2023 Managing Attorney

The Legal Clinic (TLC) is seeking candidates for a managing attorney position focusing on immigration law practice. This full-time position is based in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, with some work-from-home flexibility and a typical weekday schedule with occasional weekend and evening activities throughout the year. The managing attorney reports to the executive director and manages a small legal team of staff and interns/volunteers.

TLC’s mission is to ensure justice for low-income immigrants and migrants in Hawaiʻi through high-quality immigration legal services, education, and advocacy. TLC was incorporated as an independent, secular 501(c)3 nonprofit in 2019 and is the Hawaiʻi affiliate of the National Immigration Law and Justice Network. TLC serves clients throughout Hawaiʻi, with a staff of 7. See www.tlchawaii.org for more information.

RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES

The managing staff attorney is primarily responsible for the direct representation of low-income immigrant clients seeking representation in a variety of immigration law matters, with a focus on representing clients seeking asylum, removal defense, and other forms of humanitarian relief in immigration court. The managing attorney will bring not only legal expertise and a passion for immigrant justice but also the ability to motivate and mentor a small but growing team of legal professionals and volunteers. This includes the following duties:

  • Using client-centered trauma-informed techniques, providing high-quality legal services to clients in all aspects of representation, from interviewing to litigation.

  • Manage a limited caseload of clients who are in removal proceedings and provide direct representation before the Honolulu Immigration Court, the Board of Immigration Appeals, and possibly the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Prior experience in removal defense is highly valued.

  • Prepare immigration filings before USCIS, EOIR, ICE, CBP, state and district courts as needed.

  • Supervises a staff attorney or works closely alongside a peer managing attorney to develop legal strategy, ensure client-centered service, develop and apply program evaluation methods, and grow the program over time.

  • Provide individual supervision, training, and support to legal assistants, student interns, pro bono attorneys, volunteers, and other staff as the organization grows. Set clear goals and performance expectations, give regular feedback, help prioritize workloads, and troubleshoot challenges. Ensure effective integration of internships and volunteers across programs.

  • Manage client documentation, update the case management system, and assist with data reporting.

  • Monitor intake and screening procedures, case acceptance policies, and caseload targets and limits.

  • Stay up to date on rapidly changing immigration laws and policies.  Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with community-based organizations, the private bar, and nonprofit legal providers.

  • Conduct educational presentations about immigration policies and immigrant justice matters for public audiences and/or for fundraising purposes.

  • Serve as a strong advocate for immigrant rights.

  • Advise the board and other colleagues on legal trends pertinent to the organization and its mission.

  • Engage with the ILJ Network through monthly meetings (by phone and/or video), an email list-serv, and annual in-person meetings.

  • Perform additional tasks as needed to support the broader efforts of the team and organization.

  • Travel to neighbor islands and occasionally to national conferences outside of Hawaiʻi.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • A law degree (JD or LLM) from an American Bar Association-accredited school is required.

  • At least three years of experience providing direct representation for individuals seeking asylum and other forms of humanitarian relief in immigration court and before USCIS.

  • Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.

  • Strong people management and interpersonal skills. At least two years of supervisory experience, preferably managing legal services.

  • Strong case management skills and exceptional legal research and legal writing skills.

  • Passion for immigrant justice with a sincere commitment to working on behalf of low-income immigrants.

  • Demonstrated ability to work sensitively with clients, staff, and volunteers from a range of socio-economic backgrounds, ethnicities, nationalities, lifestyles, cultures, political orientations, and faiths.

  • Team-oriented personality with superb organizational skills to manage multiple responsibilities and projects and a positive, professional attitude.

  • Ability to take initiative and work well under pressure.

  • Ability to communicate clearly, persuasively, logically, and succinctly—both verbally and in writing. Strong active listening skills.

  • Demonstrated ability to remain flexible and adapt well to change.

  • Excellent attention to detail.

  • Fluency in English is required.

  • Experience using MS Office Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) and other online platforms.

    Desired but not required:

  • Prior public interest or nonprofit experience.

  • Work-based and/or lived experience in Hawaiʻi.

  • Members in good standing with the Hawaiʻi State Bar Association are given priority consideration.

  • Experience working with immigrant populations and in multi-cultural settings is highly desirable.

  • Experience with case management systems, data management, and report writing helpful.

  • Bilingual abilities in one or more languages of the immigrant or migrant communities in Hawaiʻi (including Tagalog, Ilocano, Spanish, Tongan, Chuukese, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, and Thai).

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

This position is full-time. The salary range is $70k-$90k (full-time, annual), depending on experience and qualifications. A robust benefits package includes health insurance, 401(k) benefits after trial period, unlimited paid time off, flexible schedule, parking subsidy, and professional development opportunities.

TO APPLY: Please submit a resume to jobs@thelegalclinichawaii.org. The position is open until filled, with interviews beginning in November 2023. Those interviewed will also be asked to provide a writing sample and professional references.

The Legal Clinic is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic background, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, or disability.