Application Guide

How to Apply for Director, Litigation

at National Immigration Law Center

🏢 About National Immigration Law Center

The National Immigration Law Center (NILC) is a pioneering nonprofit exclusively dedicated to defending and advancing the rights of low-income immigrants and their families. With a strong commitment to racial, economic, and gender justice, NILC offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of advocacy and litigation, driving systemic change for marginalized communities.

About This Role

As Director of Litigation, you will lead NILC’s litigation strategy, managing high-impact cases that protect immigrant rights nationwide. This role combines hands-on civil litigation with team leadership, allowing you to shape legal precedent while mentoring a dedicated legal team.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with a team check-in on active cases, followed by reviewing pleadings or court orders. You could spend the afternoon strategizing with co-counsel on a new challenge to a harmful policy, then draft a press statement or prepare for a media interview. The role balances high-level case management with hands-on legal work, all while mentoring junior attorneys.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who National Immigration Law Center Is Looking For

  • Experienced civil litigator with at least 8-10 years of practice, including substantial federal court and appellate experience, ideally in immigration or civil rights law.
  • Proven track record of leading complex, impact litigation teams and managing multiple cases simultaneously with a focus on strategic outcomes.
  • Deep commitment to racial, economic, and gender justice, with a demonstrated ability to integrate equity principles into legal strategy and team management.
  • Excellent written and oral advocacy skills, with experience in media engagement and coalition-building to amplify litigation impact.

📝 Tips for Applying to National Immigration Law Center

1

Tailor your resume to highlight federal litigation experience, especially cases involving immigrant rights, civil rights, or class actions, using specific case names and outcomes.

2

In your cover letter, explicitly connect your personal or professional commitment to NILC’s mission of racial and economic justice, not just immigration advocacy.

3

Provide writing samples that showcase your ability to craft persuasive legal arguments in complex federal litigation, preferably involving constitutional or statutory claims.

4

Research NILC’s recent litigation docket and mention specific cases or strategies you admire, showing you understand their current priorities.

5

Prepare a concise statement on how you would integrate racial justice and equity principles into litigation strategy, as this is central to NILC’s values.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your passion for defending low-income immigrant communities and alignment with NILC’s intersectional approach to justice.', 'Specific examples of leading impact litigation, including your role in case strategy, team management, and achieving tangible outcomes.', 'How you have mentored and developed litigation teams, particularly in a nonprofit or public interest setting.', 'Your understanding of NILC’s role in the broader immigrant rights movement and how you would leverage litigation to complement advocacy and policy work.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review NILC’s current litigation page and recent press releases to understand their active cases and legal priorities.
  • → Read NILC’s annual reports and strategic plans to grasp their long-term goals and how litigation fits into their broader advocacy.
  • → Familiarize yourself with NILC’s values statement and recent DEI initiatives to align your interview responses with their organizational culture.
  • → Look up NILC’s leadership team and board members to understand the organization’s governance and key stakeholders.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a complex federal litigation you led from inception to resolution. What were the key strategic decisions and outcomes?
2 How do you ensure racial and economic justice principles are embedded in litigation strategy, from case selection to settlement negotiations?
3 Tell us about a time you managed a team through a high-stakes case. How did you handle differing opinions or burnout?
4 How would you prioritize NILC’s litigation docket given limited resources and urgent threats to immigrant rights?
5 What is your experience with media and public communications in litigation, and how would you use it to advance NILC’s mission?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don’t submit a generic cover letter that fails to mention NILC by name or their specific mission focus on low-income immigrants.
  • Avoid emphasizing only litigation experience without demonstrating a commitment to racial and economic justice—this is a core value.
  • Don’t overlook the remote work aspect; show that you can lead a distributed team effectively, with examples of remote collaboration.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to National Immigration Law Center!

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