ProBAR - Staff Attorney with on-the-job Spanish-language training

$72,500 - $72,500/Yr

American Bar Association - Harlingen, TX

Full-time - Entry Level

Hybrid - Harlingen, TX

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

The Staff Attorney position at ProBAR involves providing legal services to detained unaccompanied children in immigration removal proceedings within the border region. This role is crucial in ensuring that vulnerable children receive the legal representation and support they need during their immigration processes. The attorney will be part of ProBAR's Children's Team, which focuses on advocating for children seeking humanitarian immigration relief and supporting unrepresented minors in immigration court. The position emphasizes a holistic approach, integrating legal advocacy with connections to essential services for children released from detention. A unique aspect of this role is the opportunity to gain Spanish language fluency through the Adelante con ProBAR Spanish Language Learning Program. This program is designed for attorneys who may not currently be fluent in Spanish but are committed to improving their language skills while serving the community. The first cohort of attorneys participating in this program will be recruited by July 2024, and they will receive both language and legal skills training to effectively represent unaccompanied children. The Staff Attorney will be responsible for direct representation of children in immigration removal proceedings, reviewing legal screenings conducted by non-attorney staff, and assigning follow-up services as necessary. Regular appearances in immigration court are required, where the attorney will represent children and act as a Friend of Court for other detained youth. Additionally, the attorney will develop and maintain legal competency in immigration detention work, build relationships with local stakeholders, and adhere to ethical practices regarding client confidentiality. This position is based in Harlingen, Texas, with the possibility of travel to various care provider facilities and immigration detention centers. The role requires a Juris Doctorate degree from an ABA-accredited law school, a valid license to practice law, and a baseline proficiency in both English and Spanish. The attorney must also be willing to improve their Spanish fluency through the Adelante program, which is a key component of this position.

Responsibilities

• Learning and achieving Spanish language fluency through courses provided by the Adelante con ProBAR Spanish Language Program
• Provides legal services including direct representation to detained or locally released children in immigration removal proceedings
• Reviews legal screenings conducted by non-attorney staff
• Reviews and assigns follow-up services, including additional interviewing, referrals to other legal services providers and advocates, or in-house representation
• Regularly appear in immigration court to represent children in removal proceedings and to act as Friend of Court for other detained youth as appropriate
• May also appear in Texas state court as related to a child's immigration case
• Develops and maintains legal competency relating to immigration detention work, specifically as applied to unaccompanied minors
• Builds and maintains relations with local stakeholders
• Observes ethical practices relating to client confidentiality using division's case management system
• Performs other related duties as required

Requirements

• Possession of a Juris Doctorate degree from an ABA-accredited law school and be in good standing
• Licensed to practice law in a U.S. state or territory
• Baseline proficiency in English and Spanish in written and spoken forms
• Must be willing to improve fluency by participating in the Adelante con ProBAR Spanish Language Program
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office products and Google tools
• Must be able to pick up on client verbal and non-verbal cues
• Have reliable transportation to travel to off-site work locations
• Must have reliable internet and phone connection
• Must be insurable and have an acceptable driving record
• Ability to travel to and enter care provider facilities funded by the Office of Refugee Resettlement
• Ability to travel to and enter detention centers
• Clearance of federal background checks will be required for this position

Nice-to-haves

• Licensed to practice law and member in the State Bar of Texas, and one year experience
• Proficiency in another language other than Spanish and English
• Prior work experience with children, particularly from Central America and including Mayan 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
• PSLF participant
• Sign on bonus offered
• Additional bonuses offered for continuous service at 2-year, 3-year, & 4-year service anniversaries
• Relocation Stipend offered for in state and out of state relocation