Managing Attorney, Children's Program

Amica Center for Immigrant Rights•Washington, DC

10h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Managing Attorney works collaboratively with staff and leadership in Amica Center for Immigrant Rights’ Children’s Program to ensure high-quality legal services for unaccompanied immigrant children while detained and after release, provide direct representation, supervise and train staff attorneys and paralegals, support contractual and grant compliance, and implement long-term program plans. The program provides legal orientation and screening to detained migrant children in the Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia region, as well as free legal services to children released from Office of Refugee Resettlement custody in the greater Capital Region. The role manages a caseload of full legal representation in removal proceedings before local immigration courts, USCIS, and state courts. Cases include asylum, withholding of removal, Convention Against Torture protection, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, U-visas, and T-visas. The Managing Attorney mentors pro bono attorneys and supervises attorneys on case strategy, trial preparation, and caseload management. The role also supports legal training and developments, follows up with potential clients after intake, assesses legal relief, and supports case placement. Program and organizational work includes setting long-term goals with leadership, supporting weekly visits to local government detention centers, helping ensure children receive Know Your Rights presentations and intake, sharing information and strategy across programs, maintaining accurate case database entries, and engaging with community groups, government agencies, detention center staff, and other legal service providers. The Managing Attorney also participates in internal committees and leadership work. The role requires travel for hearings, jail visits, and program meetings, and is based at the Washington, D.C. or Baltimore, Maryland office. Amica Center has a hybrid work environment; staff work in the office at least one day per week, with additional in-person attendance or travel required for some roles.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (JD).
At least three years of relevant experience in immigration law.
Management and supervision experience.
Written and oral fluency in Spanish.
Licensed to practice law in Maryland or Virginia, eligible to waive into either bar, or willing to sit for the next scheduled bar exam.
Valid driver’s license and comfort operating a vehicle upon hiring.
Ability to work in a hybrid environment and fulfill responsibilities in person as required.
Favorable results on background checks, including driving record, Child Protective Registry, and state and federal criminal records.
Commitment to principles of equity and inclusion.
Ability to provide high-quality, innovative, client-centered, and culturally competent legal representation and supervise legal strategy, research, writing, and client relationships.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with child clients.

Responsibilities

Manage a caseload providing full legal representation to clients in removal proceedings before local immigration courts, USCIS, and state courts, including asylum, withholding of removal, Convention Against Torture protection, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, U-visas, and T-visas.
Mentor pro bono attorneys from area law firms handling children’s cases.
Supervise and train attorneys on full-representation and pro bono cases, including case strategy, trial preparation, and caseload management.
Manage potential-client follow-up after intake, including sponsor intake, assessment of legal relief, and case placement with in-house or pro bono attorneys.
Keep abreast of legal developments and support training staff on the law.
Work with program leadership to set long-term program goals and ensure contractual compliance.
Support smooth operations of weekly visits to local government detention centers, including ensuring children receive a Know Your Rights presentation and intake.
Assist other program staff with workload during high-work or low-bandwidth periods.
Coordinate with other Amica Center programs to share information and strategy.
Oversee timely and accurate entry of case information into shared databases.
Participate in stakeholder relationship activities with community groups, government agencies, detention center staff, and other legal service providers.
Participate in internal committees and working groups, including as a member of an organizational leadership team.
Supervise direct reports and paralegals, supporting their professional growth and ensuring effective caseload and job-duty management.
Complete administrative work, including timekeeping, file upkeep, and database entries.
Travel for work-related business, including hearings, jail visits, and programmatic meetings.