Litigation Director

THE ORGANIZATION

Al Otro Lado is a binational legal services and immigrant rights organization serving

immigrants, asylum seekers and deported persons in Southern California, Tijuana,

México, and beyond. We approach cases using a multidisciplinary, client-centered,

harm reduction-based lens, and engage in zealous individual representation,

medical-legal partnerships, human rights monitoring and impact litigation to protect the

rights of individual immigrants and challenge systemic practices that violate the human

rights of immigrant communities. We leverage vital partnerships with community-based

organizations and academic institutions, and engage thousands of volunteers to

maximize our impact and help build a broad-based immigrant justice movement.

Al Otro Lado’s U.S. Based Advocacy team provides holistic, full-scale representation

to particularly vulnerable immigrants, including unaccompanied children, members of

the LGBTQA+ community, Indigenous migrants, Black migrants, torture survivors,

survivors of human trafficking, clients with disabilities/medical vulnerabilities, and

clients whose cases present family unity concerns. AOL’s holistic representation

strategy includes identifying a client’s needs, goals, and challenges, and seeking to

achieve their best immigration outcomes, not only through legal services but also by

connecting individuals with support to overcome the non-legal obstacles they face in

their cases.

For more information about our organization, please visit us on our website at:

alotrolado.org/ or visit us on social media: Instagram and Twitter: @alotrolado_org;

Facebook: Al Otro Lado.

LITIGATION DIRECTOR POSITION

The Litigation Director will be responsible for leading the organization’s litigation

strategy and managing cases that seek to advance the rights of immigrants at the U.S.

border and in detention. This individual will spearhead efforts to challenge unjust

immigration policies, advocate for legal reforms, and ensure that vulnerable

communities receive robust legal representation. The Litigation Director will lead a team

of attorneys and legal professionals, manage complex cases, and collaborate closely

with other departments to achieve impactful outcomes for the immigrant and migrant

populations we serve.

JOB DUTIES

The Litigation Director responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Strategic Litigation Management

• Develop and lead the litigation strategy to support the organization's mission of

protecting immigrant rights at the U.S. border and in detention facilities.

• Identify, assess, and prioritize high-impact legal cases, including class actions,

individual representation, and policy challenges.

• Oversee the management of ongoing litigation, working closely with external

counsel and legal teams to ensure the efficient and effective execution of legal

strategies.

• Collaborate with policy and advocacy teams to align litigation efforts with

broader organizational goals, such as challenging discriminatory immigration

laws and advocating for migrant protections.

Case Management and Legal Oversight

• Lead and manage complex litigation efforts related to immigration, refugee law,

asylum claims, and other border-related issues.

• Provide hands-on leadership in drafting legal briefs, motions, and other legal

documents; conducting legal research; and managing litigation filings.

• Ensure that all legal filings and case management procedures comply with

relevant laws and regulations.

• Lead efforts to gather evidence and testimony in support of litigation, including

working with clients, community partners, and expert witnesses.

• Represent the organization in court proceedings, settlement negotiations, and

other legal forums.

Advocacy and Public Impact

• Serve as a public-facing representative of the organization in legal matters,

providing expert testimony and commentary on cases and issues affecting

immigrants and migrants.

• Work with the communications and advocacy teams to strategize and promote

key legal victories, raise awareness about critical cases, and mobilize support

for legal reforms.

• Build and nurture relationships with stakeholders in the legal, advocacy, and

policy communities, including other organizations, policymakers, and

governmental entities.

Leadership and Team Management

• Supervise and mentor legal staff, including attorneys, paralegals, and legal

interns, fostering a collaborative and mission-driven work environment.

• Provide ongoing professional development and training for legal staff on

immigration law, litigation skills, and best practices in serving vulnerable

populations.

• Manage legal teams involved in multiple ongoing cases, ensuring that deadlines

are met and that quality standards are upheld.

• Contribute to the organizational culture by promoting teamwork, inclusivity, and

a shared commitment to immigrant and migrant rights.

Fundraising & Development

• Partner with the development team to identify and pursue new funding

opportunities, including grants, contracts, and other revenue streams.

• Support proposal development by providing program insights, budget needs,

and deliverable definitions.

• Participate in donor engagement and fundraising events to communicate

program impact and build organizational support.

Compliance and Risk Management

• Monitor developments in immigration law and policy that may impact ongoing

litigation or create new opportunities for legal action.

• Ensure that all legal activities and litigation efforts adhere to ethical standards

and best practices in public interest law.

• Advise senior leadership on the potential risks and benefits of litigation

strategies, and help to develop organizational responses to changing legal and

political climates.

Other duties, as needed, in keeping with the organization's mission and goals.

QUALIFICATIONS

This is a full-time, exempt position with an annual salary range of $150,000-$175,000

DOE and includes a comprehensive benefits package. This position will report to the

Executive Director.

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Active California State Bar License
• At least 7 years of litigation experience, particularly in immigration law, civil

rights, or public interest law.

• Strong knowledge of immigration law, asylum, refugee protections, and

border-related legal issues.

• Proven experience managing complex litigation, including working on class

actions, impact litigation, and federal court cases.

• Demonstrated leadership experience, including managing teams of legal

professionals and collaborating with diverse organizational departments.

• Ability to engage with communities and clients in a compassionate and culturally

competent manner, ensuring a trauma-informed approach to legal services.

• Strong oral and written advocacy skills, including the ability to communicate

complex legal concepts to a broad audience.

• A deep commitment to social justice and the protection of human rights,

particularly for immigrant and migrant communities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in nonprofit organizations or with advocacy groups focused

on immigration and migrant rights.

• Fluency in Spanish (or other languages relevant to the migrant community) is

highly preferred.

• Experience in cross-border legal matters or collaborating with international

organizations focused on immigration and refugee law.

• Familiarity with managing legal budgets and coordinating grant-funded litigation

projects.

This is a full-time, exempt position with an annual salary range of $150,000-$175,000

DOE. The Litigation Director will be based out of Al Otro Lado’s office in San Diego.

This is a hybrid position, allowing for mostly remote work with some in person duties as

needed.

Al Otro Lado’s comprehensive benefit package includes:

• Health benefits: Al Otro Lado contributes up to 90% of employee medical & up

to 70% of employee dental and vision premiums. Insurance coverage is effective

on the 1st of the month following the employee's date of hire.

• Employer Sponsored Insurances: Employer sponsored Group Long Term

Disability, Short Term Disability and Life/ AD&D coverage.

• Optional Coverages: Accident, Critical Illness and Hospital Insurance
• Paid Time Off: Up to three weeks of accrued paid time off per year.
• Paid Holidays: Paid holidays observed plus winter break.
• Paid Parental Leave: Supplemental wage integration following the birth of an

employee’s child or the placement of a child with an employee in connection

with adoption or foster care.

• Earned Sick Leave: Eligible employees may accrue up to 80 hours of sick time

per year.

• 403(B): Retirement plan with investment opportunities to include Pre-tax or

ROTH options

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Employer sponsored plan offering free

mental health support, legal and financial services

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please submit a letter of interest, resume, writing samples and three professional

references to jobs@alotrolado.org, with Litigation Director in the subject line. Only

applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please. Al Otro

Lado values diversity in the workplace and strongly encourages applications from the

communities we serve, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, individuals with disabilities,

and members of underrepresented communities.

• Health benefits: Al Otro Lado contributes up to 90% of employee medical & up

to 70% of employee dental and vision premiums. Insurance coverage is effective

on the 1st of the month following the employee's date of hire.

• Employer Sponsored Insurances: Employer sponsored Group Long Term

Disability, Short Term Disability and Life/ AD&D coverage.

• Optional Coverages: Accident, Critical Illness and Hospital Insurance
• Paid Time Off: Up to three weeks of accrued paid time off per year.
• Paid Holidays: Paid holidays observed plus winter break.
• Paid Parental Leave: Supplemental wage integration following the birth of an

employee’s child or the placement of a child with an employee in connection

with adoption or foster care.

• Earned Sick Leave: Eligible employees may accrue up to 80 hours of sick time

per year.

• 403(B): Retirement plan with investment opportunities to include Pre-tax or

ROTH options

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Employer sponsored plan offering free

mental health support, legal and financial services