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 oversee the professional development opportunities for the legal department and manage remote legal staff. This role is crucial in ensuring compliance with current funding contracts related to the provision of legal services to detained immigrant adults and unaccompanied minors. The position involves 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, ensuring that staff are equipped to deliver high-quality legal services. This includes coordinating training for onboarding and professional development, overseeing the remote legal services program, and mentoring remote Senior Attorneys and Staff Attorneys. In addition to training responsibilities, the Managing Attorney will report to the Legal Director and other senior leaders regarding issues and training opportunities related to legal services for detained immigrant adults and non-detained unaccompanied children. The role also involves providing technical case assistance, conducting regular case audits, and developing team-building and staff retention measures. The Managing Attorney will create and update legal manuals and guidance materials, support the Legal Director in developing management strategies, and prepare narrative reports for program deliverables. This position is fully remote, with occasional travel required to ProBAR's main office in Harlingen, Texas for meetings and staff activities.
Responsibilities
- Lead the development and provision of professional training opportunities across the entire legal department.
- Coordinate 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 senior leaders regarding issues and training opportunities related to legal services.
- Provide technical case assistance to legal department staff and develop training opportunities.
- 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, particularly in removal defense.
- A minimum of 2 years' supervisory responsibility, including 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).
- Experience conducting virtual meetings and training on software such as Zoom and Teams.
- Reliable internet and phone connection, and reliable transportation for off-site work.
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.
- Experience with clients from Central America and indigenous language-speaking populations.
- 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
- 401(k)
- Continuing education credits
- Dental insurance
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Medical and prescription insurance
- Vision insurance
- Voluntary life insurance
- Short- and long-term disability insurance
- Prepaid Legal Plan
- Paid company holidays
- Personal time off
- Vacation time off
- Self-Care time off
- Sign on bonus offered
- Additional bonuses for continuous service at 2-year, 3-year, & 4-year service anniversaries.
