MANAGING Attorney

Job Description

HANA Center (HANA) is a Chicago-area, community-based non-profit organization working to meet the critical needs of Korean, Asian American, and multiethnic immigrant communities and build power toward systemic change. HANA Center has offices in Chicago and Prospect Heights, Illinois. 

HANA’s Immigration & Legal Services support 5,000 community members each year to access critical protections and build their legal capacity through completion of citizenship and DACA applications, participation in civic classes, pro bono legal consultation, Know Your Rights training, and legal representation for Adjustment of Status, VAWA, U-Visa, T-Visa, TPS, FOIA, consular processing, asylum, bond hearing, and removal defense cases.

The Managing Attorney is responsible for leading HANA’s immigration program providing high quality legal services for low-income, multiethnic immigrants in Chicago and the northwest suburbs. The Managing Attorney works closely with HANA’s fully accredited DOJ representative to provide direct legal services to eligible community members, supervise legal support staff, and conduct program outreach. Common cases handled by the attorney include Adjustment of Status, VAWA, U-Visa, T-Visa, TPS, FOIA, and asylum.

Major Responsibilities

  • Provide direct representation for community members seeking various forms of immigration relief including complex cases (Asylum, U Visa, VAWA, Removal Defense)

  • Manage and provide legal supervision to staff, volunteers, and interns on their immigration practice case load and case management 

  • Develop and maintain training standards and materials for all immigration staff in close consultation with HANA’s DOJ Accredited Representative 

  • Advocate for community members before USCIS, ICE, CBP, NVC, EOIR, and other government agencies 

  • Make appropriate referrals for immigration legal services beyond the scope of the program 

  • Perform factual and legal research and continually monitor changes in immigration law, regulations, and policy 

  • Work with Senior Manager of Social Services to develop immigration program policies and procedures to ensure contractual and legal compliance as well as establishing program performance standards 

  • Conduct strategic outreach to promote awareness about HANA’s programs and foster collaborative opportunities with other HANA programs and external partners 

  • Prepare clear and concise reports for grant proposals and reports, including maintaining

  • Ensure compliance with ethical rules and all applicable regulations 

  • Participate in regular staff meetings, staff training, and supervisory sessions

  • Other duties as assigned

Key Qualifications

  • Demonstrated commitment to immigrant rights and social, economic, and racial justice 

  • Belief in communities’ ability to support each other, heal, organize, and achieve desired goals together 

  • Experience working on Korean American, Asian American, immigrant community issues, and/or social, economic, and racial justice issues preferred 

  • Juris Doctorate (JD) degree, law license, and minimum of 5 years experience in immigration law; experience in immigration court is required 

  • Minimum of 2 years experience managing and supervising staff 

  • Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills; empathic listener sensitive to legal issues experienced by diverse immigrant communities 

  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively and build relationships with people of diverse social, economic, racial/ethnic, and faith backgrounds 

  • Proactive self-starter with a solution-oriented mindset, willingness to take initiative, and excellent problem-solving skills 

  • Ability to stay organized, manage a high volume workload, and work under strict deadlines 

  • Proficiency using Microsoft and Google suites; prior experience with LawLogix a plus 

  • Strong proofreading and detail-oriented research, writing, and analytical skills 

  • Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from community members and the general public 

  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team 

  • Bilingual proficiency (read, speak, write) in Spanish and/or Korean required 

  • A valid driver’s license, access to a car, and ability to travel between HANA’s offices in Chicago and Prospect Heights 

  • Flexibility to work some evenings and weekends as required

Reports To: Senior Manager of Social Services

Compensation: This is a full-time position with a salary range of $80,000-$90,000 and benefits that include paid time off, health, dental, vision, short-term disability, long-term disability, life, and 401K. 

Application: Applicants should submit a resume and cover letter to jobs@hanacenter.org with the subject “Managing Attorney.” 

HANA Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Women, people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals are encouraged to apply.