Job Title: Legal Director 

Reports To: Executive Director  

Job Type: Full-Time Exempt: in-office with one day per week remote after 6 months  

Salary: From $120,000/yr

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​Position Overview

The Legal Director oversees all legal services at Asylum Clinic Kansas City, carries a direct representation case load, and serves as the organization’s leading legal strategist. The Legal Director is a leadership role for an experienced immigration attorney. Ideal candidates for this role will have a demonstrated committed to justice, human dignity, and legal advocacy for vulnerable immigrant populations.

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About Asylum Clinic Kansas City (ACKC)​

As the region’s only humanitarian, pro bono immigration attorneys, ACKC provides direct representation to clients who are most in need – those who can’t afford an attorney. By providing free legal representation, we empower individuals and families to navigate complex, high-stakes legal processes, and we realize our values of human dignity, justice, and due process.

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Duties and Responsibilities

Direct Representation

• Maintain a limited caseload with an emphasis on high-impact cases in adjustment of status, U/T Visas, asylum, removal defense, humanitarian parole, and special immigrant juvenile visas

Supervision of the Legal Team

• Ensure high-quality legal representation for all clients and grants 

• Supervise staff attorneys, paralegals, and other legal staff

• Provide or facilitate mentorship, CLE opportunities, training, and professional development for all legal staff

Legal Strategy

• Develop and implement the agency’s legal strategy in alignment with ACKC mission, values, and community need

• Monitor changes in immigration law and guide organizational response

• Ensure currency and legal compliance of legal strategy, policy, and standard operating procedures                              

Operations and Systems

• Serve as Deputy Executive Director as needed  

• Design and maintain systems for client intake, case tracking, grant reporting, and other systems as appropriate

Partnerships and Community Engagement  

• Build and maintain community partnerships

• Serve as a spokesperson for ACKC

• Facilitate collaboration with partner attorneys and service organizations

 

Required Qualifications​

• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school

• Active bar membership in good standing

• Minimum of five years of experience of direct representation in immigration law

• Expertise in humanitarian immigration law (asylum, SIJS, U visas, T visas)

• Experience serving vulnerable immigrant populations

• Strong management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities

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Preferred Qualifications​

• At least two years of experience leading legal teams or supervising attorneys

• Bilingual Spanish/English proficiency

• Experience managing grant-funded legal programs

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Compensation and Benefits​

• Salary starting from $120,000/yr, commensurate with experience  

• Fully paid health, dental, and vision insurance for employees

• Life insurance

• Pre-tax retirement plan with 3% match

• 12 paid federal holidays, and four weeks paid time off

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Work Schedule

This is a full-time, in-person position based in Kansas City, Missouri. Standard hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with flexibility as needed and a possible one day remote per week offered after 6 months of employment.

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How to Apply

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and three references to clare@asylumclinickc.org with the subject line “Legal Director – [Your Name].” Apply by email only, no phone calls please. In your cover letter, please explain why you are interested in this position and how your experience and qualifications align with the requirements of the role. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. Thank you for your interest in joining our team! 

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Equal Opportunity Employer

ACKC is an equal opportunity employer. ACKC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or any other legally protected status.