Legal Services of Southern Piedmont is an innovative, progressive, and community-oriented non profit provider of civil legal assistance to low-income persons in the Charlotte NC region; seeks a talented and inspired Director for its Immigrant Justice Program. More information about LSSP is at: www.lssp.org.
The Director of the Immigrant Justice Program (IJP) leads a staff of 4 attorneys, 2 paralegals, and 3 project coordinators, as well as volunteer attorneys and interns. The team provides legal assistance in immigration and civil law, is the largest non-profit provider of legal assistance in the Charlotte Immigration Court and operates the Safe Child Immigrant Project, the Legal Orientation Program for Custodians of Unaccompanied Children, the Safe Release Support Program, and the Immigration Assistance Project at the Charlotte Immigration Court. The Director guides the Program’s systemic reform activites, strategic litigation, and community partnerships, and is the primary spokesperson for LSSP Immigrant Justice Program and immigration law practice.
Responsibilities: The Director has primary responsibility for program management, staff development, and community relationships. The Director will:
• Carry a reduced caseload, representing individuals in immigration and civil law matters;
• Supervise program staff, set expectations for workload and case distribution;
• Participate with development staff in fundraising, grant management, data collection, compliance and reporting;
• Manage program structure, work flow and case and other assignments,
• Institute policies and practices to promote sustainability and staff retention;
• Work with administrative staff in recruitment, hiring and training of attorneys, advocates, fellows, and interns;
• Work with Pro Bono Program staff on recruitment and support of volunteer attorneys;
• Serve as the public face of the Immigration Practice including in advocacy with elected officials, the press, funders, and other legal service programs;
• Establish and maintain effective communication and relationships with the client community, the immigration law bar, the courts, funders, governmental and community organizations, elected and other public officials; and
• Actively participate in LSSP’s Management Team.
• Commitment to the mission of Legal Services of Southern Piedmont and the Immigrant Justice Program, to individual and systemic advocacy for low-income people, and specifically to immigrants’ rights;
• A State Bar license, NC or eligibility for reciprocity preferred but not required;
• A minimum of five years of law practice, a substantial portion in immigration law;
• The ability and determination to lead in a team environment; supervisory or leadership experience in a nonprofit legal services program preferred, or equivalent experience demonstrating outstanding leadership skills;
• Demonstrated skills and interest in management and supervision; strong communication and analytical ability; self motivated, creative and dependable; and
• Sufficient proficiency in Spanish to conduct client interviews without interpreter is required.
Send (1) a detailed letter explaining your qualifications for and your interest in the specific position and in this organization, bar status, and experience with low-income people; (2) resume; (3) writing sample; (4) names and telephone numbers of three references; and (5) any other relevant information to: Kenneth Schorr, Executive Director, Legal Services of Southern Piedmont, by email to [email protected] or by mail to 1431 Elizabeth Avenue, Charlotte, NC, 28204, email is preferred. Form letters and inquiries not containing this information will not be considered.