Description:
Position Summary:A Staff Attorney in the Detained Children's Program works collaboratively with staff and leadership to:
- provide high-quality, culturally competent direct legal services to detained and released unaccompanied immigrant children,
- coordinate and carry out visits to detention centers for the purpose of conducting legal intakes and Know Your Rights presentations to detained children,
- mentor pro bono attorneys providing legal services to unaccompanied immigrant children,
- contribute to the success of the program, building a culture of collaboration and learning, and
- promote a team culture of equity and inclusion.
Representation:
- Manage a caseload, with supervision, of direct legal representation of detained and released clients in removal proceedings before local state and immigration courts and USCIS in the following types of cases: Asylum, Withholding of Removal, Protection under the Convention against Torture, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, U-Visas, and T-Visas.
- Participate in client intake and follow-up to determine eligibility for legal relief, facilitation of case placement with in-house or pro bono attorneys, and social services referrals.
- Remain abreast of new developments in the law by actively participating in legal trainings, reviewing written resources, and conducting legal research.
- Supervise legal assistants and interns on aspects of their work.
- Mentor pro bono attorneys from area law firms handling immigration cases, as needed.
- Handle own administrative tasks for casework (e.g., preparation and submission of filings, file maintenance, and recordkeeping).
- Participate in regular facility visits for the purpose of conducting legal intakes and know your rights (KYR) presentations for detained children.
- Ensure the timely and accurate entry of case information into shared databases.
- Assist other program staff in completion of their workload during high-work/low- bandwidth periods.
- Participate in stakeholder relationship activities, including meetings with community groups, government agencies, and other legal service providers
- Engage with internal A Non-Profit Organization committees and working groups to participate in the growth and strategy of the organization.
Requirements:
Competencies Required:
Legal Proficiency
The Staff Attorney demonstrates a developing understanding of legal concepts at a level that allows them to provide client-centered services to clients with moderate supervision. The Staff Attorney clearly and skillfully employs the law in written and oral presentations with limited input from supervisors. The Staff Attorney is working towards self-sufficiency in hearings, interviews, and legal research and writing.
Client and Programmatic Proficiency
The Staff Attorney satisfactorily handles all required programmatic obligations (including KYRs, legal intakes, follow-up interviewing, case placement, and direct representation services) with limited supervision. The Staff Attorney manages their in-house and pro bono mentoring caseload to allow for appropriate prioritization and thoughtful use of time and resources. The Staff Attorney demonstrates a growing understanding of cultural competency and trauma-informed practices. The Staff Attorney demonstrates sound judgment and decision-making skills and identifies when issues must be elevated to a supervisor.
Administrative:
The Staff Attorney ensures that all administrative aspects of their position are carried out with minimal managerial support, including timekeeping, file maintenance, and database entries.
Qualifications Required:
Competencies Required:
Legal Proficiency
The Staff Attorney demonstrates a developing understanding of legal concepts at a level that allows them to provide client-centered services to clients with moderate supervision. The Staff Attorney clearly and skillfully employs the law in written and oral presentations with limited input from supervisors. The Staff Attorney is working towards self-sufficiency in hearings, interviews, and legal research and writing.
Client and Programmatic Proficiency
The Staff Attorney satisfactorily handles all required programmatic obligations (including KYRs, legal intakes, follow-up interviewing, case placement, and direct representation services) with limited supervision. The Staff Attorney manages their in-house and pro bono mentoring caseload to allow for appropriate prioritization and thoughtful use of time and resources. The Staff Attorney demonstrates a growing understanding of cultural competency and trauma-informed practices. The Staff Attorney demonstrates sound judgment and decision-making skills and identifies when issues must be elevated to a supervisor.
Administrative:
The Staff Attorney ensures that all administrative aspects of their position are carried out with minimal managerial support, including timekeeping, file maintenance, and database entries.
Qualifications Required:
- JD and 0-3 years relevant experience in immigration law (family law experience helpful but not required)
- Must be licensed to practice law in Maryland or Virginia, eligible to waive into the Maryland or Virginia bar, or willing to sit for the next scheduled bar exam
- Written and oral Spanish professional proficiency required; fluency preferred
- It is expected that the candidate will need to travel for work-related business. As a result, the candidate must possess a valid driver's license and be comfortable operating a vehicle upon hiring. This role requires travel, but qualified individuals with disabilities may be accommodated in a reasonable manner under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
- Favorable results on background check including driving record, Child Protection Registry, and state and federal criminal records
- Ability to work remotely temporarily but fulfill job responsibilities in-person as required.
