Repost- U.S. Litigation Deputy Director
International Refugee Assistance Project
New York, NY, USA
USD 130,396-140,211 / year
Posted on Dec 10, 2025
WHO WE ARE: IRAP
The International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) is a global legal aid and advocacy organization working to create a world where refugees and all people seeking safety are empowered to claim their right to freedom of movement and a path to lasting refuge. As the number of people forced to flee their homes because of the climate crisis, persecution, and conflict continues to break global records, the need for equitable, accessible pathways to safety remains urgent. With humility and ambition, IRAP is collaborating with clients, partnering with refugee-led and community-based organizations, providing direct legal services, sharing legal information, and advocating for systemic change.
With four global offices, IRAP is supported by leading and forward-thinking funders, including inspiring donors and numerous foundations, corporate, and individual funders. With strong programs and leadership, IRAP is poised to serve even more people around the world who are seeking a safe place to live and a safe way to get there.
IRAP brings cutting-edge litigation, provides essential legal services, and fights for policy change in the U.S. and abroad to protect the rights and dignity of displaced people, including refugees, asylum seekers, and others who need a safe home.
THE U.S. LITIGATION TEAM
Since the founding of IRAP’s U.S. Litigation Department in 2017, we have challenged the ban on refugee admissions in both the first and current Trump Administrations; litigated protections for Special Immigrant Visa applicants from Iraq and Afghanistan; fought for family reunification for asylees and refugees; won protections for Iranian religious minorities wrongly denied refugee status; and most recently, obtained a postponement of the termination of Temporary Protected Status for more than 6000 Syrians.
Our work involves Administrative Procedure Act challenges, class actions, mandamus cases, FOIA litigation, and constitutional questions. We aim to uplift the voices of our clients and to center impacted communities in every aspect of our litigation. Information about our current cases can be found at https://refugeerights.org/litigation/.
WHAT YOU’LL DO
As a key member of the Legal Leadership Team, the U.S. Litigation Deputy Director will help lead IRAP’s systemic change efforts through impact litigation. The Deputy Director will be responsible for developing and supervising litigation in a team of highly skilled, energetic, and committed immigrant rights litigators representing refugees and immigrants in some of the most important legal issues of our time.
The US Litigation Deputy Director will report to and work closely with the U.S. Litigation Senior Director, supervise Litigation attorneys and fellows, and maintain a caseload of litigation matters.
Responsibilities
- Litigation and Programmatic Work of the U.S. Litigation Department
- Support the US Litigation Senior Director in the oversight of the US Litigation department’s programmatic work to ensure that department strategies are effective and responsive to the needs of IRAP’s clients and in alignment with IRAP’s strategic plan.
- Maintain a caseload of litigation matters, including a leadership role in case development, strategy, and briefing.
- Organize retreats, team meetings, and similar events to promote team-building, coordination, and alignment with IRAP’s mission and programmatic priorities.
- Supervision and Departmental Professional Development
- Directly supervise Litigation attorneys, fellows, supervising attorneys, and/or non-attorney staff as appropriate. Help to ensure that mentoring and professional development opportunities are available to all team members.
- In coordination with the US Litigation Senior Director, lead and participate in hiring, ensuring annual reviews are completed for all team members, and responding to other staff needs.
- Support a positive daily work experience for the US Litigation department staff and create and maintain an equitable and inclusive work culture.
- Coordination and Fundraising
- Participate as needed in meetings and events related to fundraising and donor cultivation.
- Collaborate with communications, policy, and direct services departments to develop systemic change strategies.
- Coordinate with the operations department to ensure that Litigation staff have the resources and support needed to perform their duties.
- Other responsibilities as necessary and assigned by the Litigation Senior Director or organizational leadership.
WHO YOU ARE
- An Expert in various models of advocacy, including federal court litigation and its intersection with U.S. policy, media narratives, and community advocacy related to immigrant and refugee rights.
- A Creative Specialist in approaching litigation and its relationship to other advocacy strategies, with sound judgment regarding ethical issues that arise in the work.
- An Enthusiastic Champion of the civil rights or human rights field, with demonstrated success in strategic litigation. You bring at least 7 years of federal litigation experience, with knowledge of refugee and/or immigration law.
- A U.S.-based attorney licensed to practice law in the U.S. state from which the duties of this position will be performed.
- A Thoughtful Relationship Builder with a demonstrated record of working with community-based and NGO partners.
- An advocate for client empowerment who works effectively across teams and with people from diverse cultural backgrounds, including LGBTI clients, people with disabilities, and survivors of trauma.
- A compassionate manager who leverages individuals’ strengths and fosters collaboration, with experience managing and coaching direct/indirect reports of attorneys, fellows, and/or students in litigation matters. You create a positive team environment and rally others around a shared vision.
- A Strategist with demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a leadership team to set organizational and departmental priorities and pursue opportunities that further impact across departments.
- A DEI Advocate with a demonstrated record of successfully employing an anti-racist/anti-oppression lens to foster a diverse, equitable working environment and creating diverse teams that reflect communities served.
- A Skilled Project Manager, managing complex projects, multitasking, and prioritizing. You take pride in your work product and operate with a high attention to detail. You are proficient in utilizing technology and data management and have excellent time management skills.
- A Compelling Writer and Communicator. You are skilled in analyzing, communicating, and working in diverse work environments, with excellent oral and written English skills.
Job-related Requirements
- There is a strong preference for the position to be based in New York City, but Washington D.C.-based and remote work are also possible. If remote, the position must be located within a reasonable distance and fare to all federal district courts in which IRAP routinely litigates and available EST time zone working hours.
- This position requires travel as needed to locations in which IRAP files litigation, which may include New York, California, Maryland, and D.C, as well as to other IRAP offices for purposes of collaboration. If remote, frequent travel to the NY office is required.
- This position is full-time remote or optional in-office staff.
Benefits- U.S.
- Fully paid family health insurance.
- Retirement options.
- Extensive PTO (20 or more vacation days, 22 and more public/ org-wide holidays).
- Comprehensive leave time for sickness.
- Disability and parenting (more than six months of parental leave).
- Reimbursement for work-from-home equipment.
- Generous opportunities for professional development.
IRAP’s benefits vary across office locations, and IRAP seeks to offer equitable and generous benefits to all employees.
TO APPLY
If this position piques your interest, please apply with:
1) Your updated resume;
2) A thoughtful cover letter explaining why you are interested in IRAP and the U.S. Litigation Deputy Director role. Please address letters to Ghita Schwarz, U.S. Litigation Senior Director.
3) Writing Sample (a legal memo, brief, or motion) that reflects your own work;
4) Three references.
Applications will be collected and reviewed on a rolling basis.
IRAP is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, IRAP will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please refer to your request in the cover letter.
IRAP is an equal-opportunity employer; people of color and individuals from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. IRAP does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, citizenship status, ethnic background, religion, political orientation, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or any other protected class. We consider all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of all local, state, and federal laws related to the Fair Chance Act.
130396 - 140211 USD a year
IRAP strives for equity and transparency in its compensation practices.
Compensation is based on experience, education, and internal equity.
The salary will be between ($130,396 - $140,211).