Contract Attorney, Children's Program
About The Position
The Contract Attorney works collaboratively with staff and leadership in the Children’s Program to provide high-quality legal services to unaccompanied immigrant children while detained and after release to the local area. The role includes direct representation, client follow-up, and tracking time and case work to support contractual and grant compliance. The program emphasizes trauma-informed, client-focused services, collaboration, professional growth, mentorship, and work-life balance. The attorney handles or shares a caseload involving full legal representation in removal proceedings before local immigration courts, USCIS, and state courts. Matters may include asylum, withholding of removal, protection under the Convention against Torture, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, U-visas, and T-visas. The position also includes supporting other staff during periods of high workload, maintaining timely and accurate case information in shared databases, and supervising direct reports and paralegals on legal strategy, research, writing, and client relationships.
Requirements
- Juris Doctor (JD).
- At least three years of relevant experience in immigration law.
- Experience working with children’s clients.
- Written and oral fluency in Spanish.
- Valid driver’s license and comfort operating a vehicle upon hiring.
- Favorable background-check results, including driving record, Child Protective Registry, and state and federal criminal records.
- Commitment to principles of equity and inclusion.
- Ability to work in a hybrid environment and fulfill job responsibilities in person as required.
Responsibilities
- Provide direct legal services and full representation to unaccompanied immigrant children, including clients who are detained and those released to the local area.
- Handle or share a caseload involving removal proceedings before local immigration courts, USCIS, and state courts.
- Represent clients in matters involving asylum, withholding of removal, protection under the Convention against Torture, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, U-visas, and T-visas.
- Manage potential client follow-up after intake, including sponsor intake and assessment of legal relief.
- Track time and case work to ensure contractual and grant compliance.
- Assist program staff with workload during high-work and low-bandwidth periods.
- Ensure timely and accurate entry of case information into shared databases.
- Stay current on developments in immigration law and train supervisees on new legal developments.
- Supervise direct reports and paralegals on legal strategy, research, writing, and client relationships.
- Manage the program’s shelter, client, and in-office obligations and ensure funding obligations are met.
- Manage personal and supervisees’ caseloads and support junior staff’s professional growth.
- Complete administrative work, including timekeeping, file maintenance, and database entries.
- Travel for work-related business and operate a vehicle.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
