LEGAL DIRECTOR
Position Description
Department: Legal Services
FLSA Status: Exempt
Reports To: Executive Director
Supervises: Manager, Advocacy & Legal Services; Legal Staff; Interns; Volunteers
Salary Range: $90,000 – $110,000
Location: Rochester, New York, with regional travel required
Revision Date: July 2026
To Apply: Complete our application online at .
POSITION SUMMARY
As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, the Legal Director provides strategic oversight for Enlace’s legal services, advocacy, and initiatives aimed at eradicating labor trafficking and supporting immigrant populations. This senior leadership role balances high-level legal strategy with the operational management of the legal department. The Director fosters a trauma-informed, client-centered environment while ensuring legal and ethical compliance, professional growth for staff, and the development of innovative programs that advance justice, dignity, and equity for migrant and farmworker communities.
MISSION STATEMENT
To promote justice, dignity and equity for migrants and farmworkers through advocacy, education, outreach and direct services. We empower our communities to achieve self-sufficiency by fostering collaboration among partners.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Leadership & Legal Advocacy
- Provide vision and high-level leadership for legal strategies, anti-trafficking efforts, and immigration legal relief programs and initiatives.
- Provide direct representation to clients before the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and other governmental agencies as appropriate
- Conduct high-level legal research and analysis to support systemic advocacy efforts and policy recommendations as needed
- Develop innovative methods to maximize agency resources, influence policy, and effectively address the agency’s mission and grant requirements
- Represent Enlace as a legal expert in national, state, and local councils, boards, and policy committees
- Assist the Executive Director, as appropriate, with reviewing contracts, agreements, and other organizational documents and identifying potential legal concerns.
Staff Leadership & Supervision
- Provide direct supervision, coaching, and performance management for the Manager, Advocacy & Legal Services and other legal team members
- Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and mission-driven team culture centered on trauma-informed practice
- Establish performance expectations, professional development plans, and accountability measures for the legal department
- Collaborate with the Executive Director on recruiting, hiring, and onboarding legal personnel
- Serve as the primary legal resource and mentor for pro bono attorney volunteers, providing training, technical assistance, and expert backup
Operations & Grant Management
- Set program benchmarks, develop reporting standards, and ensure ongoing grant compliance and data integrity
- Support grant writing, fund development activities, and long-term program sustainability
- Oversee legal service workflows to ensure efficiency, ethical practice, and high-quality outcomes
- Identify opportunities to enhance agency policies and procedures to better serve vulnerable populations
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Director to support the evolving needs of the legal department and the broader agency mission
Community Engagement & Partnership
- Cultivate relationships with government agencies, NGOs, law enforcement, and legal stakeholders to advance anti-trafficking and immigrant protection initiatives
- Organize and lead advanced training sessions on labor trafficking and immigration law for staff, community partners, and law enforcement
- Coordinate with the Communications team to develop content (newsletters, media, reports) that highlights the impact of the agency’s legal work
- Actively recruit and coordinate with Coalition agencies, pro bono attorneys, and law students
- Provide Coalition members with quarterly updates and guidance on legal, policy, and regulatory changes affecting farmworkers and migrant communities.
- Conduct outreach to expand the network of pro bono attorneys, law students, and non-attorney volunteers
ENLACE CORE COMPETENCIES
- Mission Alignment & Advocacy: Advances the agency’s mission through effective leadership and community impact
- Trauma-Informed Service: Prioritizes dignity, safety, and healing in all client interactions and service models
- Cultural Responsiveness: Promotes accessibility, equity, and respect for diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds
- Collaboration & Partnership Building: Strengthens external relationships that increase community impact
- Accountability & Professionalism: Models ethical leadership, integrity, and stewardship
LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES
- Strategic Thinking: Develops long-term strategies that align organizational resources with the agency’s mission
- People Leadership: Builds high-performing teams through mentorship, accountability, and professional growth
- Operational Excellence: Creates systems that promote consistency, ethics, and measurable legal outcomes
- Change Leadership: Successfully guides teams through organizational growth and innovation
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Education: Juris Doctor (JD) or LLM degree
- Licensure: Admission to practice law (active status)
- Experience: Minimum five years of experience in immigration law and/or providing legal services to human trafficking survivors
- Management: Demonstrated experience in a supervisory or management role within a non-profit or legal services environment
- Bilingual: Proficiency in English and Spanish preferred
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
- Strong strategic planning and program development expertise
- Deep knowledge of immigrant-serving systems, labor trafficking law, and advocacy strategies
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to represent the organization publicly
- Proficiency with legal research software (e.g., Lexis, Westlaw)
- Proficiency with case management software (e.g., Cerenade, Salesforce) and Google Workspace
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and competing demands in a fast-paced environment
WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Work is performed in a hybrid environment (office, remote, community/outreach, court, and partner settings)
- Ability to travel locally and regionally within New York State as required
- Ability to sit, stand, walk, and operate standard office technology; reasonable accommodations made for disabilities
BENEFITS & WELL-BEING
Enlace offers a comprehensive benefits and leave package designed to support team members, including health, dental, vision, 401K, professional development, and a flexible work environment.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT
- Enlace Services, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace where all individuals have an equal opportunity to succeed. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion (creed), national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process or participate in the hiring process, please contact us at [email protected]
Pay: $90,000.00 - $110,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
