ProBAR - Staff Attorney TX-CA

$72,236 - $85,320/Yr

American Bar Association - Harlingen, TX

Full-time - Entry Level

Hybrid - Harlingen, TX

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

The Staff Attorney for ProBAR's Children's Team is responsible for providing legal services to detained unaccompanied children in immigration removal proceedings. This role involves direct representation in immigration court, reviewing legal screenings, and connecting children with necessary services. The position requires a commitment to advocating for vulnerable populations and ensuring access to justice for children facing immigration challenges.

Responsibilities

• Provides legal services including direct representation to detained or locally released children in immigration removal proceedings.
• Reviews legal screenings conducted by non-attorney staff and assigns follow-up services.
• Regularly appears in immigration court to represent children in removal proceedings and acts as Friend of Court for other detained youth.
• Develops and maintains legal competency relating to immigration detention work, specifically for unaccompanied minors.
• Builds and maintains relationships with local stakeholders.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Requirements

• Possession of a Juris Doctorate or Master of Law (LLM) from an ABA-accredited law school and be in good standing.
• Licensed to practice law in a U.S. state or territory.
• Fluent in English and Spanish in written and spoken forms.
• Intermediate proficiency with online research and Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, OneDrive, Teams).
• Familiar with conducting virtual meetings, training, and observations on software such as Zoom and Teams.
• Ability to pick up on client verbal and non-verbal cues.
• Reliable transportation to travel to off-site work locations.
• Reliable internet and phone connection.
• Ability to travel to and enter care provider facilities funded by the Office of Refugee Resettlement.

Nice-to-haves

• Licensed to practice law and member in the State Bar of Texas, and one year experience.
• Prior work experience with children, particularly from Central America and including indigenous language-speaking populations.
• Prior volunteer, community, or work experience regarding immigration or detention.
• Prior non-profit experience, particularly involving immigration detention.

Benefits

• Medical and prescription insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Voluntary life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Prepaid Legal Plan
• 401 (k)
• Paid company holidays
• Personal time off
• Vacation time off
• Self-Care time off
• Sign on bonus offered
• Additional bonuses for continuous service at 2-year, 3-year, & 4-year service anniversaries
• Relocation Stipend offered for in state and out of state relocation