Legal Director

The National Immigration Law Center (NILC) is seeking applications and nominations for the position of Legal Director. Established in 1979, NILC is the leading advocacy organization in the U.S. exclusively dedicated to defending and advancing the rights and opportunities of low-income immigrants and their loved ones. NILC’s mission is grounded in the belief that everyone living in the U.S.—regardless of race, gender/gender identity, immigration, and economic status—should have equal access to justice, resources, educational, and economic opportunities that enable them to achieve their full human potential. NILC is committed to advancing its mission—which intersects race, immigration status, and class—through a racial, economic, and gender justice and equity orientation. NILC seeks to achieve just laws and policies that address systemic inequities, create narrative and culture change for an inclusive and equitable society, and build a healthier and more powerful movement. Over the years, NILC has been at the forefront of many of the country’s greatest challenges when it comes to immigration issues, including landmark legal decisions and protecting fundamental human and civil rights. It plays a major leadership role in advancing policies that promote the ability of low-income immigrants to prosper and thrive.

In the aftermath of the 2016 elections, NILC embarked on the development of a new strategic framework that shifted its focus from a policy-centered one to a people-centered and holistic approach towards policy advocacy and impact litigation.  NILC’s roots lie at the intersection of immigration law and laws and policies governing employment, education, health, public benefits, and criminal justice. Building on this, NILC will advance policies that address the immediate, everyday needs of immigrants and systemic changes —rather than hoping that these needs will be met through “comprehensive” federal immigration legislation.

NILC’s legal department plays a critical role in the organization’s refined strategic direction and in ensuring its ability to fight for justice and dignity for low-income immigrants and other vulnerable immigrant communities.  At a point of rapid growth and re-building, the new Legal Director will lead the integration of NILC’s new strategic framework into the legal department’s work, support and manage a passionate and dedicated staff of attorneys and legal professionals to drive the mission and direction of the legal department, and contribute to  the organization-wide continued fight towards long-term transformational change for immigrant communities.

The ideal candidate will be a seasoned litigator with demonstrated experience integrating legal strategy across campaigns and program teams.  She/He/They will be an excellent people manager with an ability to work collaboratively with staff in equitable and inclusive ways that honor the identities, backgrounds, and experiences of the team and colleagues across the organization. The ideal candidate will bring a passion for immigrant justice and a deep commitment to community-centered advocacy and litigation.  She/He/They will be a charismatic partner with proven relationship building skills to work and communicate with other organizations and partners in the immigrants’ rights space.  The director must have a law degree, and federal civil litigation experience is highly preferred.

This position is located in Los Angeles, CA or Washington, D.C.

For a detailed position description, please visit: https://nonprofitprofessionals.com/current-searches-all/nilc-ld.

More information about NILC can be found at: www.nilc.org.