Immigration Legal Services Manager, Pro Bono Project & Strategic Partnerships

If you are passionate about transforming communities with a mission-driven organization, then we have the opportunity for you!

Reporting to the Director for Legal Affairs, the Immigration Legal Services Manager, Pro Bono Project & Strategic Partnerships will lead the development and implementation of a sustainable pro bono strategy that expands Global Refuge's capacity to provide high-quality immigration legal services to low-income refugees, immigrants, and individuals seeking protection in the United States. The Manager will oversee the systems, partnerships, staffing, volunteer engagement, and performance measures necessary to ensure that pro bono resources are effectively aligned with client and program needs.

The Immigration Legal Services Manager, Pro Bono Project & Strategic Partnerships is a management-level position responsible for the strategy, development, and operations of Global Refuge's pro bono legal services function and its strategic partnerships with law firms, corporations, bar associations, law schools, community organizations, and other stakeholders.

The Manager will serve as a key member of the Immigration Legal Services leadership team and will work closely with the Director for Legal Affairs, Managing Attorneys, and other Global Refuge teams to identify opportunities for strategic growth, strengthen external partnerships, and integrate pro bono capacity into the broader legal services strategy.

The Manager will supervise pro bono program staff and delegate day-to-day coordination activities while maintaining responsibility for program strategy, quality, performance, partner relationships, and outcomes.

The position will also contribute to technical assistance, training, and professional development for pro bono attorneys and partners, with an emphasis on client-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive legal services.

This is a full-time, hybrid position based in Baltimore, MD, with regular work at Global Refuge offices, field offices, community partner locations, and external partner sites as needed.

 

Global Refuge, formerly known as Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS), is a nonprofit serving newcomers seeking safety, support, and a share in the American dream. Since 1939, we have welcomed those seeking refuge, upholding a legacy of compassion and grace for people in crisis. We walk alongside individuals, families, and children as they begin their new lives in the United States through our work in refugee resettlement, care for unaccompanied children, and economic empowerment and employment. Our work also extends to Guatemala and Mexico, where we help young people with skills training and community reintegration. To date, we have served over 800,000 people from around the globe. Our comprehensive services leverage our extensive organizational expertise as well as government, community, and faith partnerships.

Attracting and retaining the best talent is vital to our continued growth and we are proud to offer an excellent benefits package including:

• medical, dental, vision available the first day of employment
• generous paid time off including 20 days of vacation, 12 days of sick leave, 12 paid holidays
• 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave and up to 12 weeks of fully paid FMLA leave
• company 403(b) contribution of 3%, an additional 7% match which vests immediately

At Global Refuge, welcoming newcomers isn't just our duty-it's an inherent part of our identity, rooted in our Lutheran heritage and inspired values and serving as a testament to our unwavering commitment to those in search of refuge. Please join us as we make a difference in the lives of newcomers.

 

Responsibilities/Duties

Program Leadership & Strategy

• Lead the overall strategy, development, and continuous improvement of Global Refuge's pro bono legal services program in alignment with the organization's legal services priorities and strategic goals.
• Develop and implement annual and multi-year goals for pro bono capacity, volunteer engagement, case placement, strategic partnerships, client outcomes, and program growth.
• Establish systems, policies, workflows, and performance measures that support a high-quality, sustainable, and scalable pro bono function.
• Identify opportunities to expand pro bono capacity into emerging areas of legal need and strategically align volunteer resources with client and program priorities.
• Monitor program performance, identify trends and operational challenges, and recommend adjustments to strengthen program effectiveness and sustainability.
• Collaborate with the Director for Legal Affairs and Managing Attorneys to integrate pro bono services into broader GR ILS program planning, service delivery, and growth strategies.

Strategic Partnerships & External Engagement

• Lead the development and stewardship of strategic partnerships that expand Global Refuge's legal services capacity and advance the organization's mission.
• Develop and maintain senior-level relationships with law firms, corporate legal departments, bar associations, law schools, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, and other strategic partners.
• Develop partnership strategies that move beyond individual case referrals to create sustained institutional engagement, including firm-wide pro bono commitments, volunteer pipelines, training partnerships, and other capacity-building opportunities.
• Represent Global Refuge in professional networks, coalitions, conferences, and partner meetings and serve as a key organizational ambassador for the Immigration Legal Services program.
• Assess prospective partnerships and make recommendations regarding opportunities that align with Global Refuge's legal services priorities, organizational capacity, and client needs.
• Steward existing relationships through regular communication, performance monitoring, recognition, and opportunities for deeper engagement.
• Collaborate with Global Refuge's development, mobilization, communications, and program teams to maximize the impact of strategic partnerships.

Pro Bono Program Management

• Oversee the recruitment, onboarding, engagement, retention, and deployment of pro bono attorneys and other volunteers through a coordinated and strategic volunteer-management system.
• Supervise Pro Bono Coordination staff and delegate day-to-day volunteer and case coordination activities while maintaining accountability for program performance and service quality.
• Establish and monitor systems for identifying, screening, assigning, and tracking cases referred to pro bono attorneys.
• Ensure that cases are appropriately matched with volunteer capacity, expertise, client needs, and legal deadlines.
• Oversee systems for monitoring case status, deadlines, outcomes, and volunteer engagement.
• Ensure that databases and program records accurately capture volunteer activity, case placement, client outcomes, and other program metrics.
• Develop strategies to strengthen volunteer retention and create meaningful pathways for attorneys to deepen their engagement with Global Refuge.
• Oversee regular communications and engagement strategies for the pro bono attorney network, including newsletters, targeted outreach, training opportunities, and recognition.

Legal Training, Quality & Technical Assistance

• Work with the Director for Legal Affairs and Managing/Supervising Attorneys to develop and oversee substantive legal training and professional-development opportunities for pro bono attorneys.
• Ensure that pro bono attorneys have access to appropriate legal resources, practice guidance, templates, and technical assistance.
• Promote consistent standards for client-centered, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and ethical legal services across the pro bono program.
• Identify training needs and develop or coordinate resources to address emerging legal issues and practice needs.
• Support quality-assurance systems for pro bono services in collaboration with the legal services leadership team.

Grant Management, Data & Program Accountability

• Support the development and implementation of grant-funded pro bono initiatives and ensure that program activities align with grant requirements and organizational priorities.
• Establish systems for tracking program outputs, outcomes, volunteer engagement, case placement, and other grant-related metrics.
• Monitor performance against program goals and provide regular analysis and recommendations to the Director for Legal Affairs.
• Prepare program data, narratives, and other information needed for grant reports, proposals, organizational reporting, and strategic planning.
• Maintain systems that support accurate and timely documentation of pro bono program activities and outcomes.
• Use data and partner feedback to assess program effectiveness and inform future program development.

Community Engagement & Organizational Representation

• Support community outreach, education, legal information sessions, and other activities that strengthen awareness of Global Refuge's legal services and pro bono opportunities.
• Represent Global Refuge at community, professional, coalition, and partner meetings.
• Develop relationships with organizations serving immigrant and refugee communities to better understand unmet legal needs and identify opportunities for pro bono engagement.
• Collaborate across Global Refuge teams to connect community needs with available pro bono resources and strategic partnerships.

Management & Leadership Expectations

The Manager is expected to function as the organizational owner of the pro bono and strategic partnerships function, rather than as the primary day-to-day coordinator of individual volunteers or cases. The position will establish strategy, build systems, manage relationships, supervise staff, monitor performance, and ensure that the function effectively advances GR ILS's broader mission.

Success in this role will be measured not only by the number of pro bono attorneys recruited or cases placed, but by the Manager's ability to build a sustainable, high-performing pro bono infrastructure and strategic partner network that materially expands Global Refuge's capacity to serve clients.

 

Qualifications

• Law degree from a U.S. accredited law school, required
• At least 5 years of experience representing immigrants before DHS, Immigration Courts and BIA strongly preferred
• Experience managing pro bono attorneys, volunteers, and relationships with law firm pro bono programs
• Strong substantive understanding of U.S. immigration law and legal practice
• Experience working with survivors of trauma and immigrants
• Excellent legal analysis, written and oral advocacy and presentation skills
• Responsible, self-initiating, and focused, with proven ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team-based decision-making environment
• Experience designing trainings and presenting to legal and non-legal audiences
• Meticulous organizational habits with an ability to manage caseloads, establish priorities, and meet deadlines
• Strong interpersonal skills and record of cultural competence and cross-cultural communication skills; experience working with clients, staff and interns of diverse backgrounds
• Demonstrated fluency in any language of the populations we serve such as, Spanish, Dari/Pashto, Arabic, Haitian Creole, is highly preferred
• Understanding of the law firm and pro bono culture a plus.
• Excellent MS Office Suite skills, particularly in Word and Excel, required.
• Proficiency in Salesforce CRM or similar database.
• Flexibility to adapt to program changes and client needs.
• Experience with and commitment to working in a fast-paced and diverse work environment.
• Deep commitment to Global Refuge's core values and ability to model those values in relationships with colleagues and partners.

 

Global Refuge is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. We participate in E-Verify in the states that permit its use.

We offer a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package in an innovative and rewarding work environment. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage effective on your first day of employment, 403(b) with company contribution and match, 20 days of vacation per year, tuition reimbursement, professional development, and much more. Salaries are based on the latest market data and reflect the education, skills, and requirements for the role. Differentials may exist based on the region and language abilities.