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We are currently hiring for two positions. Click the links below to learn more about each position:
Managing Attorney
Staff Attorney
Managing Attorney
Job Title: Managing Attorney
Reports to: CEO
Supervises: Attorneys & Paralegals, Case Manager, Community Health Worker (CHW)
Location: Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Specific Functions: Assist the CEO in maximizing the impact and ensuring the smooth and efficient functioning of the legal team. Serve as the administrative manager and immigration legal expert of the legal team, mentor and supervise attorneys and members of the legal team. Occasional travel will be required. Participation in organizational events and meetings will be required.
Administrative Management of Legal Program and Legal Team
Serve as day-to-day administrative and personnel manager of SDVFP’s legal staff and help foster an inclusive, collaborative and supportive work environment.
Identify and pursue ways to improve efficiency in work and information flow.
Oversee coordination of grant management activities among attorneys and liaise with development staff regarding grant management, including facilitating timely and accurate reporting to grant funders.
Assist in grant writing in coordination with grant management team.
Draft outreach materials highlighting the SDVFP’s case docket and victories for external audiences.
Oversee coordination of communication activities among attorneys with communication staff.
Develop, implement and monitor the legal team’s annual budget and work to contain costs within the legal team in a manner that is consistent with any strategic plan and/or programmatic objectives.
Monitor staff and other resource allocation within the legal team (including approval of legal team travel) and assist the Executive Director in resource allocation decisions in light of strategic and/or programmatic objectives.
Work to acquire resources for the legal team, including library and online research resources.
Oversee and manage the recruitment, hiring, and professional development of all legal staff (final decisions regarding legal staff rest with the CEO.)
Oversee the orientation and training of legal staff, including training on new technology and ongoing professional development, in consultation with the Chief Operating Officer.
Implement the performance review process for legal staff in coordination with the CEO.
Oversee the case intake process, case strategy, and case problem-solving.
Oversee the management of the case docket and waitlist.
Oversee the use and implementation of the Case Database.
Stay up to date with dynamic immigration law and policy changes and impact on case docket.
Mentor legal team, providing both legal knowledge support and mental health support.
Identify and implement systems to ensure best practices within the legal team, including with respect to retainer agreements, co-counsel agreements, billing rates, and compliance with professional ethics.
Assist with legal team recruitment, including law school interns/externs and CHW interns/externs, by forming relationships with law schools and other appropriate organizations to obtain quality candidates; attend job fairs, etc.
Cases may be assigned depending on case docket and licensing.
Organizational Strategy & Leadership
Serve as a member of SDVFP’s Management Team, providing insight, counsel and management assistance to the CEO and other Management Team members.
Work with the CEO and SDVFP Management Team to plan for and execute future legal team growth.
Assist the CEO with implementation of any strategic planning and goal-setting processes, and with the implementation of a strategic plan and/or programmatic objectives within the legal team.
Governance & General Counsel Work
Review and approve retainer agreements, contract lawyer and co-counsel agreements with outside legal teams and organizations.
Oversee and manage organizational compliance with all applicable laws and regulations pertaining to nonprofit organizations and South Dakota Ethical Rules of Professional Responsibility.
Work with the CEO to produce written reports regarding the legal team’s advocacy and case development work to SDVFP’s Boards of Directors as needed.
Work with SD Voices for Justice lobbyists to advance the goals of SD Voices and coalition partners. Support legislative advocacy with legal and policy analysis.
Provide staff support and guidance to SDVFP’s Boards of Directors as needed.
Additional Information
Our clients are children and adults who may have experienced extreme trauma that may include sexual assault, sexual exploitation and trafficking, physical cruelty, neglect or abuse, and mental cruelty. To work with and represent our clients, this position requires emotional resilience and crisis management skills that entail separating personal feelings and keeping professional boundaries with clients.
Qualifications
Demonstrated commitment to the mission and goals of SD Voices for Peace and SD Voices for Justice.
Licensed to practice law in any U.S. jurisdiction with the ability to join the South Dakota Bar (willing to take the next bar examination or waive in).
5+ years of immigration law experience; 5-8 years of experience practicing law.
Family law experience and state court process experience preferred.
Nonprofit and/or legal team management preferred.
Management experience in fast paced environment.
Solid financial skills, experience managing budgets preferred.
Board management experience, a plus.
Excellent writer; effective communicator.
Fluency in Spanish (written and spoken) preferred but not necessary.
Proven ability to work independently as well as within a team.
Proven ability to remain empathetic and professional when faced with emotional distress and conflict.
Demonstrated resilience and effective coping strategies for managing vicarious trauma and stress.
Exceptional communication and active listening skills, even in emotionally charged conversations.
Strong sense of self-awareness and ability to process your own emotional responses to challenging and complex situations.
Creating firm boundaries between attorney and clients.
Understanding that cases may not be resolved in the manner advocated for.
SDVFP is an equal opportunity employer and values a diverse and progressive workplace.
This is a full-time position. Competitive salary commensurate with experience. Health benefits; generous paid holidays; optional flexible schedule; student loan repayment; AILA membership, malpractice insurance and SD Bar dues included.
To Apply:
Email a one-page cover letter with salary requirements, resume (2 pages only) and one writing sample (1000 word max) in one PDF file to Executive Director Taneeza Islam taneeza@sdvfpeace.org . Please use the subject heading, “Managing Attorney Application” Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
The mission of South Dakota Voices for Peace is to build power and enable healing in immigrant, refugee communities by amplifying their voices and working in solidarity with all who dismantle bigotry and racism. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. SD Voices for Peace encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, and veteran status. South Dakota Voices for Justice is a sister organization providing direct lobbying services.
Job Title: Staff Attorney
Reports to: CEO
Location: Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Specific Functions:
The Staff Attorney carries out direct legal services to children in immigration court and survivors of violence with immigration legal needs living in South Dakota. The Staff Attorney will work on a team with case coordinators, paralegals, interns, Community Health Workers, and interpreters and will be supervised by the CEO, an immigration attorney. The Staff Attorney will have opportunities to conduct community presentations, develop educational material, and attend community meetings. Occasional travel includes Immigration Court, South Dakota State Court, and meeting with clients.
Primary Responsibilities:
Conduct intakes, legal research, fact development, work with multilingual clients, draft and file immigration filings, affidavits, briefs, and prepare clients for interviews and court proceedings.
Represent clients through immigration court proceedings and understand EOIR practices and procedures.
Develop trusting relationships with clients, community, staff, and stakeholders.
Firm adherence to all applicable Professional Responsibility and ethical standards.
Stay abreast of all policy and rule changes in immigration law.
Represent SDVFP at regional roundtables and committees pertaining to immigration law and our practice area.
Represent SDVFP at all meetings and events
Work with legal team to develop sound strategies in case management.
Adhere to case management policies and procedures.
Work with SDVFP team to develop public education materials and communication strategies.
Conduct relevant presentations in multilingual communities and ability to work with interpreters.
Work with SD Voices for Justice lobbyists to advance the goals of SD Voices and coalition partners. Support legislative advocacy with legal and policy analysis.
Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace using a personal approach that values all individuals and respects differences in race, ethnicity, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, ability, and socio-economic circumstance.
Commit to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and/or conflicts.
Travel as required.
Additional Information
Our clients are children who may have experienced extreme trauma that may include sexual assault, sexual exploitation and trafficking, physical cruelty, neglect or abuse, and mental cruelty. To work with and represent our clients, this position requires emotional resilience and crisis management skills that entail separating personal feelings and keeping professional boundaries with clients.
Qualifications:
Demonstrated commitment to the mission and goals of SD Voices for Peace and SD Voices for Justice.
Licensed to practice law in any U.S. jurisdiction with the ability to join the South Dakota Bar (willing to take the next bar examination or waive in).
1-3 years' experience in the legal field with an understanding of state court processes and immigration court processes, or willingness to learn.
Passionate commitment to and familiarity with immigrants’ rights, racial and social justice, and state issues around immigration.
Demonstrated ability to work with vulnerable clients.
Demonstrated ability to work with multilingual clients and interpreters.
Demonstrated ability to work with a multicultural team.
Fluency in Spanish (written and spoken) preferred but not necessary.
Proven ability to work independently as well as within a team.
Excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills.
Proven ability to remain empathetic and professional when faced with emotional distress and conflict.
Demonstrated resilience and effective coping strategies for managing vicarious trauma and stress.
Exceptional communication and active listening skills, even in emotionally charged conversations.
Strong sense of self-awareness and ability to process your own emotional responses to challenging and complex situations.
Creating firm boundaries between attorney and clients
Understanding that cases may not be resolved in the manner advocated for
SDVFP is an equal opportunity employer and values a diverse and progressive workplace.
This is a full-time position. Competitive salary commensurate with experience. Health benefits; generous paid holidays; optional flexible schedule; student loan repayment; AILA membership, malpractice insurance and SD Bar dues included.
To Apply:
Email a one-page cover letter with salary requirements, resume (2 pages only) and one writing sample (1000 word max) in one PDF file to CEO Taneeza Islam taneeza@sdvfpeace.org. Please use the subject heading, “Staff Attorney Application” Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
The mission of South Dakota Voices for Peace is to build power and enable healing in immigrant, refugee communities by amplifying their voices and working in solidarity with all who dismantle bigotry and racism. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. SD Voices for Peace encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, and veteran status. South Dakota Voices for Justice is a sister organization providing direct lobbying services. Learn more at www.sdvfpeace.org or “SD Voices for Peace” on FB, @sdvfpeace on IG and Twitter.
