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 uniquely positioned as the leading advocacy organization for low-income immigrants and their families, combining litigation, policy advocacy, communications, and network-building to create systemic change. Working at NILC means joining a mission-driven team that has a proven track record of impactful victories, such as defending DACA and challenging discriminatory state laws. The remote-first culture offers flexibility while fostering a collaborative environment with passionate colleagues across the U.S.
About This Role
As Director of Litigation, you will lead NILC’s litigation strategy, serving as lead counsel in high-impact federal cases that set precedents for immigrant rights. This role is central to advancing NILC’s mission by integrating litigation with policy advocacy and communications to maximize impact. You will also mentor a team of attorneys and fellows, shaping the next generation of immigrant rights advocates.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start with a team check-in to discuss case updates and deadlines, followed by drafting a motion or appellate brief. Midday, you might meet with policy and communications colleagues to align on a media strategy for an upcoming ruling, then spend the afternoon mentoring a fellow on deposition preparation. The remote setup allows for focused work, with flexibility for virtual court appearances and coalition calls.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who National Immigration Law Center Is Looking For
- A seasoned litigator with 10+ years of experience in federal court and appellate practice, ideally with a focus on immigration, civil rights, or related areas like education, healthcare, or labor/employment law.
- A proven leader with 4+ years managing legal teams, including supervising attorneys, developing cases, and fostering professional growth.
- A strategic thinker who can design litigation campaigns that complement policy advocacy and communications, with a deep understanding of the intersection between law and social justice.
- A collaborative communicator who can represent NILC externally with media, funders, and coalition partners, and inspire internal teams through mentorship.
📝 Tips for Applying to National Immigration Law Center
Tailor your resume to highlight complex impact litigation experience, especially cases involving immigrant communities or low-income populations, and quantify outcomes where possible.
In your cover letter, explicitly connect your litigation strategy experience to NILC’s integrated advocacy model—show how you’ve worked alongside policy and communications teams.
Demonstrate your management philosophy by including a brief example of how you’ve mentored junior attorneys or built a cohesive team in a high-stakes environment.
Research NILC’s recent cases (e.g., challenges to public charge rule, DACA litigation) and reference them to show your alignment with their priorities.
Prepare a writing sample that showcases your ability to craft compelling legal arguments in a complex federal case, ideally involving civil rights or immigration.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your commitment to NILC’s mission of defending low-income immigrants and your understanding of the systemic barriers they face.', 'Your experience leading complex litigation from inception through appeal, with specific examples of favorable outcomes.', 'Your ability to integrate litigation with broader advocacy strategies, including policy change and media engagement.', 'Your leadership style and how you’ve successfully managed and mentored a diverse legal team.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review NILC’s current litigation docket on their website and understand the key cases and their status.
- → Read NILC’s annual reports and press releases to grasp their integrated advocacy model and recent wins.
- → Explore the backgrounds of current leadership, especially the Legal Director and other Directors, to understand their priorities and style.
- → Look into NILC’s partnerships with other immigrant rights organizations and coalitions to see how they collaborate.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn’t reference NILC’s specific mission or recent work—this signals lack of genuine interest.
- Focusing only on litigation experience without showing how you integrate with policy or communications—NILC values cross-departmental collaboration.
- Overlooking the remote nature of the role—failing to mention experience with remote team management or virtual collaboration tools may raise concerns.
📅 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:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to National Immigration Law Center!