Legal Director/Managing Attorney

Legal Director/Managing Attorney

Job Description

POSITION TITLE: Legal Director/Managing Attorney DEPARTMENT: ReWA Law LOCATION: MLK, SeaTac, Kent offices REPORTS TO: Executive Director STATUS/PAY: Exempt Regular Full-time WORK SCHEDULE: Hybrid

POSITION PURPOSE: The Legal Director/Managing Attorney provides strategic leadership, legal supervision, and program oversight for the organization’s immigration legal services program. This position ensures the delivery of high-quality, ethical, and trauma-informed legal representation to low-income immigrants while maintaining compliance with Department of Justice (DOJ) Recognition and Accreditation regulations, professional responsibility standards, and organizational policies.

Legal Director oversees all legal services within the immigration program, supervises attorneys and DOJ-accredited representatives, manages complex immigration cases, and develops strategies to expand access to legal representation for immigrant communities.

This role also collaborates with organizational leadership to strengthen program operations, ensure legal compliance, support staff development, and advance the organization’s mission of promoting justice and protecting the rights of immigrants.

The Legal Director/Managing Director must demonstrate a strong commitment to advancing the organization’s mission of expanding access to justice and providing high-quality legal representation to immigrant communities. Because this role includes supervisory responsibilities, the Legal Director/Managing Attorney typically maintains a very limited caseload (if at all) of complex cases.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Legal Leadership & Strategy

• Provide overall legal leadership and direction for the immigration legal services program.

• Develop and implement legal service strategies aligned with the organization’s mission and community needs.

• Establish program priorities, service models, and case acceptance guidelines.

• Monitor developments in immigration law and policy and ensure staff are informed of relevant legal updates.

• Identify opportunities to expand legal services or develop new program initiatives.

2. Legal Supervision & Case Oversight

• Supervise staff attorneys, DOJ-accredited representatives, paralegals, and Administrative Manager

• Provide legal guidance, mentorship, and case strategy consultation to staff.

• Conduct regular case reviews to ensure quality representation and compliance with legal standards.

• Review and approve legal filings, motions, and applications when appropriate.

• Ensure adherence to deadlines, case management protocols, and best practices.

• Support staff in managing complex or high-risk cases.

3. DOJ Recognition & Accreditation Program Oversight

• Ensure organizational compliance with DOJ Recognition and Accreditation regulations.

• Provide legal supervision for DOJ-accredited representatives.

• Oversee applications and renewals for accredited representatives.

• Ensure appropriate training, mentoring, and supervision of accredited staff.

• Maintain policies and procedures consistent with EOIR regulations.

4. Quality Assurance & Risk Management

• Establish quality control systems including case reviews and file audits.

• Ensure compliance with professional responsibility rules and ethical obligations.

• Manage legal risk and liability associated with immigration casework.

• Address conflicts of interest and maintain confidentiality standards.

• Develop protocols to ensure consistent legal practice across the program.

5. Staff Training & Professional Development

• Provide ongoing training to attorneys, accredited representatives, and legal staff.

• Develop internal training programs on immigration law updates and legal practice.

• Mentor staff and support professional growth.

• Support staff pursuing DOJ accreditation or professional development opportunities.

• Supervise legal fellows, interns, and volunteers.

6. Program Management & Compliance

• Develop and maintain program policies, procedures, and practice guidelines.

• Ensure compliance with legal ethics rules, grant requirements, and organizational policies.

• Monitor program caseloads, service delivery, and legal outcomes.

• Maintain effective case management systems and documentation practices.

• Ensure the confidentiality and security of client records.

7. Community Engagement & Partnerships

• Represent the organization in immigration legal networks, coalitions, and partnerships.

• Build relationships with community organizations and service providers.

• Participate in community education and outreach initiatives related to immigration rights.

• Support development of partnerships with pro bono attorneys and law firms.

8. Strategic Planning & Organizational Collaboration

• Participate in organizational strategic planning.

• Collaborate with leadership to strengthen program operations and sustainability.

• Assist with program budgeting and resource allocation.

• Contribute legal expertise to organizational initiatives impacting immigrant communities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.

• Active membership in good standing with a state bar.

• Eligible to practice before immigration courts and federal immigration agencies.

• Minimum 6–8 years of immigration law experience.

• At least 2–3 years of supervisory or leadership experience preferred.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience in nonprofit immigration legal services strongly preferred.

• Experience supervising DOJ Accredited Representatives

• Experience with EOIR litigation and removal defense

• Bilingual ability

• Experience managing immigration legal programs or clinics

• Experience with nonprofit grants and reporting

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Fast-paced nonprofit legal services environment

• Work with individuals and families who may have experienced trauma

• May require occasional evening or community outreach activities

BENEFITS: Benefit Eligibility with Regular Part-time and Full-time employment over 20 hours provides Medical, Dental, Vision, LTD, Life insurance, vacation, sick leave, paid holidays, 403(b) plan, Tuition Forgiveness

ReWA is committed to a diverse candidate pool, values and inclusive workforce and workplace environment and wishes to minimize or eliminate the impact of implicit bias during the search and hiring process. Women, minorities, and other underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply.

BACKGROUND CHECKS:

ReWA is committed to providing a safe and secure staff and client environment. Employment at ReWA is contingent upon a successful background check on each new employee. Candidates to whom an offer of employment is made will be required to sign a Release of Information Form authorizing ReWA to conduct a thorough background check

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER ReWA is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all qualified individuals. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, family or parental status of any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.