Legal Supervisor-Immigrant Legal Defense Project-Pro Bono
At a glance
National Immigrant Justice Center
Full-time
Chicago, IL, US
10 November 2025
The Legal Supervisor supervises pro bono case representation within NIJC's Immigrant Legal Defense Project. The person in this roleprovides training, technical support, and legal review to pro bono attorneys for new and pending cases, including U visa/VAWA, asylee/refugee adjustment and family petitions, DACA, and other immigration cases. The person ensures quality legal counsel and representation, and case management for ongoing cases. The Legal Supervisor also providelegal representation and counseling to non-detained immigrants appearing before the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of State (DOS), and if appropriate, before the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) and the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). This person may also supervise an in-house legal team, ensure quality legal counsel and representation, provide case support, and oversee the day-to-day operations, as well as the ongoing training and professional development of team members.As a member of NIJC's supervisory team, the supervisor will collaborate with NIJC's other legal services projects, litigation, policy and communications teams. Individual accountability and work volume will be established through the development of annual Success Objectives.
Key Responsibilities
- Supervises pro bono legal services; including the development of case strategy, preparation, and representation before governmental agencies.
- Provide training, technical support, and legal review to volunteer attorneys for cases in NIJC's Immigrant Legal Defense Project
- Oversees paralegals, attorneys, interns and support staff providing legal services
- Ensure accurate data entry by paralegals, attorneys, and interns.
- Oversees and reviews legal intakes; makes legal assessments and determinations regarding representation.
- Ensure timely case preparation, including case opening process, preparing filings, trial preparation, appeals, case closures, and other case management practices.
- Works with a supervisory team to build a strong team and oversee the team's projects.
- Provides recommendations based on case trends to inform project-based strategic decisions.
- Maintains and develops strategic partnerships with key stakeholders.
- Conducts factual and legal research.
- Provides legal representation to immigrants in immigration proceedings, including before an immigration officer, an immigration judge, and before the Board of Immigration Appeals as appropriate.
- Drafts correspondence and documents, including applications, briefs, and reports.
- Improves delivery of legal services, including the use of technology to improve efficiency. Trains lawyers and non-lawyers in immigration law.
- Conducts legal presentations regarding law and case(s) to NIJC staff and members of the immigrant community. Maintains accurate, thorough, and timely records.
- Identifies trends and emerging issues and responses to issues.
- Maintains current knowledge regarding immigration laws, policies, and procedures.
- Advances an anti-racist organization that promotes diversity, equity and inclusion
- Reacts to change productively and handle other essentials duties as assigned.
The Successful Candidate
- Education and/or Experience: A law degree (JD), license to practice law and at least 3 years' experience in the legal field, preferably in the field of immigration law; or a bachelor's degree with at least 3 years' experience as a Department of Justice accredited representative. Previous supervisory experience preferred but not required.
- Language Skills: Fluency in English and Spanish is required. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Demonstrated competency in public speaking and strong interpersonal skills required. Additional non-English language skills are preferred.
- Computer Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office
- Driving: May be required to have a current, valid IL Driver's License. May be required to drive their own vehicle and/or an organization vehicle to and from sites.
- Reasoning Ability: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.