Supervising Attorney - Worker's Rights

CASA & CASA IN ACTION SYNOPSIS:

CASA’s mission to create a more just society by building power and improving the quality of life in working-class: Black, Latino/a/e, Afro-descendent, Indigenous, and Immigrant Communities. Our vision is rooted in the collective power of our community, our inclusive, permanent, member-led movement radically transforms communities and systems to ensure the needs, dreams, and aspirations of members are fully met as we strive for justice and full liberation at home and in solidarity with others across the world. CASA has a sister organization, CASA in Action, a separate, but related, nonprofit organization that is exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code.  Although CASA and CASA in Action share a common goal of supporting immigrants and low-income people in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Georgia, they are separate organizations with their own board of directors.  A set of employees at the two organizations, including the person filling this position, shares their time between the two organizations.  This has no effect on salary or benefits.

DEPARTMENT SYNOPSIS:

The Legal Department at CASA operates under the principles of Justice is the goal, law is a means. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. We endeavor to find the most creative strategies to combat the abuses and injustices identified by our constituents.  We value justice in the largest sense possible, not only one person at a time legal solutions, but broad, transformative solutions created in combination with immigrant leaders, CASA organizers and other staff, other local and national organizations and direct service staff.  We value our time and believe that though hard and sustained effort is often required, real rest is also necessary for creativity, stamina and “a life,” however defined.  

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Supervising Attorney will be responsible for supporting CASA’s members in enforcing their rights, including representation in seeking unpaid wages; as well as providing direct representation to CASA’s members in immigration cases. Under the leadership of the Legal Director, the supervising attorney will directly supervise staff attorneys and legal team members, as assigned. In addition, the position will involve overseeing the work of the CASA Immigrant Integration Program’s citizenship efforts in Virginia through regular participation in citizenship clinics and review of complex citizenship cases. As determined by the Legal Director, the supervising attorney will support the broader power-building efforts of CASA’s legal team.

The number of vacancies for this position is one only. This position is eligible to work from CASA’s Woodbridge Welcome Center in Woodbridge, VA or the Multicultural Center in Hyattsville, MD.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Direct Legal Work

• Oversee and provide legal representation in immigration cases, including both affirmative applications and representation of clients in removal proceedings, as well as potential appellate work in front of the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) and federal Circuit Courts. 
• Oversee and provide legal representation in employment cases, including direct negotiations with employers, litigation in state courts, as well as planning and executing workers’ rights clinics.
• Under the supervision of CASA’s Legal Director, support CASA’s immigration and employment teams, including the staff attorneys, paralegals, and other staff as assigned, through regular engagement, case assistance and mentorship.
• Support our Immigrant Integration Program through oversight of their citizenship application work and participation in regular citizenship clinics.
• Serve as the legal lead for community workshops and clinics organized by the Legal Department and/or other departments 
• Oversee and provide legal orientation, counseling and education regarding a range of immigration issues, employment issues and other legal problems faced by members of the working-class, immigrant communities that form CASA’s base.
• Provide referrals, brief legal services and direct representation in individual and collective cases.  

Supervisory Work

Provide direct supervision to CASA staff attorneys and other legal staff, including but not limited to: 

• Conducting bi-weekly check-ins with the staff you support.
• Managing all Human Resource related concerns of staff you support (including requests for leave, approval of timesheets, etc.)
• Regularly reviewing and offering feedback on the work product of staff you support.
• Connecting staff to appropriate professional development and mentorship opportunities
• Co-counseling complex cases with staff you support, as appropriate
• Other management functions as defined by the Legal Director

Strategic Work with Organizers

• Support the legal needs of CASA’s Community Organizing department, including through regular engagement with staff and community leaders, providing legal consultations to members, and advising on policy and campaign issues where necessary.
• Co-counsel with other legal services providers or pro-bono counsel to pursue impact litigation.
• Engage in advocacy and community organizing efforts and campaigns for improved laws affecting members of the low-income immigrant community at local, state and federal level by drafting legislation, presenting testimony, organizing hearings and lobbying.
• Identify clients to participate in public, organizing campaigns and to speak with media.

Outreach/Popular Education 

• Engage in education and outreach through “Know Your Rights” presentations, workshops and clinics, participation on panels and other means of public engagement.
• Design, edit and disseminate popular education materials related to immigration and employment issues.
• In collaboration with partners, plan and implement “Train the Trainer” workshops in which organizers and workers are trained to reach out to others to inform them of their rights.
• Recruit and maintain relationships with volunteers and other key partners to support CASA’s legal work, including pro bono attorneys, law students, and other relevant professionals.

Administrative Work

• On-going data entry, data verification, and internal activity reports.
• Maintain contemporaneous and complete notes of all case-related activity in CASA’s case management systems.
• Annual planning process: developing and executing individual work plans, evaluating and providing feedback on plans as the year progresses.
• Contribute creative ideas and engage meaningfully in discussions about ways to improve the Legal Department and CASA as an organization.  
• Provide detailed reports regarding work including case examples, case profiles, and statistics, including on deadlines for press inquiries.
• Assist with the completion of regular reports to funders and other stakeholders.

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION/LICENSURE:

• Admitted to practice law and willing to sit for the Maryland, DC or Virginia bar exam (if necessary). Virginia licensed attorneys strongly preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Bilingual English/Spanish (written and spoken). French is a plus.
• A minimum of 3-5 years of experience with immigration law and/or employment law, including significant experience with DACA initial and renewal applications before USCIS, TPS, and removal defense work before the immigration court. 
• Experience providing representation in state court is a plus. 
• Demonstrated commitment to providing legal services to immigrant and/or working class communities.
• Strong communication skills.
• Strong commitment to CASA’s mission of building power in working class and immigrant communities.
• Experience supervising staff and/or interns in a variety of legal cases.  
• Knowledge of legal ethics rules, including the boundary between legal assistance and legal advice, and consistent adherence to those rules.
• Quick learner, able to prioritize tasks in stressful situations.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Valid driver’s license, as some travel will be required 

BENEFITS DESCRIPTION:

Who is eligible?

• All full time and part time permanent positions working 20 hours or more per week.

What We Offer:

• Generous paid time off, including: annual leave starting at three weeks per year (proportional accrual per pay period), two weeks of sick leave, three days of personal leave, and additional compensatory leave for exempt employees.
• Twelve (12) paid holidays per calendar year.
• Excellent Benefits Packageincluding employer paid benefits as follow:
  1. Health, dental, and vision insurance (CASA pays 100%  of the premium costs for the employee up to our HMO plan, 55% for couples, 65% for children and 60% for family)
  2. Basic life and AD&D
  3. Long and Short Term Disability insurance 
  4. Professional Development: Those pursuing a course of study related to work performed at CASA may be eligible for a reimbursement up to $2,000.
  5. Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Additional voluntary benefits:
  1. FSA Account including Dependent Care.
  2. 401(k) retirement plan with a 2% employer discretionary match.
  3. Accident, Critical Indemnity, Hospital insurance.
• Allowances:
  1. Mileage reimbursements for those positions that are required to drive on CASA business.
  2. Cell Phone stipend for those positions that are required to use their cellphone for CASA business.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, do repetitive motions, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. 

The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must rarely lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is rarely exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Some travel will be required. 

The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must rarely lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus.

ADA: CASA will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. 

OSHA: A Supervising Attorney is not to handle any human body fluids, biological agents, laboratory chemicals, or be exposed to hazardous materials such as noise, asbestos, or carcinogens.

CASA Inc. and CASA in Action do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, mental or physical disability, ancestry, marital status or national origin.

This job description will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity. Essential and marginal job functions are subject to modification. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. 

CASA has implemented a mandatory vaccination policy effective 01 February 2022, requiring COVID‑19 Booster vaccination(s) for all employees and prospective employees, AmeriCorps members, and paid or non-paid internships. In accordance with CASA's duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards, we are adopting this policy to safeguard the health of our employees, AmeriCorps members and interns, and their families, CASA members and visitors, and the community at large from infectious diseases that may be reduced by vaccinations. In making this decision, the executive leadership team reviewed recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, CASA’s Legal Counsel and local health officials. All prospective employees will be required to provide proof of COVID 19 vaccination or appropriate medical / religious accommodation documentation prior to the first day of employment with CASA. AmeriCorps member candidates will be required to provide proof of COVID 19 vaccination or appropriate medical / religious accommodation documentation at the time of presenting proof of citizenship and SSN eligibility.