About the Organization

Founded in 1979, the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) is the leading advocacy organization in the U.S. exclusively dedicated to defending and advancing the rights and opportunities of low-income immigrants and their loved ones. NILC’s mission is grounded in the belief that everyone living in the U.S. regardless of race, gender/gender identity, immigration status, or economic status — should have equal access to justice, resources, and educational and economic opportunities that enable them to achieve their full human potential. NILC is committed to advancing its mission — which intersects race, immigration status, class and democracy defense — through a racial, economic, and gender justice and equity orientation.

NILC has undertaken litigation, policy advocacy, communications, and network-building efforts to help immigrants make healthy and secure lives for their families, build and exercise political power, and become integral participants in US democracy. NILC has evolved from an issue-expert resource for legal aid lawyers and immigrants’ rights advocates to a movement-building leader that uses its unparalleled authority on laws and public policy to improve the lives and livelihoods of low-income immigrants nationally, and to support immigrant-led organizing. You can read more about our approach and strategic framework here. 

About the Role 

As a member of the Legal Strategy and Litigation Department, the Director, Litigation (the Director) is a subject matter expert that leads and executes litigation work at NILC. As a vital part of NILC’s day-to-day work, the Director is responsible for leading litigation efforts to protect the rights of low-income immigrant communities in coordination with NILC’s other core strategies of policy analysis, movement power building, strategic communications, and narrative change. This work is led by a team focused on meeting the demands of this moment for NILC’s communities. In 2025, the team was the first on the ground to stop the middle-of-the-night deportation of hundreds of Guatemalan children - successfully convincing a judge to halt deportations for an entire class of plaintiffs moments before their planes took off from the runway. In addition, the Legal Strategy and Litigation department, in collaboration with other teams at NILC, has launched the Democracy Defense project to fight back against the administration’s use of an authoritarian playbook to attack immigrant communities, the rule of law, and democratic norms.    

We are looking for an experienced civil litigator and legal advocate who will successfully lead litigation teams in the identification, development, and conduct of impact litigation and legal advocacy and who is both results-driven and client-centered. We are looking for a leader who is a relationship builder committed to NILC’s mission and values of racial justice and equity; values diversity; fosters partnerships and collaboration; encourages respect and personal well-being; and strives for transparency, integrity, and honesty in all their work.

The Director supports the Executive Vice President, Advocacy; the Vice President, Litigation and Legal Strategy; and other Directors across the Advocacy team to set litigation strategy. They are responsible for a mix of litigation, strategy setting, supervision, and team leadership. The Director works in close coordination with counterparts in the Policy, Strategy and Partnerships, Strategic Communications, and Development teams, and other local and national partners to advance NILC’s goals via litigation within the strategic framework. The Director will lead a robust litigation strategy for immigrant justice that is people- and community-centered and grounded in intersectional rights and needs of low-income immigrants in the United States.

The Director will provide leadership and drive success in the following key areas:

• Leadership and Strategy (30%): The Director will work collaboratively with the Legal Management Team (LMT) in the development and execution of strategies that integrate litigation with narrative change, movement power building, and campaign tactics in support of broader immigrants’ rights movement strategies. The Director will proactively communicate to leadership about programmatic developments, administrative needs, and broader institutional concerns, while identifying and collaborating on constructive solutions. They will work with other teams to effectively leverage the resources and talents across the organization and ensure that the Legal Department’s work is integrated and well-coordinated across departments and key partners. The Director will also represent NILC externally with media, funders, and partners.  

• Litigation (50%): The Director will strategically, creatively, and boldly oversee and advance client-driven, community-grounded impact litigation in combination with NILC’s other core strategies of policy advocacy, communications, and movement building.  They will develop and lead litigation on behalf of NILC and its clients in complex cases that align with NILC’s goals and priorities, including serving as lead counsel and supporting and overseeing a team of attorneys on their cases and investigations. They will serve as a subject matter expert related in one or more of the areas in which NILC litigates, including access to healthcare, access to education, democracy defense, workers’ rights, or enforcement. The Director will also provide litigation analysis regarding policies, executive orders, legislation, and other legal actions to support campaigns and programs that advance NILC’s mission. 

• Management and Supervision (20%): The Director, Litigation will supervise, support, and mentor a team of attorneys, paralegals, and fellows, including in the development of both litigation and professional skills. The Director will oversee case teams and review teams’ work product to ensure the quality and strategic alignment of court filings. In addition, the Director will help maintain clear and transparent protocols for NILC’s litigation work, including supporting the Director, Legal Strategy and other members of the Legal Management Team with the oversight of intake, case approvals, and staffing.

In recognition of the fluidity of the work and ecosystem that NILC operates in, other duties may be assigned depending on organizational need.

What We’re Looking for in This Role

• Commitment to NILC’s Mission, Values and Approach

  • Commitment to NILC’s mission of advancing the rights of immigrants with low income and a demonstrated commitment to human rights, racial, economic, and social justice, and equity, diversity, inclusion, and justice for all. 

  • Collaborative, proactive, and action-oriented working style with a strong service mentality promoting mutual accountability and inspiring trust and confidence from colleagues, other NILC team members, and NILC leaders alike. 

  • Desire and ability to integrate legal practice with organizing, policy change, and other adjacent work. 

  • Ability to consistently integrate deep understanding of key racial equity concepts into work projects and interactions by addressing structural implications and disproportionate impacts of policies, activities, and decisions on race, class, and other group identities within the context of job responsibilities and projects.

  • A track record of partnership and coalition building with diverse groups of external partners, including law firms, organizers, community leaders, and other legal advocacy organizations; proven success engaging with diverse communities and centering their experience and voices. 

• Litigation Leadership Skills

  • A seasoned litigator who can build cases from beginning to end, can handle all aspects of litigation and is comfortable leading and managing litigation teams across states and issue areas.

  • Sound judgment in decision-making, high integrity, and utmost respect for confidentiality. 

  • Self-drive, motivation, and high expectations of self. 

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills: ability to analyze, interpret and draft documents such as reports, correspondence, and presentations for various audiences.  

  • Self-starter with a strong strategic ability to move daily tasks forward in alignment with NILC’s broader organizational needs and goals. 

  • Commitment to legal practice that empowers collective vision and action by low-income immigrants and their loved ones. 

• Team Management Skills

  • Ability to recognize each team member's unique background and perspective to achieve team goals in a positive and motivating working environment. 

  • Ability to support an all-remote team through clear communication and meaningful feedback. 

  • An inclusive management style that places deep value on diverse perspectives and emphasizes the development and growth of team members and encourages learning and continued improvement.

  • Humility and a can-do attitude.

• Commitment to respectful, healthy practices related to work and a recognition of the commitments and needs of team members outside of typical working hours. The team works hard to recognize and appreciate where urgency is required and to respect the balance needed to ensure long-term sustained commitment. 

Required Qualifications 

• Juris Doctor from an accredited school and an active member in good standing with a State Bar. 

• At least 10 years of combined experience in litigation at a nonprofit, social justice organization or law firm that includes substantial experience in federal courts, appellate practice.  

• 4+ years of leadership/management experience including legal supervision, case development, and project management.

• Demonstrated experience in initiating and leading litigation in federal courts.

• Demonstrated ability to independently assess staffing needs of litigation in order to build case teams.

• Demonstrated experience in immigration, education, healthcare, labor/employment, and/or civil rights law showing excellent skills and innovative strategies. 

• Proficiency with in-office and virtual environments and software such as MS Office, Westlaw, PACER, and virtual collaboration tools. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience using multiple tools – including impact litigation, policy advocacy, and narrative change, to further a cause, ideally in a social justice context.

• Proficiency in a second language. Fluency in more than one language is desirable.

• Familiarity with Clio or similar case management platforms. 

At NILC, we know that talented people may have different backgrounds or experiences, and if your education and experience doesn’t exactly align with the above that’s okay! NILC believes that diversity in all dimensions of the organization supports and bolsters the innovative thinking essential to its success and is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all qualified applicants. NILC’s goal is for our people to reflect the communities in which we live and serve and to ensure representation of people of color, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities in our organization. We encourage you to apply and let us know in your cover letter why you are qualified and the right fit for this role and NILC. 

Work Environment

Location & Travel: This role can be remote within approved states (list below) with travel, including to NILC's office in Washington, D.C. For this role, up to 30% of overnight interstate travel may be required; travel is typically quarterly to the NILC Washington, DC office or another location within the US for 3-5 nights. 

Remote work locations are as follows: (Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Georgia, Maryland, Montana, North Carolina, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin).  To be considered, applicants must live in one of the work locations.

Compensation: The salary range for this role is $150,000-$170,000.  

NILC’s compensation philosophy is to pay competitively in the nonprofit sector and ensure equity across the organization. Compensation for the role will depend on several factors including qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience. 

NILC provides an incredible benefit package that includes employer-paid healthcare coverage (100% for employees and 75% for dependents), employer-supported dental and vision coverage, a 403(b)-retirement plan including an automatic contribution from NILC, paid parental leave, monthly cell phone and wellness stipends, pre-tax accounts for transit, health, and childcare benefits (FSA), and employer-paid short- and long-term disability and life insurance. NILC also provides a generous paid-time-off policy, 15 holidays and 22 days of paid time off annually (increased to 32 after 2 years of employment).

NILC is also a qualifying public service employer, which means all full-time NILC employees qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. To learn more about the program, please visit  https://studentaid.gov/pslf/. 

Physical Demands

• Remaining in a stationary position, often standing, or sitting for prolonged periods

• Communicating with others to exchange information.

• Repeating motions, like typing or answering a phone, that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.

This role is not a member of the Bargaining Unit. 

To Apply 

This search is being supported by Meredith Horton and Callie Carroll of MPH Concepts. Applications should be submitted to NILCLitDir@mphconcepts.net. Applications should include a resume and cover letter that communicates your interest and qualifications for the role. Priority will be given to applications received by June 30th, though applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

Please note: Your application will be reviewed by a human, so we appreciate your patience as we take the time to consider each set of materials. While all hiring processes are human-centered and therefore subject to change, we anticipate moving through the following steps:

·         Preliminary screening interview with MPH Concepts

·         Brief written questionnaire 

·         In-depth interview with MPH Concepts

·         Panel Interview with NILC Team Members

·         Interview with VP, Litigation & Legal Strategy (may include brief exercise)

·         Final interview with NILC President 

·         Reference checks

NILC is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. NILC encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, record of arrest or conviction and any other characteristic protected by applicable law.