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 U.S. advocacy organization exclusively focused on defending low-income immigrants' rights through a holistic approach combining litigation, policy, and movement building. Working here means joining a mission-driven team grounded in the belief that all people in the U.S. deserve equal access to justice regardless of immigration status or economic standing.

About This Role

As Director, Litigation, you'll lead NILC's strategic impact litigation to protect immigrant communities, overseeing complex federal and state court cases while integrating legal advocacy with narrative change and movement building. This role directly advances NILC's mission through client-driven litigation that combines legal strategy with policy advocacy and community engagement.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day involves strategizing with legal teams on active federal cases, collaborating with policy and communications colleagues on integrated advocacy approaches, mentoring attorneys on complex litigation, and developing new impact litigation opportunities grounded in community needs. You'll balance hands-on case oversight with broader strategic planning to advance immigrant rights through the courts.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who National Immigration Law Center Is Looking For

  • A seasoned litigator with 10+ years of federal and appellate court experience, preferably from nonprofit/social justice or relevant law firm backgrounds
  • Proven leader with 4+ years managing legal teams, developing complex cases, and mentoring attorneys in impact litigation
  • Demonstrated commitment to immigrant justice and experience working with low-income communities in legal advocacy
  • Strategic thinker who can integrate litigation with policy advocacy, communications, and movement building approaches

📝 Tips for Applying to National Immigration Law Center

1

Highlight specific federal court and appellate cases you've led that protected immigrant or low-income community rights

2

Demonstrate how your litigation experience integrates with policy advocacy and movement building, not just legal technical skills

3

Showcase leadership examples where you developed client-driven, community-grounded litigation strategies

4

Reference NILC's current litigation priorities or recent cases to show you've researched their specific work

5

Emphasize experience supervising legal teams in complex civil cases, not just individual litigation achievements

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your philosophy on integrating impact litigation with policy advocacy and movement building for immigrant justice', 'Specific examples of leading litigation teams in federal courts that advanced social justice goals', "How your approach to client-driven, community-grounded litigation aligns with NILC's mission", 'Experience developing strategic litigation that creates narrative change beyond individual case outcomes']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → NILC's current litigation docket and recent high-profile cases (available on their website)
  • → The organization's strategic priorities and how litigation fits within their broader advocacy framework
  • → NILC's partnerships with immigrant communities and movement organizations
  • → Recent policy wins where litigation played a role in advancing immigrant rights
Visit National Immigration Law Center's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you develop litigation strategy that integrates with NILC's narrative change and campaign work?
2 Describe your approach to mentoring legal staff on complex civil cases in federal courts
3 How do you ensure litigation remains client-driven and community-grounded while pursuing impact goals?
4 What experience do you have collaborating across departments (policy, communications) in litigation strategy?
5 How would you prioritize litigation opportunities to maximize protection for low-income immigrant communities?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing only on technical litigation skills without showing commitment to immigrant justice or social justice values
  • Presenting litigation experience in isolation from policy advocacy, communications, or movement building
  • Emphasizing individual case wins over team leadership and mentoring experience

📅 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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