Legal Director
Hyattsville, MD
Full Time
Executive
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, and Virginia, 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 immigrant community is under attack, and CASA’s legal department is on the front line fighting back. The legal department at CASA operates under the principles of Justice is the goal, law is a means. It is 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 community leaders, CASA staff, other local and national organizations, and other key partners in our work. 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. Our legal department currently operates on a hybrid work model, with three days “on site”.
POSITION SUMMARY:
CASA’s Legal Director will become part of the national powerhouse organization that is protecting and defending our immigrant community against xenophobic, white supremacist policies and practices. The Legal Director plays a leading role in CASA’s local, regional and national efforts to support and defend CASA’s community base through litigation, advocacy, and direct legal services. The Legal Director will be a talented, dynamic, and creative leader on CASA’s executive team, responsible and accountable for the goals and operations of the legal department; supervising members of the legal team, including managing attorneys, supervising attorneys, senior attorneys, staff attorneys, paralegals, and legal assistants; and representing the legal team in interdepartmental spaces, such as supporting advocacy efforts led by CASA’s Organizing and Advocacy Departments. The ideal candidate will have significant legal and management experience, preferably in a non-profit setting working with immigrant, Black, Brown, Afro-Descendant, and/or Indigenous communities.
This position is eligible to work from CASA's Multicultural Center in Hyattsville MD, CASA's Baltimore Welcome Center in Baltimore, MD, or CASA's Rockville Welcome Center in Rockville, MD.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
Leadership and Strategy
EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS:
$116,000 - $125,000 if working from Hyattsville
$116,000 - $125,000 if working from Baltimore
$116,000 - $125,000 if working from Rockville
BENEFITS DESCRIPTION:
Who is eligible?
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 sit, crawling and reaching objects. The employee will frequently be required to stand, lift, carry, push and pull objects.
The employee is occasionally required to stand or walk, do repetitive motions, balance, stoop, kneel and crouch.
When it comes to physical strength, the employee will required to perform medium work. The employee may be expected to lift up to 25 lbs.
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 occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
ADA: CASA will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
OSHA: This role 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’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, and Virginia, 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 immigrant community is under attack, and CASA’s legal department is on the front line fighting back. The legal department at CASA operates under the principles of Justice is the goal, law is a means. It is 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 community leaders, CASA staff, other local and national organizations, and other key partners in our work. 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. Our legal department currently operates on a hybrid work model, with three days “on site”.
POSITION SUMMARY:
CASA’s Legal Director will become part of the national powerhouse organization that is protecting and defending our immigrant community against xenophobic, white supremacist policies and practices. The Legal Director plays a leading role in CASA’s local, regional and national efforts to support and defend CASA’s community base through litigation, advocacy, and direct legal services. The Legal Director will be a talented, dynamic, and creative leader on CASA’s executive team, responsible and accountable for the goals and operations of the legal department; supervising members of the legal team, including managing attorneys, supervising attorneys, senior attorneys, staff attorneys, paralegals, and legal assistants; and representing the legal team in interdepartmental spaces, such as supporting advocacy efforts led by CASA’s Organizing and Advocacy Departments. The ideal candidate will have significant legal and management experience, preferably in a non-profit setting working with immigrant, Black, Brown, Afro-Descendant, and/or Indigenous communities.
This position is eligible to work from CASA's Multicultural Center in Hyattsville MD, CASA's Baltimore Welcome Center in Baltimore, MD, or CASA's Rockville Welcome Center in Rockville, MD.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
Leadership and Strategy
- Serve as a member of CASA’s Executive Team, actively participating in organization-wide decisions and advising Senior Leadership on programmatic and organizational issues
- Provide strategic leadership and oversight of the Legal Department, including preparation, implementation, and evaluation of annual plans and budgets consistent with CASA’s Strategic Plan and Objective Key Results
- Participate actively in departmental and organizational planning processes, including developing and executing individual workplans and professional development plans for all staff, evaluating and tracking progress
- Oversee legal services, litigation and social justice campaigns in areas such as immigration, employment, housing, and civil rights
- In conjunction with CASA’s Community Organizing and Advocacy departments, develop and implement policy and legislative priorities and social justice campaigns
- Supervise and mentor managing attorneys, supervising attorneys, staff attorneys, external attorneys, paralegals and legal assistants
- Lead cases independently, or co-counsel with internal attorneys and external partners, as appropriate
- Ensure high-quality legal advocacy and legal case management across CASA’s footprint
- Conduct regular supervision, including bi-weekly supervisory meetings with all direct reports
- Conduct program and personnel evaluations
- Facilitate organizational meetings, events, and trainings
- Develop and implement plans to engage Black and Indigenous communities to expand access to services and integration with CASA’s Community Organizing Department
- Represent CASA in local, regional, and national spaces, such as in coalitions, on the media, and at public events
- Support the development and expansion of CASA’s membership base
- Cultivate and maintain relationships with external partners, including pro bono attorneys and litigation partners
- Monitor the proper and accurate collection of data among team members
- Regularly analyze metrics and progress toward key result measures
- Prepare reports for funders and other stakeholders in collaboration with staff
- Assist with fundraising to grow and sustain the Legal Department and CASA organizationally
- Meet deadlines established by supervisor and consistent with Departmental and individual workplans
EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS:
- Juris Doctorate (J.D.) with a minimum of 7 years legal experience (immigration and/or litigation experience preferred).
- Admitted to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction (Maryland strongly preferred; D.C., Virginia, Pennsylvania, or Georgia preferred).
- Valid U.S. Driver’s License and reliable transportation.
- 7+ years practicing law
- 5+ years supervising staff and managing programs
- Bilingual/multilingual, with English being one of the languages; Spanish preferred; French is a plus.
- Creative, movement lawyer, committed to social change and community organizing, including implementing member-led decisions and priorities, and delivering legal services in a way that builds power
- Experience and deep commitment to civil rights, particularly workers’, tenants’ and immigrants’ rights, including experience working with the immigrant community
- Strong commitment to Racial Justice, Equity & Inclusion (RJEI) principles in all aspects of work and leadership
- Background in grants management, fundraising, and stakeholder engagement
- Experience maintaining legal case management systems and advanced proficiency in basic computer programs (Microsoft Office suite, etc.); knowledge of Salesforce is a plus
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, including in legal advocacy and public communication
- Strong interpersonal communication, conflict resolution, and negotiation skills
- Ability to travel, as required, for trainings, litigation, speaking engagements and other needs
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and effectively across teams
- Well-organized with ability to work independently under minimal supervision, managing multiple projects
$116,000 - $125,000 if working from Hyattsville
$116,000 - $125,000 if working from Baltimore
$116,000 - $125,000 if working from Rockville
BENEFITS DESCRIPTION:
Who is eligible?
- All full time and part time permanent positions working 20 hours or more per week.
- 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.
- Sixteen (16) paid holidays per calendar year.
- Excellent Benefits Package including employer paid benefits as follow:
- 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)
- Basic life and AD&D
- Long and Short Term Disability insurance
- Professional Development: Those pursuing a course of study related to work performed at CASA may be eligible for a reimbursement up to $3,000.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Additional voluntary benefits:
- FSA Account including Dependent Care.
- 401(k) retirement plan with a 2% employer discretionary match.
- Accident, Critical Indemnity, Hospital insurance.
- Allowances:
- Mileage reimbursements for those positions that are required to drive on CASA business.
- Cell Phone stipend for those positions that are required to use their cellphone for CASA business
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 sit, crawling and reaching objects. The employee will frequently be required to stand, lift, carry, push and pull objects.
The employee is occasionally required to stand or walk, do repetitive motions, balance, stoop, kneel and crouch.
When it comes to physical strength, the employee will required to perform medium work. The employee may be expected to lift up to 25 lbs.
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 occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
ADA: CASA will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
OSHA: This role 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.
Apply for this position
Required*