Legal Services Director

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allas, TX (Hybrid)M

ust be in the office at least 2-3 days per week

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bout HRIF

or the past 25 years, HRI has been committed to offering comprehensive legal services for courageous and resilient immigrant survivors of human rights abuses from around the world. Our work is funded by contributions from the private and public sectors.

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ur organization is driven by the following Core Values, which are integral to how we operate. These Core Values are expected of every stakeholder of HRI:

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• oster RespectP
• romote StewardshipD
• emonstrate CommitmentA
• ct with IntegrityU
• phold AccountabilityM
• aintain Service Excellent

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osition Summary

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RI is seeking a strategic and dedicated Legal Services Director to join our team. While the role includes limited direct representation and pro bono mentorship, the primary focus is on managing a high-performing team, strengthening internal systems, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality legal services.

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he Director oversees legal strategy, team supervision, and casework in core relief areas including asylum, VAWA, U-visa, SIJS, and secondary reliefs such as AOS, work permits and naturalization. Deep expertise in all areas is not required, but candidates must have working knowledge of humanitarian immigration law and a resourceful, growth-oriented mindset.

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eporting to the Executive Director and serving on the Senior Leadership Team, the Director must bring strong management experience, a collaborative leadership style, and a commitment to trauma-informed, client-centered services. The role supervises attorneys, DOJ Accredited Representatives, legal support staff, fellows, and interns.

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nnual goals for this position include: 

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• onduct monthly case file reviews and provide feedback and guidance as needed.E
• nsure 100% compliance with grant or program deliverables.S
• et at least 3 annual performance goals for direct reports and provide guidance to supervisors in setting annual performance goals for their direct reports.E
• stablish quarterly performance conversations across legal team.

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n the first 6 months, the Legal Services Director will achieve the following:

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• old weekly 1:1 meetings with direct reports.H
• old weekly team meetings to support problem solving, planning, and coordination.M
• eet with at least 8 existing probono partners to establish rapport and garner feedback.E
• stablish clear performance expectations and goals for legal team.A
• ssess current workflows, identify gaps, and refine at least two core systems or set of procedures.R
• eview 40 casefiles to determine legal accuracy, completeness, and compliance and provide recommendations for improvement.R
• edesign and implement an improved consultation screening process to ensure consistent and thorough vetting of cases prior to acceptance.

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esponsibilities  

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upervision/Management (40%)

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• ffectively lead the legal team using the Leadership, Management, and Accountability (LMA) framework to foster a high-performance, mission-aligned culture.C
• learly communicate roles, responsibilities, expectations, and performance standards across the legal team.D
• irectly supervise senior or staff attorneys, and support their effective supervision of DOJ reps, legal assistants, and interns.S
• erve as a subject-matter resource, offering guidance on complex cases and coordinating support across teams and pro bono attorneys or seek guidance from external experts or resources.D
• eliver timely, constructive feedback and support professional growth through coaching, mentorship, and development planning.O
• versee quality onboarding/offboarding, training, and integration of new legal staff to ensure continuity and consistency.

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ro-bono Program Support (25%) 

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• creen and evaluate potential cases for pro bono placement in collaboration with legal team.S
• upport recruitment, onboarding, and retention of pro bono attorneys.P
• rovide hands-on mentorship to pro bono attorneys throughout case preparation: 
• Help develop legal strategy and assist with research as needed. 
• Guide case preparation and review all filings before submission to courts and agencies. 
• Help prepare attorneys & clients for hearings & interviews before EIOR, USCIS, & Texas state courts.S
• uccessfully contribute to the creation and maintenance of training materials, templates, and resources for pro bono attorneys.M
• aintain accurate case records in HRI’s case management system (LollyLaw).C
• omplete administrative and compliance-related tasks tied to pro bono representation.

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irect Representation (15%) 

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• anage a limited caseload, including case strategy development, client preparation, legal research, and representation before EOIR, USCIS, and Texas state courts.C
• onsistently ensure complete and accurate case documentation using HRI’s LollyLaw system, with a strong emphasis on virtual file management.E
• ffectively direct and coordinate the handing of associated administrative and procedural tasks with assigned legal assistant. 

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rogram/Budget Oversight & Sustainability (10%) 

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• artner with the Executive Director to evaluate programmatic needs and identify opportunities for sustainability or strategic growth.M
• onitor legal program budgets and grant deliverables, including planning, forecasting, reporting, and compliance.M
• aintain timely, accurate case data for grant administration, performance tracking, and organizational reporting.C
• ollaborate with the Development team and Executive Director on proposals and funding opportunities to sustain and expand legal services. 

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dditional Responsibilities (10%) 

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• emain up to date on immigration or program developments through regular training, CLE participation, and professional engagement, and ensure timely dissemination of key updates and practice changes to the legal team.P
• articipate in trainings and communication facilitated by our federal grant administrator.B
• uild and maintain strategic partnerships with law schools, community organizations, bar associations, and other stakeholders.R
• epresent HRI at public events and speaking engagements (some evening and weekend participation may be required).P
• erform other duties as needed to support departmental or organizational needs. 

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ualifications 

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ssential Job Qualifications: 

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• uris Doctor and licensed to practice law in Texas, or ability to waive into Texas bar within 6 months in the position.2
•  to 3 years experience in supervising and training attorneys or other legal staff.4
•  to 5 years of experience in immigration law.A
• bility to address complex legal problems strategically by utilizing a variety of approaches.S
• trong management, planning, and organizational skills, having the ability to handle multiple priorities and deadlines while being strategic and forward-looking.S
• trong commitment to HRI’s Core Values and mission.P
• roficiency with technology, or a demonstrated willingness to independently learn and master new systems.A
• bility to maintain strict confidentiality.

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referred Job Qualifications:  

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• ilingual language skills in Spanish.E
• xperience in removal defense.A
• ppellate litigation experience.E
• xperience with Texas family law.E
• xperience working with survivors of trauma.E
• xperience working with children.A
• dditional language(s) proficiency. 

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alary and Benefits

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he position is a full-time exempt position. The salary range is $103,000 - $113,000, commensurate with experience. Our comprehensive benefits package includes:

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• ffordable and robust health, vision, dental, and ancillary benefits offeringsP
• aid parental leaveE
• mployer paid short-term disability benefitE
• mployee Assistance ProgramF
• lexible work hoursH
• ybrid schedule (minimum two days in-office a week: Wednesday is mandatory)1
• 1 paid holidays, 1 floating holiday, a week-long holiday closure between December and January, and generous vacation and sick time 

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hysical Demands

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• bility to sit at a desk and work on a computer for extended periods.M
• anual dexterity for keyboard use.C
• lear verbal communication skills in person and over the phone.O
• ccasionally lift objects up to 15 pounds. 

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qual Opportunity Employer

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he Human Rights Initiative of North Texas is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, disability, marital status, or veteran status. 

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e are a fair chance employer. A criminal background check will be conducted prior to finalizing an offer of employment. 

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pplication Instructions T

o apply, please send a cover letter and resume to Shalaina Abioye at sabioye@hrionline.org