Temporary Staff Attorney, Special Projects

Purpose of The Job:
The temporary staff attorney will collaborate with the Supervising Senior Staff Attorney to effectively administer Human Rights First's pro bono asylum legal representation work through Project: Afghan Legal Assistance (PALA).

The PALA Special Projects team within Human Rights First provides, with partner support, legal representation to Afghan refugee arrivals. We help connect individual asylum seekers with pro bono attorneys, providing limited scope and pro se assistance. The PALA team also provides direct legal assistance to Afghan immigrants.

The temporary staff attorney will assist in administering Human Rights First's pro bono legal representation work. They will mentor law firm attorneys providing representation in asylum cases in removal proceedings (detained and non-detained) and affirmative cases. In addition, they will provide direct legal assistance to Afghan clients with asylum (both affirmative and in removal proceedings), adjustment of status, and family reunification cases.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Case Selection, Placement and Management

• Conduct legal screenings and intake interviews with potential Afghan immigrant clients;
• Assist in identifying cases appropriate to either place with volunteer pro bono attorneys or Human Rights First staff;
• Ensure that whether Human Rights First provides in-depth mentoring on cases placed with volunteer pro bono teams or direct legal support, all clients and volunteers with whom we partner receive high-quality legal services and guidance;
• Provide pro bono attorneys with prompt and thorough legal and procedural support on our Afghan pro bono cases, including conducting trainings, strategizing on individual cases, reviewing draft submissions, and informing volunteers of significant legal developments in asylum, SIV, or other immigration laws impacting the Afghan population in the U.S.;
• Build and maintain strong relationships with law firms and volunteer attorneys and create training and advertising materials for pro bono counsel, as needed;
• Identify and conduct outreach to new pro bono partners through various traditional and technological platforms, and promote attorney interest in pro bono representation of Special Projects clients;
• Identify, analyze, and respond to legal or procedural changes that affect immigrants, including statutory changes, proposed regulations, and decisions of the Board of Immigration Appeals or federal courts;
• Contribute to and lead efforts to develop training materials for volunteer attorneys, including Human Rights First's online Resource Library, and other manuals, memoranda, videos, or other training media as needed; and
• Assist in conducting client outreach, supporting in-person and virtual client information sessions, and maintaining other forms of regular communication with Special Projects client population.

Mentorship

• Provide legal advice, mentorship, and guidance to Special Projects team staff, and work with the entire Refugee Representation team to ensure inter-office support and team collaboration;
• Assist in supervising law school and undergraduate interns;
• Manage the special projects pro bono list of attorneys and volunteers, support in placing cases with volunteer attorneys, and maintain a list of cases with continuing representation needs; and
• Assist with grant reporting and maintenance of relevant data.

Advocacy

• Co-lead efforts within the legal coalition of legal service providers serving Afghan nationals in the U.S. for advocacy and coordination, such as organizing coalition calls and attending various stakeholder meetings;
• Strategize and collaborate with other local service providers on how to best meet the needs of the immigrant population and improve access to legal representation;
• Assist in furthering local and national advocacy initiatives by meeting with officials at government agencies, and engaging in other advocacy efforts in collaboration with the Refugee Protection team;
• Promote Human Rights First's mission by participating in local community events, promotional events, immigration-related conferences or events, and other professional networking events that will increase the organization's profile in the community; and
• Other duties as requested based on the team and/or organization's need.

Required Knowledge, Skill And Experience:

• A U.S. law degree (J.D.) and admission to any state bar or the District of Columbia;
• At least two years of relevant experience, including direct representation of asylum seekers at all levels of the administrative process, with preference for immigration court experience;
• Experience representing Afghan OAW/OAR humanitarian parolees, Special Immigrant Visa applicants, and Afghan refugee populations;
• Experience working with volunteer lawyers and in mentoring other attorneys, especially on immigration law matters;
• Fluency in a second language, preferably Dari/Farsi or Pashto, is a plus;
• Ability to manage numerous tasks simultaneously, work under pressure and meet deadlines, and to identify and analyze legal issues;
• Substantial knowledge of U.S. immigration law and policy;
• Ability to communicate patiently, respectfully, and empathetically with individuals from a variety of backgrounds as well as survivors of trauma or torture;
• Strong interpersonal and written/oral communication skills;
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively, particularly in a collegial, team-based approach to work;
• Adaptability to embrace and navigate new, dynamic projects, and an ability to recognize and maximize opportunities on behalf of the organization;
• Demonstrated ability to work successfully across organization lines, to work comfortably in a variety of settings, including legal, academic, and advocacy, and to work confidently with government officials and the media;
• Ability to travel regionally by car or public transportation when possible and ability to travel to other office areas or locations where Human Rights First serves clients, when necessary (travel costs reimbursed); and
• Good judgment and proven ability to provide leadership and support to fellow team members.

Human Rights First is committed to recruiting, retaining, and developing staff from a diversity of backgrounds, including members of racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, people of all socioeconomic backgrounds, people of all nationalities, and veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. We believe that a diverse staff and an inclusive work environment that welcomes a range of perspectives make us stronger and more effective.

The salary range for this position is $85,000-$90,000 /year (prorated) DOE.

Apply at the Human Rights First website, under CAREERS: https://www.humanrightsfirst.org/careers