Immigration Attorney - Program Director

Kentucky Equal Justice Center (KEJC) seeks an attorney with immigration law experience to direct its vibrant immigration law program at Maxwell Street Legal Clinic (MSLC) in Lexington. The Program Director Attorney will engage in:

Legal representation: a variety of immigration proceedings including family-based petitions, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, citizenship, and U and T visa applications

Program management: oversight of case intake and our online case management system; staff training and supervision; program-related fundraising and grant reporting

Outreach and education: provision of clear, reliable information to practitioners, the public, and immigrant communities about immigration and immigration law

The position may also involve occasional policy advocacy around immigration-related matters, primarily at the state level. The position is full time.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Program Director Attorney will:

• Supervise initial intake interviews of clients
• Review intake information and determine whether to accept representation
• Represent clients before federal agencies and occasionally in state court
• Conduct limited litigation and appellate work
• Engage in occasional policy advocacy before administrative and legislative bodies
• Conduct outreach to client communities
• Provide education to service providers, the legal community, and the community at large
• Provide technical assistance on immigration law matters to attorneys and advocates
• Participate in program-related grant writing, reporting, and fundraising efforts
• Train, supervise, and manage MSLC staff, law school interns, and volunteers
• Oversee day-to-day operations of MSLC, including intake and case management systems, with supervision and direction from KEJC Executive Director and Senior Counsel

Education and Experience:

Juris Doctor with at least three years of immigration law experience preferred, plus active bar membership (preferably in Kentucky).

Additional Qualifications:

• Knowledge of issues affecting low-income immigrants
• Excellent research and analytical skills
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively verbally and in writing
• Experience with case management, program, and grants management
• Experience designing and delivering trainings for diverse audiences
• Experience supervising non-attorneys and volunteers
• Experience working with diverse constituencies
• Self-motivation and ability to take initiative
• Strong commitment to social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Active membership in a state bar and willingness to seek admission to the Kentucky bar if not a member

Location:

Maxwell Street Legal Clinic is in Lexington, Kentucky, between downtown and the University of Kentucky Campus.

Salary and Benefits:

Salary based on experience and our salary scale. Illustrative examples: $57,905 at three years, $66,280 at 10 years. Generous fringe benefits include health and retirement, dental, life and disability coverage. KEJC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, but we provide health and retirement benefits through participation in state and county employee plans.

Application Instructions:

Please email a cover letter, resume, short writing sample and a list of three references to:

Heather Darby, Operations Manager
heather@kyequaljustice.org

References should include an email address and phone number.

Application Deadline:

Open until filled. Note that we will interview promising candidates on a rolling basis.

For more information:

Richard Seckel, Director, Kentucky Equal Justice Center
201 West Short Street, Suite 310
Lexington, KY, 40507.

Email: richseckel@kyequaljustice.org.
Phone: 859-233-3057 or 859-312-8491.