Senior Attorney, Children's Program

Amica Center for Immigrant Rights (Amica Center)•Washington, DC

1d•$70,750 - $85,600•Hybrid

About The Position

The Amica Center for Immigrant Rights fights for the rights, safety, and unity of immigrant communities, standing with those trapped in our nation’s fundamentally flawed immigration system. We engage in unwavering legal defense and strategic litigation for immigrant children and adults facing detention and deportation in the Capital Region and beyond, because everyone has the right to be free, safe, and supported. The Children’s Program provides legal orientation and screening to detained migrant children in the Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia region. We also offer free legal services to children released from Office of Refugee Resettlement custody to the greater capitol region. Amica Center’s Children’s Program is a highly collaborative work environment. We are committed to providing high-quality, trauma-informed legal and social services and a culture of professional growth and support for staff. Although aspects of our work are completed in smaller teams, we work towards integrated and client-focused services across the program by embracing interconnectivity. We strive to create systems that provide structure while fostering innovation and adaptability. Supervisors in our program share a commitment to teaching, mentorship, and work life balance. A Senior Attorney in the Children’s Program works collaboratively with staff and leadership to ensure clients receive high-quality, culturally competent legal services while detained and after release; participate in, and assist with the coordination of, visits to detention centers for the purpose of conducting legal intakes and Know Your Rights (KYR) presentations to detained children; provide direct legal services to unaccompanied immigrant children; mentor pro bono attorneys providing legal services to unaccompanied immigrant children; supervise paralegals, interns, and staff attorneys (depending on experience level); and promote a team culture of equity and inclusion.

Requirements

JD and at least three (3) years' relevant experience in immigration law (SIJS experience a plus).
Experience working with child clients preferred.
Prior supervision experience preferred but not required.
Written and oral Spanish fluency.
Must be licensed to practice law in Maryland or Virginia, eligible to waive into the Maryland or Virginia bar, or willing to sit for the next scheduled bar exam.
It is expected that the candidate will need to travel for work-related business. As a result, the candidate must possess a valid driver's license and be comfortable operating a vehicle upon hiring. This role requires travel, but qualified individuals with disabilities may be accommodated in a reasonable manner under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Commitment to principles of equity and inclusion.
Favorable results on background check including driving record, Child Protection Registry, and state and federal criminal records.
Ability to work in a hybrid work environment fulfill job responsibilities in-person as required.

Nice To Haves

SIJS experience a plus
Prior supervision experience preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Manage a caseload including representation of both detained and released clients. This includes representation before the local immigration courts, USCIS, and state courts in the following types of cases: Asylum, Withholding of Removal, protection under the Convention against Torture, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, U visas, and T visas.
Participate in legal screenings and follow-up interviews to determine eligibility for legal relief and facilitation of case placement with in-house or pro bono attorneys.
Support the program’s efforts to remain abreast of new developments in the law and to train staff on immigration and relevant aspects of family law.
Supervise paralegals, interns, and staff attorneys on aspects of case work. Supervision of other attorneys is dependent on experience.
Provide expert mentoring to pro bono attorneys from law firms handling children’s immigration cases.
Undertake own administrative tasks, including casework (e.g., preparation and submission of filings, file maintenance, and recordkeeping), and social services referrals.
Assist program leadership with the implementation of long-term program plans and contract / grant compliance.
Facilitate and/or participate in regular facility visits for the purpose of conducting legal intakes and KYR presentations for detained children.
Ensure a smooth operation of administrative aspects of the program such as processing referrals and the internal case placement process.
Ensure the timely and accurate entry of case information into shared databases.
Assist other program staff in completion of their workload during high-work/low- bandwidth periods.
Participate in stakeholder relationship activities, including training and meetings with community groups, government agencies, detention center staff, and other legal service providers.
Engages with internal Amica Center committees and working groups to participate in the growth and strategy of the organization.