LEGAL PROGRAM ASSISTANT, PORTLAND

Based in Portland, Maine, with a satellite office in Lewiston, the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP) is Maine’s only state-wide immigration legal aid organization. ILAP’s mission is to help low-income immigrants improve their legal status and to work for more just and humane laws and policies affecting immigrants. ILAP’s work includes direct legal services for over 3,000 clients each year; education and outreach to immigrant communities and service providers; and systemic advocacy on local, state, and federal immigration law issues.

ILAP is committed to having a respectful, collaborative, and equitable work environment, with equal opportunity for all employees. We strongly encourage applications from people of color, immigrants, and other underrepresented and historically marginalized groups. We believe in building an organization that is reflective of the communities that we serve and is diverse in work background, experience, education, race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, national origin, or sensory, mental, and physical abilities. We believe that having a diverse and equitable organization strengthens our programming and services and advances our organizational values.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Senior Managing Attorney, Detention Project is responsible for programmatic, strategic, and operational leadership for ILAP’s Detention Project. The role supervises Detention Project staff and fellows and leads a growing area of work focused on expanding access to immigration legal services for Maine residents detained by U.S. immigration officials and residents of other states being detained in Maine.

The role serves as ILAP’s lead attorney for habeas corpus litigation responsible for litigating habeas petitions directly and as co-counsel. The role also manages ILAP’s work with external attorneys handling low bono and pro bono habeas petitions for clients referred by ILAP.

Additionally, the Senior Managing Attorney, Detention Project serves as a key connector across ILAP’s legal work, ensuring that detention-related services are aligned and integrated with the organization’s broader immigration practice. In a project that is still evolving, the Senior Detention Attorney will play a central role in defining priorities, strengthening coordination, and building sustainable systems that support both clients and staff.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategy & Program Development

In consultation with the Co-Legal Director and Detention Project staff, develop and implement a strategic vision for the Detention Project.

Team Leadership & Program Management

Supervise Detention Project staff and fellows, including the Detention Project Staff Attorney and Senior Detention Paralegal.
Oversee day-to-day project operations and establish systems to monitor case outcomes, ensure timely case handling, and support continuous improvement.

Litigation & Legal Expertise

Serve as the organization’s subject matter expert on habeas litigation, advising ILAP attorneys on case strategy and developments in law and policy.
Prepare and litigate habeas petitions in federal court.
Serve as co-counsel on habeas petitions and other complex detention-related matters.

Partnerships & External Coordination

Maintain ILAP’s network of private attorneys who accept low bono and pro bono habeas cases referred by ILAP.
Oversee handling of externally referred cases, including case placement, case tracking, and invoice review processes.
Represent ILAP in meetings related to the work of the Detention Project.
Develop and maintain relationships with attorneys and other service providers working with detained individuals at the state, regional, and national levels.

Organizational Alignment & Collaboration

Ensure coordination and alignment between the Detention Project and other ILAP practice areas.
Promote consistency in services across detained and non-detained work.
Participate in ILAP team meetings and collaborate with ILAP attorneys and legal staff.

Other Duties

Perform other tasks and assume other responsibilities as assigned by the Co-Legal Director or Executive Director.
Identify opportunities to strengthen and expand services for detained individuals and develop initiatives to respond to emerging needs.

QUALIFICATIONS

J.D. required and admission to the bar in at least one U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants not currently admitted in Maine must be eligible for admission and willing to pursue admission in a timely manner.
A minimum of five years of experience with immigration matters. Prior experience representing detained immigrants on immigration matters, including removal defense and habeas corpus petitions is required.
Exceptional legal research and writing skills, with a high level of attention to detail and the ability to produce complex, legal work product.
Strong judgment rooted in a combination of integrity, deep respect for our clients, and analytical and emotional intelligence.
Experience working collaboratively with teammates, clients, and a network of stakeholders.
Experience translating strategy and ideas into day-to-day team management. Manages people and teams to outcomes, offers and listens to feedback effectively, inspires learning and growth, and creates an inclusive work environment.
Demonstrated ability to effectively prioritize and manage a high-volume workload with competing and time-sensitive demands.
Maintains balance and presence under pressure, reflecting on the bigger picture while making decisions needed to keep the work moving forward.
Demonstrated passion for advancing immigrants’ rights and serving detained clients, as well as an ability to work well with individuals from different cultures and with varying levels of English proficiency.
Fluency in a relevant language, including Spanish, French, or Portuguese, is strongly preferred.
Personal and professional commitment to racial justice and equity.
Strong computer skills including proficiency with Office 365.

COMPENSATION

For 2026, ILAP’s base salary for this position ranges from $78,507 - $89,116. Placement on our salary scale is based on multiple factors including job classification and years of relevant experience. Employees may also receive additional compensation based on language proficiency in one or more relevant client languages, supervision responsibilities, and membership on ILAP's Equity Committee.

ILAP offers a generous benefits package. Current benefits include:

Fully paid individual health and dental insurance coverage and significant coverage for dependents’ health insurance;
Vacation (20 days), Holidays (13.5), Sick Days (12), and Personal Days (4);
Reduced Hours Fridays;
Paid parental leave and a paid family and medical leave policy;
Paid sabbatical after each 5 years of employment;
Employer Retirement Contributions;
Health Savings Plan;
Law School Repayment Assistance;
Employer-paid premium for long term disability and life insurance;
Individual and staff-wide professional development opportunities; and
Alternative Work Arrangement (eligible after 90-day onboarding)

TO APPLY

Send a cover letter and resume by e-mail to hr@ilapmaine.orgwith the subject line “Senior Managing Attorney, Detention Project.” Review of applications will begin on June 1, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $78,500.00 - $89,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Relocation assistance

Work Location: In person

Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project

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Senior Managing Attorney, Detention Project