Legal Director

Reports to: Deputy Director of Client Services

Supervises: Staff Attorney and Paralegals

Status: Exempt/Full Time

Grade: 1

Compensation Range: $85,000-$110,000 (depending on experience)

Position Summary

Under supervision of the Deputy Director for Client Services, the Legal Director will lead and expand Enlace’s legal program. In addition to overseeing legal services, they will be required to litigate family law cases related to clients’ victimization, assist in the development of a new immigration component, and manage the legal department. The Legal Director will be responsible for handling the day-to-day management of legal staff, volunteers, and collaborating attorneys. As a member of Enlace’s Leadership Team, the Legal Director will provide strategic leadership on both litigation and non-litigation legal advocacy in priority areas including women’s and immigrants’ rights. The Legal Director works in close coordination with all Enlace departments, as well as our local and national partners to advance our legal department goals.

Responsibilities

Manage all aspects of Enlace’s litigation program and strategy;
Coordinate the selection of cases and oversee the investigation and development of cases before commencing litigation;
Build litigation teams with in-house attorneys, paralegals, collaborating (external) attorneys, and nonprofit partners;
Directly engage in litigation and oversee ongoing litigation;
Maintain an individual caseload of developing and active litigation, including overseeing and directing pre-litigation investigations, discovery, motion practice, brief writing, hearings, and trials;
Collaborate with Enlace staff attorneys and partnering (external) attorneys on all work within Enlace’s legal department;
Supervise one staff attorney, three paralegals (one of whom is focused on immigration as a Department of Justice representative), and law student externs and undergraduate interns;
Foster a departmental culture that encourages staff development through internal and external resources;
Coordinate and collaborate with other Enlace departments on cross-departmental projects and serve as a resource on legal matters for staff, partners, and other Enlace constituents;
Work closely with Enlace’s Leadership Team to regularly engage in strategic public forums and advocacy discussions;
Provide support in strategic planning and reporting, including developing budgets and providing regular reports on grants with legal department deliverables.

Additional Duties

Be committed to advancing immigrant rights, gender equity, and socioeconomic justice;
Be committed to advancing Enlace’s mission, vision, core values, and programmatic goals;
Leverage best practices for facilitating positive, constructive interpersonal communication—including an ability to navigate and resolve conflict in a manner that values and respects relationships with colleagues and community partners;
Be highly organized, self-motivated, detail-oriented, creative, and demonstrate excellent time management in managing multiple projects;
Exercise emotional maturity and a sense of humor in resolving pressing issues or project components;
Be a collaborative team player who shares responsibilities, and supports and acknowledges colleagues’ contributions;
Respect differences in race, ethnicity, age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion (or lack thereof), ability, arrest or conviction history, socioeconomic status, and immigration status;
Be flexible to manage other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Ability to supervise staff;
Ability to monitor, assess, and record client progress per their legally focused service plan goals, and make adjustments to/pivot between case-specific legal strategies as necessary to accomplish client goals;
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in diverse communities;
Ability to assess clients’ needs as they relate to legally specific service plan goals and honor clients’ directives specific to their legally specific goals;
Ability to operate effectively and communicate clearly during crises arising within the context of litigation, including conveying client information to other members of Enlace’s legal department or to collaborating professionals;
Ability to gather data, compile information, and prepare case-specific reports;
Ability to maintain confidential records;
Must have strong verbal and written communication skills in both English and Spanish.

Please note: an individual is not required to disclose information about mental or physical limitations that may potentially interfere with work performance. However, a reasonable accommodation is only possible if Enlace is notified of modifications that may be necessary for the individual to adequately perform the duties of the position.

Enlace is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace culture. Enlace encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, national origin, marital status, immigration status, disability, or veteran status.

Position Qualifications

5-10 years of litigation experience in state courts, with a strong background in family law and/or immigration law;
Admitted to the NM Bar;
Management experience in recruiting, training, and motivating a diverse, high-performing legal team;
Demonstrated record of moving legal cases forward from investigation and development and through all levels of the courts, with experience working with immigrant victims of domestic violence from diverse socio-economic backgrounds;
Experience working closely with non-profit organizations, including allies from across the political spectrum;
Excellent organizational skills and a creative and strategic approach to problem-solving and litigation;
Goal-oriented, project-oriented, and achievement-oriented, with an ability to recognize and maximize opportunities on behalf of the organization;
Bilingual (English-Spanish), written and verbal required;
A team-building and collegial management style, including effective communications skills, a warm personal style that commands respect, and a good sense of humor.

Employment Screening & Compliance

Employee will be subject to a CYFD background check;
Employee must comply with all Enlace operational policies, especially those involving the safety of fellow workers, volunteers, and clients/customers;
Employee must maintain a current and valid driver’s license to perform work duties if position requires activities that necessitate travel by motor vehicle;
Employee must have and maintain a clean driving record;
Employee must be authorized to work legally in the U.S. (e.g., via DACA/DREAM Act).

Most essential duties are performed in an office environment with exposure to a variety of business equipment and other pertinent materials normally found in this type of work setting. Work is normally performed in an area permitting partial-to-total privacy. Work duties sometimes require travel to other locations throughout the city, state, and country.

To Apply: All applicants must submit a cover letter, resume, a legal writing sample, and three (3) professional references to: jobs@enlacenm.org with the subject line “Legal Director Application” or mail to: Enlace Comunitario c/o Human Resources (2425 Alamo SE Albuquerque, NM 87106).

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