Supervisory Policy and Practice Counsel

We Are

Headquartered in downtown, Washington, DC, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) is an organization comprised of nearly 17,000 individual attorney members who practice and teach immigration law. For our members, we provide continuing legal education, information, advocacy, professional services, and expertise. Founded in 1946, AILA's mission is to promote justice, advocate for fair and reasonable immigration law and policy, advance the quality of immigration and nationality law and practice, and enhance the professional development of its members.

Department Summary

The Government Relations team advocates for immigration-related legislative, regulatory, and policy reforms before Congress and the executive branch, consistent with AILA’s principles and priorities. The Government Relations team tracks and advocates for the development of immigration law, policy and practice issues with Congress and the Executive Branch. The team works with AILA’s subject matter committees to prepare resources and information for AILA members.

Position Summary

The Supervisory Policy and Practice Counsel will develop, and advance policy and advocacy priorities based on emerging practice issues, as well as by tracking trends and developments in substantive law and administrative developments related to immigration benefits. The Supervisory Policy and Practice Counsel will supervise AILA’s case liaison assistance program, analyze case trends, raise problematic issues and trends arising from our member's practices to government agencies and coordinate efforts to ensure that members have sufficient resources to address these issues. The Supervisory Policy and Practice Counsel will contribute significantly to AILA’s written work product by drafting and editing policy documents, practice pointers, bill text, legislative and regulatory analyses, blogs, web updates, and communications to AILA members and target audiences. The Supervisory Policy and Practice Counsel will represent AILA before Congress and with the Executive Branch. This position will focus primarily on benefits-based immigration issues, such as employment-based and family-sponsored immigration. This position supervises Policy and Practice Associates. The Supervisory Policy & Practice Counsel supports the management of various functions of the GR Team including strategic planning, supervision and coordination of national committees, staff projects, and AILA volunteers.

Essential Job Functions

Policy and Legal Analysis - 20%

• Monitor reviews, evaluate, and prepare written analyses and advocacy materials on proposed legislation, regulations, and policies related to benefits-based immigration, including business, family, naturalization, and humanitarian issues
• Work with the department directors, staff, AILA leadership, and assigned AILA committees to identify emerging issues and trends in policy and practices
• Shape AILA’s policy positions and makes recommendations on key priorities
• Draft the substantive content of AILA’s policy and legislative work product

Case Management and Tracking of Practice Trends - 20%

• Supervise AILA’s case liaison assistance program, including coordinating activities of staff who handle case inquiries, managing workload allocation, and setting uniform standards and procedures
• Ensure that assigned department staff members are tracking adjudication trends and distributing information to relevant committees and internal department
• Provide technical expertise and devise strategies for responding to members on complicated individual case inquiries, including the development of case resolution strategies
• Work with the Management Team to ensure proper resource allocation and training for the team

Administrative and Congressional Advocacy - 20%

• Actively participate in the development of legal and policy positions and agenda items for agency meetings and participate in those meetings.
• Represent AILA in advocacy with Congress and relevant government agencies

Information Sharing, Communications, and Education - 20%

• Review and draft a wide range of products to maximize AILA’s impact with its members, including regulatory and policy comments, policy analyses, practice materials, and other related products
• Work with AILA’s government relations, communications, and online content teams to produce and review materials
• Educate AILA members and the public on AILA’s positions at conferences, webinars, public events, interviews with the media, and social media
• Work with Coalition partners to advance AILA priorities

Staff Resource to AILA Committees and Membership - 25%

• Support, track, and guide the work of AILA’s subject matter expert committees and national committees that engage in formal liaison with the government
• Serve as a resource on policy and legislative matters for AILA members
• Support the department’s grassroots and membership engagement efforts

The Supervisory Policy and Practice Counsel directly supervises two (2) staff members who assist AILA members on individual cases and specific practice issues. The position is accountable for total performance management of these positions including selection, termination, performance reviews, salary administration, and career development. The position works closely with the Government Relations management team on department matters.

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school
• Admission to the practice of law in any state and/or Washington, DC. preferred
• Minimum five (5) years of immigration law practice experience and/or immigration policy experience, with an emphasis in family-sponsored or employment-based immigration
• An exceptional ability to conduct legal and legislative analysis and research is required
• Minimum of one (1) year of demonstrated experience of overseeing paralegals or other professional staff
• Ability to multi-task, take initiative, think strategically, prioritize, and complete assignments, including providing rapid analytical responses with strong attention to detail
• Strong writing and communication skills
• Demonstrated flexibility in problem-solving and the ability to adapt to shifting priorities
• Commitment to the highest ethical and professional standards
• Proven track record of working collaboratively with colleagues across departments and functions, including the ability to work with colleagues remotely, in-person, and hybrid
• Demonstrated understanding of the legislative process and political strategic planning
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Drive, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram

The role is eligible for Remote work.

Our Remote Work Strategy is designed to ensure connection while minimizing costs and inconvenience. Talent residing within 50 miles of our National Office located in Washington, D.C., located in the nation’s capital, will be given preference. For roles outside this, we seek candidates within 50 miles of a major airport. This strategy helps us enhance collaboration, optimize travel costs, and strengthen in-person engagement while ensuring we remain cost-effective and mission-driven. Candidates outside these areas may be considered on a case-by-case basis based on role requirements and organizational needs.

This role requires maintaining a professional demeanor in a remote/office work setting. Responsibilities include extended periods of sitting at a desk, frequent use of a PC workstation for prolonged hours, occasional verbal communication with team members and stakeholders via virtual platforms, and the possibility of lifting or moving items up to 25 pounds, though this is not likely to be a frequent requirement.

Disclaimer:

This document in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable otherwise qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions of this position. Incumbent(s) may be expected to perform job-related duties other than those contained in this document and may be required to have specific job-related knowledge and skills. The requirements of the job and the contents of this job description are subject to change.

This document does not imply a contract of employment. The American Immigration Lawyers Association is an at-will employer, and may terminate the employment relationship at any time, for any reason, with or without cause or notice.

AAP/EEO Statement:

American Immigration Lawyers Association is an active Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions shall be made without regard to age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status or any other basis as protected by federal, state, or local law.