Pro Bono Counsel (Immigration)

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton has an opening for Pro Bono Counsel (Immigration) to join our Talent Management Team.

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At a glance

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The Pro Bono Counsel (Immigration) will serve as the Firm’s primary subject-matter authority on immigration law within the pro bono program in addition to supporting the Firm’s overall pro bono efforts. The role combines substantive legal practice, supervision, and strategic guidance, supporting attorneys across offices in complex humanitarian and removal defense matters. This position will oversee the quality, legal strategy, and compliance of the Firm’s immigration pro bono portfolio while enabling attorneys to take active litigation roles under appropriate supervision.

The position is designed for an experienced immigration attorney who wants to remain substantively engaged in legal work while mentoring and supervising other attorneys, without the pressures of billable-hour practice. While this position has a primary focus on immigration matters, the Pro Bono Counsel  will also support other pro bono practice areas as needed and collaborate across the Pro Bono Team to ensure consistent supervision, staffing, and quality control of all pro bono matters.

In this capacity, the Pro Bono Counsel will:

• Assist in the strategic development and implementation of the Firm’s pro bono program and initiatives across all offices, with a particular focus on immigration-related matters;

• Serve as a substantive expert in immigration law, including asylum, removal defense, SIJS, humanitarian relief, post-conviction issues, habeas, bond, and related emerging areas;

• Provide direct legal supervision and, where appropriate, limited appearances, consultations, or second-chair support in hearings or proceedings to support Firm attorneys handling immigration matters.

• Identify immigration pro bono opportunities that align with Firm priorities and attorney interests, including both short- and long-term matters;

• Develop litigation strategy resources, case guidance, and practice advisories that enable Firm attorneys to effectively handle immigration matters under supervision.

• Provide substantive mentoring, training, and ongoing support to attorneys handling immigration pro bono matters;

• Supervise and advise Firm attorneys on immigration cases, including case theory, evidentiary development, filings, hearings preparation, and procedural compliance.

• Assist in evaluating and managing matters that evolve beyond their originally anticipated scope;

• Support risk management efforts by monitoring immigration developments that may affect active or previously closed pro bono matters;

• Collaborate with leading legal service and advocacy organizations on complex or impact-oriented immigration matters and facilitate appropriate supervision structures.

• Manage the transition of immigration pro bono matters when attorneys depart the Firm;

• Track case outcomes and emerging legal developments to inform training, risk management, and future case selection;

• Coordinate pro bono practice involvement with DEI, Talent Management, Professional Development, Library, and Marketing initiatives;

• Perform other duties as assigned, including assisting with non-immigration pro bono matters and supporting Firm’s overall pro bono efforts.

• Approximately 5-7 years of legal experience preferred; candidates with fewer years but substantial immigration expertise will be considered;

• Demonstrated expertise in immigration law and familiarity with complex and evolving immigration issues;

• Experience supervising or mentoring junior attorneys strongly preferred;

• Demonstrated commitment to social and economic justice preferred;

• Familiarity with and relationships within the immigration legal services community strongly preferred;

• Strong organizational, project management, and risk-assessment skills;

• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills;

• Ability to balance competing demands and manage a high-volume docket;

• Strong desire to work collaboratively as part of a team;

• Fluency in a second language strongly preferred, particularly Spanish, French, Dari, Farsi, or Pashto; and

• Salary commensurate with experience -- candidates with fewer years of experience will be considered with compensation adjusted accordingly.

Education

• JD required; active bar membership required; must be licensed and physically located in a state where the Firm has an office.

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