Senior Director, Practice Innovation – Professionalism

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Establish and advance a comprehensive strategy for the future of immigration law practice, integrating innovation, technology, and professionalism with AILA's strategic goals.

• Identify and analyze emerging trends such as AI, legal technology, and government digitization, and convert them into actionable organizational initiatives across products, services, and member engagement.

• Facilitate cross-functional execution through influence and collaboration, partnering with Technology, Marketing, Education, and other teams to provide integrated, scalable solutions.

• Act as AILA's representative voice on the future of legal practice, showcasing the organization at conferences and industry forums while enhancing its thought leadership in innovation and ethics.

• Create and disseminate original articles, special reports, newsletters, and practice resources, including the AILA Ethics Compendium, Practice Pulse, and Futures Report.

• Design and conduct legal education programs on ethics, practice management, AI, well-being, and career development for national and chapter conferences.

• Manage both internal and external contributors; align content with organizational priorities; cultivate faculty and speaker pipelines.

• Spearhead the Center's innovation agenda, including the assessment of legal technology tools, AI applications in immigration practice, and new models for legal service delivery.

• Oversee the Innovation & Technology Committee and direct the AILA Futures initiative, converting long-term research into practical guidance for members.

• Track developments in AI regulation, data privacy, cybersecurity, and government digitization that pertain to immigration practitioners.

• Offer expert advice to members regarding legal ethics, law firm management, technology integration, and career development in immigration practice.

• Engage proactively with AILA leaders, chapters, sections, and members to identify challenges and ensure that member needs shape Center priorities.

• Lead and mentor a team of 2–4 direct reports, establishing clear expectations, providing coaching, and aligning team efforts with the organization's goals.

• Develop and oversee the annual budget for the Center, ensuring effective allocation of resources and reporting on key performance metrics.

⛳️ Requirements

• J.D. and active bar admission in any U.S. jurisdiction.

• Over 10 years of experience in law office management, legal ethics, and professionalism.

• Proven ability to establish strategy, convert emerging trends into actionable initiatives, and create organizational impact.

• Demonstrated capacity to lead and develop high-performing teams, along with influencing cross-functional stakeholders within complex organizations.

• Outstanding writing, public speaking, and presentation abilities, with the capability to represent an organization effectively in external settings.

• Strong interpersonal and networking skills; adept at building coalitions and partnerships within the legal community.

• In-depth knowledge of immigration law and law practice management is strongly preferred.

• At least 5 years of experience leading innovation, legal technology, or future-of-practice initiatives within a law firm, bar association, legal services organization, or legal technology company is strongly preferred.

🏝️ Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• Employee assistance program

• 401(k) retirement savings plan with matching contributions after 3 months of employment

• Generous paid time off

• Paid parental leave

• Professional development opportunities

• Employer-paid life insurance and disability benefits