Supervising Attorney for Emerging Issues

POSITION:             Supervising Attorney for Emerging Issues
REPORTS TO:       Director of Network Services
SECTION:              Executive
STATUS:                 Full-Time, Exempt
LOCATION:           Remote
SALARY RANGE: 93K to 95K 

Summary Description: 

The Supervising Attorney for Emerging Issues will oversee CLINIC’s rapid response team, including any potential litigation efforts to ensure timely and strategic responses to emerging immigration policies and executive orders. This role involves analyzing federal policy changes, coordinating rapid response efforts, including public comments, and overseeing CLINIC’s potential involvement (as plaintiff, amicus, or expert) in impact litigation without serving as lead counsel. The Supervising Attorney for Emerging Issues will also facilitate cross-sectional collaboration to create and share critical legal resources and guidance. This position requires strong leadership, legal expertise, and the ability to manage high-priority, time-sensitive legal and policy matters. 

Primary Responsibilities: 

Supervision & Leadership 

• Provide leadership, direction, supervision, consultation, mentoring, and support to direct reports to ensure clarity in roles, responsibilities, and expectations.
• Ensure timely development of rapid response resources. 
• Develop and manage effective relationships with strategic partners on potential opportunities for participation in impact litigation.  
• Serve as the primary point of contact for cross-sectional collaboration, including work with subject matter experts on litigation and rapid response matters.
• Assess staff resources and developmental needs, make recommendations on strategies for meeting those needs, and facilitate access to developmental resources.

Policy Analysis & Rapid Response 

• Monitor executive orders, federal policies, and enforcement actions, analyzing their impact on immigration legal services.
• Oversee the development of policy advisories, practice pointers, and rapid response related resources for CLINIC affiliates and other stakeholders.
• Organize and lead rapid response meetings, ensuring a coordinated approach across CLINIC’s teams.
• Assist the internal sections in creating, disseminating, and periodically reviewing/updating resource materials on immigration policy updates, proposed regulations, executive orders, and litigation summaries as needed. 

Litigation Oversight & Strategy 

• Working closely with the Litigation Attorney, identify and assess litigation opportunities aligned with CLINIC’s mission and network needs.
• Work with the Litigation Attorney to develop litigation strategies, liaise with co-counsel, and track cases affecting affiliates.
• Ensure CLINIC staff and affiliates receive up-to-date guidance on pending litigation impacting immigration law and policy and the provision of immigration legal services.
• Share litigation-related updates with the Executive team and relevant stakeholders on a regular basis.

Cross-Sectional & External Collaboration 

• Facilitate internal coordination between the Rapid Response Team and other CLINIC sections.
• Develop relationships and serve as liaison between external partners, advocacy organizations, and legal service providers.
• Manage internal processes for rapid response and public comments.
• Identify gaps in available resources and propose solutions to enhance CLINIC’s services and relationships, internally and externally.
• Represent CLINIC at conferences, hearings, stakeholder meetings, and in public engagements as needed.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: 

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
• Membership in good standing of the bar of highest court in any state, territory, or the District of Columbia.
• At least five years of experience in immigration law. 
• Knowledge and understanding of Catholic social teaching on immigration and the structure of the Catholic Church
• At least two years of supervisory experience in the immigration / nonprofit sector. 
• Strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills, particularly in response to evolving immigration policies.

• Ability to work independently and manage multiple urgent projects in a high-pressure environment.
• Experience in developing legal resources for legal practitioners.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work across teams and organizations. 
• Comfortable in public speaking scenarios.
• Commitment to social justice and immigrant rights advocacy.
• Spanish language proficiency preferred but not required.

Other

• Demonstrate knowledge of and support the CLINIC’s mission, vision, value statements, policies and procedures, operating instructions, confidentiality standards, and the code of ethical behavior.
• Fulfill CLINIC’s expectations that all staff abide by the following Organization Behaviors   
  1. Commitment to social justice and the mission of CLINIC
  2. Fulfill CLINIC’s expectations for all staff:

• Serve with integrity
• Develop innovative solutions
• Promote learning – for themselves, for their colleagues, and for our network
• Cultivate constructive relationships
• Model stewardship
• Maintain a positive attitude

• Teamwork and cooperation with colleagues
• Resolves conflicts effectively and makes effective decisions
• Occasional travel may be required
• This position may require extended periods of standing and sitting, as well as some repetitive movements, bending and repetitive lifting of significant weight. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the key components and primary responsibilities.

Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity Commitment

CLINIC considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, family responsibilities, religion, age, disability, service in the military, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. CLINIC also provides “reasonable accommodations” to qualified individuals with disabilities, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws. All interested individuals, regardless of background, are encouraged to apply.  

We embrace and encourage our employees’ differences in race, color, ancestry, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, and other characteristics that make our employees unique.

The responsibilities listed above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work to be performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities and duties required of staff members. The job description will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity. Essential and non-essential job functions are subject to modification.

TO APPLY: Please include a cover letter and resume for consideration.