Join our RAICES Team!
Are you ready to join our dedicated team operating on the national frontlines fighting for immigration rights? The ideal candidate shares our vision of a compassionate society where all people have the right to migrate and human rights are guaranteed. RAICES has many opportunities to contribute, grow, and thrive in a fast-paced environment that values dedication and collaboration. Starting salary is commensurate with experience.

Who We Are
We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency that promotes justice by providing free and low-cost legal services to underserved immigrant children, families, and refugees. As an organization that combines expertise developed from the daily practice of immigration law with a deep commitment to advocacy, RAICES is unique among immigration organizations. We provide a holistic approach to immigrants. RAICES not only assists immigrants in navigating through complicated immigration laws, but we also assist immigrants with social needs through case management and providing assistance with housing. RAICES advocates that justice is an inherent human right that should be awarded to everyone regardless of age, religion, country of origin, sexual orientation, or ability to pay for legal counsel.

What We Do
We defend the rights of immigrants and refugees, empower individuals, families, and communities, and advocate for liberty and justice.

COVID-19 Response
Protecting the health and safety of employees and clients remains essential. We currently practice social distancing and encourage masks in all public areas. RAICES is using a phased-in approach to return staff to resume in-office operations.

This position will require working remotely and in-office at the assigned work location. Applicants must be adaptable and open to working in both environments.

PLEASE NOTE: All employees are assigned to an office location. The expectation is that you live within the area to commute to and from the office as business or client needs require.

Hybrid Work Plan

• Currently, all interviews are virtual.
• All positions will require working remotely and in-office at the assigned work location.
• Applicants must reside in the state of Texas.
• Relocation assistance may be provided to candidates willing to relocate.

What We Offer
A career at RAICES offers the opportunity to work with a team of professionals driven by our passion for advocating for immigrant rights. Our total rewards package offers comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits! Additional benefits include:

• Generous PTO, plus 14 paid Holidays
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Spending Account
• Dependent Care Account
• Parental & Family Leave
• 403(b) - no waiting period on eligibility and immediate vesting after 90 days
• Salary is commensurate with experience

RAICES is an equal employment opportunity employer. Qualified candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender (including gender identity, gender expression, change of sex, and transgender status), sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, military or veteran status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. If you need assistance or accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request.

The Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES) seeks to hire a Litigation Manager within its Legal Department. The Litigation Manager will manage a team consisting of attorneys and legal support staff. The Litigation Unit is positioned to act on appeals of RAICES clients' immigration matters in federal court and initiate strategic lawsuits or actions against parties violating rights that are aligned with the vision and mission of RAICES. The Litigation Manager will be supervised by the Legal Director with regard to unit operations and will work closely with the Legal Director and Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") with regard to overall litigation strategy.

Responsibilities:

• Assess, develop, and supervise RAICES current litigation portfolio in collaboration with Legal Director and CEO;
• Serve as a Liaison between internal RAICES staff, co-counsel, external partners and stakeholders, external consultants, and any other consultants;
• Serve as the public representative for RAICES litigation matters and issues related to impact litigation including, external collaborations, communications or media appearances related to pending cases in collaboration with Legal Director and CEO;
• Collaborate with other Legal Units to facilitate information-sharing related to current cases;
• Coach other Legal Units and lawyers regarding case strategy, preserving the record, preparing the case for appeal and other issues presented at the Asylum Office, Immigration Court, or BIA level;
• Collaborate with the Advocacy, Social, and Communications teams to facilitate information-sharing and promote advocacy on behalf of our clients:
• Coordinate with the Advocacy POC within External Affairs on proposed legislation affecting immigrants and immigration law;
• Coordinate with the Communications POC within External Affairs to promote our cases and client stories; assist with cultivation of donor relationships as needed and to attract pro bono partners;
• Coordinate with the Case Management unit to assist litigation clients with case assistance or social services and promote seamless, wraparound service models;
• Serve as direct supervisor of the attorneys and legal support staff on the team (holding periodic one on one meetings and team meetings) to include guidance on legal matters, roles, address employee relations including performance and training needs and to implement best practices and recommend development opportunities;
• Lead case management meetings and debrief sessions;
• Provide counseling on ethical issues for the Litigation Team in coordination with Legal Director and CEO;
• Review and prepare co-counsel agreements, MOUs and agreements with partners, engagement letters with experts and interpreters, and agreements with consultants in coordination with Legal Director and CEO;
• Coordinate with the Legal Director and CEO for legal strategy;
• Works with the Legal Director on ensuring accurate monthly data reporting of established KPIs and monitors the unit activities on a regular basis and conduct an annual evaluation according to the unit evaluation framework;
• Works with the Legal Director and Development department to to produce grant/contract reports and provide necessary information for fundraising efforts;
• Work with other Units and RAICES offices to receive the information to evaluate issues or trends that would lead to strategic litigation;
• Work with pro bono counsel and other stakeholders on federal lawsuits
• Oversee a team that serve as mentors for all RAICES staff members on appellate work at the AAO and BIA level and help develop a resource center for Appellate work for the other units within the legal department;
• Handle a caseload providing legal representation and/or leading or participating in federal litigation efforts through all phases of litigation (administrative, trial, and/or appeal), including legal research, motions practice, discovery, trial, brief writing, and oral argument (as appropriate); and
• Complete various administrative tasks as required and oversee other duties, general administrative activities, and responsibilities, as assigned
  

Minimum Qualifications:

• Juris Doctorate from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Current state bar membership in good standing within the United States.
• Must be licensed, or able to become licensed, in the Western District of Texas, 5th Circuit Court of Appeals and the D.C District Court;
• 5 years of experience practicing complex and sophisticated litigation in federal and appellate courts or equivalent work;
• 2 years of experience supervising litigation attorneys and legal support staff; and
• Able to pass a Federal Background Check
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• 3 years experience incorporating the perspectives of multiple communities, including BIPOC communities, in the consideration of impacts and outcomes of a decision-making process;
• 10 years of experience practicing complex and sophisticated litigation in federal and appellate courts, including but not limited to federal class actions;
• Licensed in the Southern and Northern District of Texas
• Trial experience;
• Familiarity with civil rights and/or immigration law with preference for those with demonstrated knowledge and interest in reform of the immigration system and combating systemic injustice;
• Demonstrated understanding of, or experience litigating, various statutory and constitutional causes of action, including cases arising under the Federal Tort Claims Act, the Freedom of Information Act, habeas corpus, mandamus, the Administrative Procedures Act, the Immigration and Nationality Act, Bivens actions, and international human rights law; and
• Committed to social justice evidenced by job and/or pro bono/volunteer/intern experience.

Attributes:

• Must demonstrate behavior that aligns with RAICES' mission, vision, and values - Empowerment, Excellence, Compassion, Inclusion and being Proactive
• Ability to prioritize conflicting demands and work under tight deadlines
• Ability to develop and sustain positive relationships with internal and external customers and vendors
• Strong analytical, oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Must be enthusiastic in all aspects of work performance