to develop case strategies and litigation tactics
Provide guidance to ensure high-quality, trauma-informed, client-centered legal representation
Keep abreast of developments in case law, statutory or regulatory changes, and shifts in detention practices
Coordinate and support attorney and legal staff professional development, including ongoing legal trainings, and ensure ImmDef’s training materials reflect current law and policy
Foster and support a mission-driven, team-centered office culture and build systems that support strong internal communication and client engagement
Ensure compliance with ImmDef’s record-keeping, grant requirements, ethical obligations, and case management standards
Work to develop and implement policies, templates, and procedures that improve effectiveness, efficiency, and uniformity in representation
Participate in coalitions and manage stakeholder relationships in support of immigrants’ rights
Maintain a reduced caseload of complex deportation defense matters to model litigation strategy and promote skill development
Support recruitment efforts for legal and program staff within assigned program areas
Perform other duties as assigned by ImmDef leadership
Provide direct supervision to Managing Attorneys, senior legal staff, and team leads
Lead development, implementation, and refinement of program-wide systems, policies, and procedures to strengthen legal quality, efficiency, and consistency across teams
Oversee program operations, including grant compliance, contract reporting, and ensuring alignment with funder requirements
Maintain and expand collaborative relationships with funders, partners, and stakeholders to support program sustainability and growth
Ensure the integration of legal updates, policy changes, and best practices across ImmDef’s training platforms and practice resources
Contribute strategically to organization-wide planning, leadership initiatives, and cross-program coordination
Qualification
Required
Juris Doctorate degree, or foreign law degree and L.L.M
Active California State Bar License or licensure from another U.S. jurisdiction and, if required, willingness to 'waive into' the CA Bar via the Multi-Jurisdictional Practice Program
For Managing Attorneys: Minimum 3 years of legal practice, including 2 years of immigration removal defense experience
For Directing Attorneys: Minimum 6 years of legal practice, including 4 years of immigration removal defense experience, and minimum 2 years of supervisory or management experience, including mentoring attorneys handling complex and high-volume caseloads
Passion for social justice for immigrants required
Preferred
Experience representing children, families, and adults in applications for asylum/WOR/CAT, special immigrant juvenile status, cancellation, waivers, adjustment of status, immigration consequences of criminal convictions, bond, humanitarian parole, post-conviction relief, habeas petitions, BIA appeals, motions to reopen, and/or naturalization before USCIS or EOIR
Experience representing immigrants detained in ICE, CBP and/or ORR custody
Experience representing children and families in guardianship, parentage, child custody, or dependency proceedings in California for SIJS purposes
Experience representing immigrants with juvenile delinquency or criminal history
Familiarity with evolving immigration and border policies
Knowledge of best practices in working with clients with mental competency issues, including those suffering from mental health challenges and children
Strong case management, legal research, and legal writing skills
Willingness to zealously pursue new and untested legal theories
Strong strategic thinking, organizational leadership, and problem-solving skills
Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work under pressure
Experience managing, teaching and mentoring staff
Ability to work collaboratively and to handle multiple demands in a sometimes hectic and busy environment
DACA Recipients encouraged to apply!
Spanish language proficiency is strongly preferred, however those with fluency in other languages may be considered
Benefits
Membership in the National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild (NIPNLG)
$150 towards the professional association of their choice
Opportunities to attend conferences, trainings and seminars/webinars hosted internally and by partner organizations
Covers California Bar Dues (or equivalent in another jurisdiction) for all attorneys
13 paid holidays
1-Week paid winter break between Christmas and New Years
15 vacation days per year
15 Sick Days per year
Health coverage on the first of the month following 30 days on the job
100% of premiums for our base dental and vision plans for our staff members
75% of base plan dental and vision premiums for their dependents
89% of the base plan medical premiums for our staff
69% of the base plan medical premiums for their dependents
FSA plans to help offset the costs of eligible health care expenses for you, your spouse, and your eligible dependents using pre-tax dollars
Dependent Care FSA to pay for eligible dependent care services
Eligible for Parental Leave which includes six (6) weeks of ImmDef paid leave
401(k) plans immediately upon hire
Match 100% of contributions up to 3% of the employee’s salary
Funds are vested immediately
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
Parking stipend of up to $105 per month
Public transportation stipend of up to $100 per month
$15 monthly cell phone stipend
Company
Immigrant Defenders Law Center
Immigrant Defenders Law Center provides and offers legal assistance services to immigrants.
51-200 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Immigrant Defenders Law Center has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (2)
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageTotal Funding
$0.1MKey Investors
Weingart Foundation
2023-09-01Grant· $0.1M
Recent News
2025-07-09
Company data provided by crunchbase