Director, Litigation

About NILC

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, 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 through a racial, economic, and gender justice and equity orientation.

What We’re Looking For
We are looking for entrepreneurial, results-driven, relationship builders who are committed to NILC’s mission and values of racial justice & equity, valuing diversity, fostering partnerships & collaboration, encouraging respect & personal well-being, and striving for transparency, integrity, and honesty.

About The Role

The Director, Litigation (the Director) is a subject matter expert who leads and executes the Legal Department’s litigation work at NILC. The Director leads NILC’s litigation efforts to protect the rights of low-income immigrant communities. The Director is an experienced civil litigator and legal advocate who leads litigation teams in identifying, developing, and conducting impact litigation and legal advocacy in coordination with NILC’s core strategies of policy analysis, movement power building, strategic communications, and narrative change.

The Litigation Director supports the Executive Vice President, Advocacy, the Vice President, Litigation and Legal Strategy, and other Directors across the Advocacy team to set overall litigation strategy. They are responsible for a mix of substantive and strategic work, supervision, and departmental operations to maximize the team’s efficiency, productivity, litigation skills, and performance. The Director works with counterparts in the Policy, Strategy and Partnerships, Strategic Communications, and Development teams, NILC’s Immigrant Justice Fund (501(c)4), and other partners to advance NILC’s goals via litigation within the strategic framework. The Director will lead the execution of 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.

This role is not a member of the Bargaining Unit.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Leadership and Strategy (50%)
  • Collaborate with the Vice President, Litigation and Legal Strategy in developing and executing strategic litigation strategies, guiding team members to integrate litigation, narrative change, movement building, and campaign strategies.
  • Oversee the implementation of an impact litigation and legal advocacy strategy; develop legal theories and cases; lead teams litigating cases.
  • Lead litigation teams in preparing pleadings, motions, briefs; conduct discovery; present oral arguments; handle trials and appeals; assume greater case responsibilities as needed.
  • Collaborate with other departments to leverage resources and talents across the organization.
  • May serve as a spokesperson with the media, testify before Congress, and present at conferences to advance NILC’s mission and litigation strategies.
  • Engage with key stakeholders, including movement allies, donors, and board members, including providing periodic reports to the board of directors.
• Litigation (30%)
  • Oversee and advance client-driven, community-grounded impact litigation in alignment with NILC’s core strategies.
  • Lead litigation on behalf of NILC as lead counsel when needed.
  • Serve as a subject matter expert in areas such as access to healthcare, education, democracy defense, workers’ rights, or civil rights enforcement.
  • Provide litigation analysis on policies, orders, legislation, and actions to support campaigns and programs.
  • Identify potential new litigation and develop cases in collaboration with staff and partners.
  • Represent NILC and its clients in complex cases that align with NILC’s goals.
  • Supervise and mentor Staff Attorneys, Senior Staff Attorneys, and NILC Legal Fellows in litigating complex civil cases in federal and state courts.
  • Partner with Advocacy directors and campaign leads to ensure Legal Department work is integrated across departments and partners.
  • Develop and maintain relationships with law firms, clinics, co-counsel, and coalition partners.
• Management, Supervision, and Operations (20%)
  • Develop and operationalize protocols for the litigation work and operation of the Legal team.
  • Oversee staff development, identify skill gaps, support training, and reinforce litigation skills.
  • Provide guidance in litigation and integration with NILC’s core strategies and external relationships.
  • Oversee legal intake, case approval, and staffing; supervise and mentor staff and fellows.
  • Coordinate schedules to ensure representation from the Legal department in areas of current or potential litigation.
  • Provide litigation mentorship and ongoing professional development.
  • Share feedback on performance and support growth of team members.
  • Report on programmatic developments and institutional needs; collaborate on solutions.
  • Support Development Department activities as needed.
  • May participate in cross-functional projects using MOCHA framework/methodology.
• Supervisory Responsibilities
  • Recruit, interview, hire, onboard, and train staff; oversee daily workflow of direct reports.
  • Coach and mentor, provide timely feedback, and support problem-solving and professional growth.
  • Manage performance, including documentation and coaching; address discipline per policy.
  • Directly manage employees with potential for additional staff; manage outside consultants and vendors.
• Shared Organization Responsibilities
  • Champion NILC & IJF’s mission and demonstrate commitment to human rights, racial and economic justice.
  • Attend and participate in NILC meetings; develop relationships across teams and celebrate diverse perspectives.
  • Follow through on commitments with ownership; monitor work and measure results; seek feedback.
  • Learns quickly by experimenting, taking on new tasks, and learning from failures.
  • Act with integrity and confidentiality; align words with actions.
  • Center NILC’s values of racial justice, equity, diversity, collaboration, well-being, transparency, and honesty in decisions and actions.

In recognition of the fluidity of the work, other duties may be assigned depending on organizational need.

What We’re Looking For In This Role

• Commitment to NILC & IJF’s mission and to human rights, racial, economic, and social justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, and justice for all.
• Seasoned litigator capable of building cases from start to finish and leading litigation teams across states and issue areas.
• Collaborative, proactive, and action-oriented with a service mindset and ability to build trust across teams.
• Sound judgment, high integrity, and respect for confidentiality.
• Self-motivated, with high personal standards and accountability.
• Excellent verbal and written communication; ability to draft reports, correspondence, and presentations for diverse audiences.
• Strategic thinker who moves tasks forward in alignment with NILC’s goals.
• Commitment to legal practice that empowers collective action by low-income immigrants and families.
• Ability to integrate legal work with organizing, policy change, and related efforts.
• Ability to apply racial equity concepts to projects, addressing structural impacts of policies.
• Proven partnership and coalition-building with diverse external partners; experience engaging with communities and centering their voices.
• Excellent writing and public-speaking skills; ability to communicate complex legal issues accessibly.
• Ability to develop and coach a team, foster inclusive management, and encourage learning and growth.
• Humility and a can-do attitude.

Qualifications Required

Please upload a cover letter and a writing sample

• 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, including substantial federal court and appellate experience, with 4+ years of leadership/management experience including supervision, case development, and project management.
• Demonstrated experience initiating and leading litigation in federal courts.
• Demonstrated ability to assess staffing needs for litigation.
• Experience in immigration, education, healthcare, labor/employment, or civil rights law with strong skills and innovative strategies.
• Proficiency with MS Office, Westlaw, PACER, and virtual collaboration tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience using impact litigation, policy advocacy, and narrative change in a social justice context.
• Proficiency in a second language; bilingualism is desirable.
• Familiarity with Clio or similar case management platforms.

At NILC, we recognize diverse backgrounds and encourage applicants who may not meet every qualification to apply. NILC is committed to equal employment opportunity. We aim for our staff to reflect the communities we serve.

Work Environment

Location & Travel
NILC’s office is in Washington, DC. Up to 30% overnight travel may be required; travel typically quarterly for 3-5 nights.

Remote work locations: AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, GA, MD, MT, NC, NM, NY, OR, SC, TX, UT, VA, WI. Applicants must live in one of these locations.

Compensation

NILC’s compensation philosophy is to pay competitively in the nonprofit sector with equity across the organization. Salary range for this opportunity: $140,000 - $175,000 . NILC provides a comprehensive benefits package including employer-paid health coverage (100% for employees, 75% for dependents), dental and vision coverage, a 403(b) retirement plan with employer contributions, paid parental leave, stipends, pre-tax accounts, disability and life insurance, and generous PTO (15 holidays and 22 days annually, increasing to 32 after 2 years).

NILC is a qualifying public service employer; full-time employees qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. Learn more .

Physical Demands

• Remaining in a stationary position for prolonged periods
• Communicating with others to exchange information
• Typing or related repetitive motions

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