ProBAR - Managing Attorney Training and Development
American Bar Association - Harlingen, TX
posted 4 months ago
About the position
The American Bar Association (ABA) is seeking a Managing Attorney for Training and Development to lead the professional development opportunities within the legal department of ProBAR, a project dedicated to empowering immigrants through high-quality legal information and representation. This role is crucial in ensuring that the legal staff are well-equipped to provide exceptional legal services to detained immigrant adults and unaccompanied children. The Managing Attorney will be responsible for overseeing the training and development of remote legal staff, ensuring compliance with funding contracts related to legal services, and providing technical assistance to legal department staff. This position requires regular interaction with individuals who may have experienced trauma, necessitating a compassionate and understanding approach. The Managing Attorney will lead the development and provision of professional training opportunities across the legal department, coordinating with various teams to facilitate onboarding and ongoing professional development. This includes hiring, mentoring, and overseeing the work of Senior Attorneys and Staff Attorneys, as well as reporting to the Legal Director and other senior leaders on training opportunities and issues related to legal services. The role also involves performing regular case audits to ensure proper case management and data integrity, developing team-building measures, and creating legal manuals and guidance materials. The Managing Attorney will support the Legal Director in developing management strategies that ensure compliance with funding deliverables while maintaining a client-centered representation model. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the ABA's mission of advancing the rule of law and ensuring access to justice for all. The ABA values its staff and provides a generous benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, and opportunities for continuing education. Flexible work arrangements may be available for residents in certain states, and employees are eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. The ABA is committed to diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from individuals of all backgrounds.
Responsibilities
- Lead the development and provision of professional training opportunities across the entire legal department.
- Coordinate across teams to provide training for onboarding and professional development of legal department staff.
- Oversee the development of ProBAR's remote legal services program.
- Hire, train, mentor, and oversee the work of remote Senior Attorneys and Staff Attorneys.
- Report to the Legal Director and other senior leaders regarding issues and training opportunities related to legal services for detained immigrant adults and/or non-detained unaccompanied children.
- Provide technical case assistance to legal department staff and develop training opportunities in relevant issue areas.
- Perform regular case audits to ensure proper case management and data integrity.
- Develop and implement team building and staff retention measures in coordination with leadership.
- Provide coaching, counseling, leadership, and performance feedback to staff.
- Create and update legal manuals and guidance materials, such as checklists and internal practice guides.
- Support the Legal Director in developing management strategies that ensure compliance with funding deliverables.
- Prepare narrative reports and documentation required for program deliverables.
Requirements
- Possession of a Juris Doctorate or Master of Law (LLM) degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
- Licensed to practice law in a U.S. state or territory, and in good standing.
- Fluent in English in written and spoken forms, including strong writing skills in English.
- At least four years of experience representing clients on immigration matters, with particular attention to removal defense.
- A minimum of 2 years' supervisory responsibility, including responsibility for training and developing legal staff.
- Strong analytical, organizational, oral, and written communication skills.
- Proven experience ensuring cross-functional team collaborations and leading diverse teams.
- Intermediate proficiency with Adobe and Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, OneDrive, SharePoint, and Teams).
- Proven experience with conducting virtual meetings, training, and observations on software such as Zoom and Teams.
Nice-to-haves
- Licensed to practice law and member of the State Bar of Texas.
- Four or more years of experience in representing clients on immigration matters.
- Prior experience representing immigrant youth in related state court matters.
- Prior work experience with clients from Central America and indigenous language-speaking populations.
- Prior experience creating and providing legal training and CLEs.
- Prior experience supervising legal staff or volunteers in immigration matters.
- Proficiency in conversational Spanish.
- Prior non-profit experience, particularly involving immigration detention.
Benefits
- Continuing education credits
- Paid holidays
- Disability insurance
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- 401(k)
- Flexible spending account
- Employee assistance program
- Vision insurance
- Loan forgiveness
- Life insurance
- Prescription drug insurance
