Senior Attorney- Pro Bono, Detained Adult Program

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

14d•$67,800 - $110,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Amica Center for Immigrant Rights (Amica Center), previously known as CAIR Coalition, is the only non-profit organization in the Washington, D.C. area that is exclusively focused on providing legal assistance to adult and child immigrants detained by the government in the Capital Region and beyond. The Detained Adult Program (DAP) works with hundreds of adults who are detained by ICE each year, providing information, support, and legal representation. We provide trauma-sensitive, person-centered services, and deeply value the autonomy of the people we work with in detention as they navigate the fundamentally inhumane immigration system. The Detained Adult Program (DAP) works with hundreds of adults who are detained by ICE each year, providing information, support, and legal representation. We provide trauma-sensitive, person-centered services, and deeply value the autonomy of the people we work with in detention as they navigate the fundamentally inhumane immigration system. DAP provides legal representation to detained immigrants regardless of their criminal history and immigration procedural postures. Amica Center’s Detained Adult Program is a highly collaborative work environment. Each team lead works directly with a focused team, but all colleagues are interconnected through, for example, case workshops or staff-run committees. DAP staff are a source of expertise in the highly complex and ever-changing immigration system. They have persisted through administration changes, policy shifts, and attacks on the rights and freedoms of immigrants through project-focused cohorts that arise to address challenges or to brainstorm and implement affirmative strategies. The National Immigrant Legal Responders Alliance (NILRA) is a nationwide initiative dedicated to strengthening the immigration legal field’s capacity to respond to mass arrests, detentions, and deportations. NILRA brings together frontline legal providers—nonprofit organizations, pro bono partners, and private attorneys—to coordinate efforts to expand access to high-quality legal support for targeted communities, particularly individuals in immigration custody. Amid unprecedented attacks on immigrant rights, fast-tracked removals, and expanded detention, NILRA works to bolster the field by increasing the number of attorneys equipped to represent detained individuals. A core strategy is pairing pro bono attorneys with experienced mentors and providing responsive technical assistance to ensure detained individuals receive fair hearings and protection from unlawful transfers or deportations without due process. The Senior Attorney (Pro Bono Mentorship) focuses on providing mentorship and technical assistance to volunteer attorneys through NILRA who have agreed to provide representation to detained immigrants free of charge.

Requirements

JD/LLM and 3-5 years of relevant experience in immigration law.
Habeas or federal court litigation experience required.
Must be licensed to practice law and in good standing with a state bar.
Legal Proficiency
The Senior Attorney demonstrates a solid understanding of necessary legal concepts such as habeas, asylum/withholding of removal/CAT, cancellation of removal and other defenses against deportation, at a level that allows them to provide technical assistance to external pro bono attorneys with limited supervision. The Senior Attorney clearly and skillfully employs the law in written and oral presentations and assists pro bono attorneys in doing the same. The Senior Attorney has taken on multiple hearings or interviews for clients with limited supervision. The Senior Attorney is able to competently mentor pro bono attorneys on client interaction matters and legal strategy, research, and writing. The Senior Attorney demonstrates cultural competency and trauma-informed practices.
Client and Programmatic Proficiency
The Senior Attorney competently handles and supervises all required programmatic obligations (pro bono mentoring, program reporting requirements, intake, follow-up, etc.). The Senior Attorney manages their mentoring responsibilities and in-house caseload to allow for proper prioritization and thoughtful use of time and resources. The Senior Attorney exercises sound judgment and decision-making skills and identifies when issues must be elevated to management.
Administrative
The Senior Attorney ensures that all administrative aspects of their position, attendant to the provision of services to clients, are carried out without managerial intervention, including timekeeping, file upkeep, database upkeep, etc.

Nice To Haves

Written and oral Spanish proficiency preferred.
At least 1-2 years of experience coordinating pro bono legal services preferred.
Experience in mentoring pro bono attorneys preferred

Responsibilities

Manages a caseload of pro bono mentorship, mentoring pro bono attorneys in habeas proceedings in federal district court and in detained removal proceedings before various immigration courts, the Board of Immigration Appeals, and federal courts.
This includes providing technical assistance on topics including detention and bond, habeas corpus, asylum, withholding of removal, protection under the Convention Against Torture, cancellation of removal, and the immigration consequences of criminal convictions.
Maintain records of pro bono cases to enable complete grant reporting and case management.
Participate in stakeholder relationship activities, including the training of pro bono attorneys on common topics in habeas and removal defense.

Benefits

Free gym access located in Washington, D.C or Baltimore, MD (dependent on employee’s primary office)
Flexible working hours after successful completion of trainings and with approval of supervisor
Pre-tax commuter benefits for those living in the DMV
Subsidized health, dental insurance, and vision insurance (Amica Center pays a very high rate of the insurance package, for which we can provide additional information)
Eligibility for data reimbursement payments totaling: $300 on an annual basis
Life Insurance valued at $50,000, as well as long- and short-term disability
The option to set up a Flexible Spending Account
High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a one-time employer contribution of $350 to the Health Savings Account (HSA)
The option to set up a 403(b) account (the equivalent of a 401(k) account for non-profits) which the organization has the option, for all employees on an annual basis, to match at a certain percentage after one year of continuous employment
23 personal days per calendar year
Up to 20 days of sick time per calendar year
7 hours of volunteer time off
Federal holidays
Winter break closure
12 weeks of parental leave