Supervising Attorney, Immigration Unit

SUPERVISING ATTORNEY – IMMIGRATION UNIT

The Justice Center of Southeast Massachusetts (JCSM), a subsidiary of South Coastal Counties Legal Services, Inc. (SCCLS), a non-profit legal services program providing free civil legal assistance to eligible low-income residents, seeks an additional Supervising Attorney for its robust and passionate immigration unit. The unit provides representation in a range of cases with a primary focus on humanitarian-based relief. In addition to direct representation, the unit engages in community outreach and education, community-based clinics, and systemic advocacy on issues affecting client communities in the region.

Reporting to the Program Manager of the JCSM and the Director of Immigration Advocacy, the Supervising Attorneys will work with the immigration unit to provide critical legal services to the immigrant community of the region.

About the Organization:

SCCLS and its subsidiary, the Justice Center of Southeast Massachusetts (JCSM), with a combined staff of nearly 80, is the principal provider of free, civil legal aid to low-income residents of Southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod, and the islands of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. SCCLS law offices are in Hyannis, New Bedford, and Fall River. The Justice Center is located in Brockton. The organization’s core mission is to achieve justice for eligible clients through community-based advocacy and the delivery of legal services in the following priority areas: housing, public benefits, elder law, domestic relations, employment, education, immigration, and consumer matters.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Working with the Director of Immigration Advocacy, the Supervising Attorneys will:

• Supervise, support, and oversee the direct client work of the immigration staff.
• Help foster and maintain a collaborative and inclusive team environment.
• Support and mentor advocates in their professional development.
• Assist in developing/revising standards of practice for the immigration staff.
• Ensure staff adherence to program and case handling standards, funder requirements, and the highest professional standards using regular case review and other techniques.
• Collaborate with the Director and the unit to innovate and implement different models of delivering legal services.
• Assist in overseeing the immigration unit’s community outreach efforts.
• Engage with community groups and the statewide justice community to respond to emerging trends and changing policies affecting the immigrant community of the State and region.
• Maintain a small and strategic caseload.
• Together with the Director, engage with the organization’s leadership team to communicate the needs of the unit and promote the work of the unit.
• Assist the Program Manager and Director of Immigration Advocacy with grant compliance.
• Other responsibilities as assigned by the Director of Immigration Advocacy or Program Manager.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Admitted to practice in Massachusetts or able to seek admission.
• A minimum of five years of experience as a practicing attorney.
• Substantive expertise in immigration law, including experience with advocacy before administrative agencies, the immigration court, and family court.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Experience supervising and/or mentoring, including demonstrated ability to supervise across differences.
• Experience working with client communities and staff from diverse backgrounds, including working with individuals who have experienced trauma and with limited English proficiency.
• Ability to foster inclusivity, equity, and humility when working with clients and colleagues and when supervising staff.
• Commitment to race equity, anti-racism, and economic justice in the workplace and in providing legal services.
• Fluency in Portuguese, Spanish, Cape Verdean Creole, or Haitian Creole desirable.

Compensation and Benefits:

JCSM salaries are based on a collective bargaining agreement scale with yearly standard increases, and a multi-lingual increment for demonstrated language skills. The starting salary for attorneys with no experience is $72,500 annually. Supervisors are offered a management increment. Generous benefits package including excellent health and dental coverage, life insurance, disability, flexible spending account, 403(b), law school loan forgiveness, and paid leave.

Apply:

Submit letter of interest, resume, and legal writing sample by email to LThelin@sccls.org with Subject Line: Sup Atty Imm. For timely and comprehensive consideration, applications should be received by October 31, 2024. Application reviews will begin immediately.

South Coastal Counties Legal Services and its subsidiary are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate on the basis of age, class, color, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender, national origin, race,

sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression. We welcome applicants from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences. We strive to foster a healthy, inclusive environment where all staff, clients, and community members are valued, empowered, and recognized.