Senior Staff Attorney - Litigation

CASA INC•Hyattsville, MD

1d•$75,000 - $79,280•Onsite

About The Position

We Are CASA is a member-led organization working to build power and improve quality of life in working-class Black, Latino/a/e, Afro-descendant, Indigenous, and immigrant communities. Its sister organization, CASA in Action, is a separate 501(c)(4) nonprofit. This position shares time between the two organizations without affecting salary or benefits. The Senior Staff Attorney works alongside members and a team of paralegals, organizers, advocates, and social-service staff to provide legal representation, advocacy, and support. The legal program pursues creative strategies and broad, transformative solutions in partnership with immigrant leaders, We Are CASA staff, and other organizations. The position may be based at the Multicultural Center in Hyattsville, the Baltimore Welcome Center, the Rockville Welcome Center, or the Woodbridge Welcome Center. The attorney oversees and provides civil legal representation, delivers brief legal services and community education, supports organizing and campaigns, and builds relationships with coalitions, partners, and volunteers. The role also includes mentoring colleagues, policy advocacy, impact litigation collaboration, outreach, and administrative reporting and planning. The position is supervised by a Supervising Attorney, Managing Attorney, or Legal Director. The position is union-represented by the Communication Workers of America, Local WBNG 32035. The salary range is $75,000–$79,280. Benefits include paid leave and holidays, insurance, professional development reimbursement, retirement benefits, an employee assistance program, and certain allowances.

Requirements

Admitted to practice law in the jurisdiction where the position is based, or able to be admitted immediately.
Valid U.S. driver’s license and reliable vehicle.
At least 3 years of experience delivering civil legal services and/or working on litigation or policy advocacy directly relevant to working-class Black, Latino/a/e, Afro-descendant, Indigenous, and immigrant communities.
Strong professional client management skills.
Strong communication skills.
Strong commitment to We Are CASA’s mission and to the principles of zealous advocacy.
Strong time-management skills.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Ability to travel regularly between We Are CASA locations.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual English/Spanish skills are strongly preferred.
French language skills are a plus.

Responsibilities

Oversee and provide legal representation to We Are CASA members in civil legal cases under attorney supervision.
Mentor Staff Attorneys, Membership Services Paralegals, other Legal Department staff, volunteers, and interns handling complex legal matters.
Provide brief legal services, including legal orientation, intake, education, counseling, advice, and referrals.
Lead and participate in community workshops and clinics.
Represent We Are CASA in external coalitions and collaborative spaces, update partners on the organization’s work, and coordinate mission-oriented efforts.
Develop and manage relationships with external partners, including partners involved in campaigns and service delivery.
Build relationships with volunteers and key partners, including pro bono attorneys, law students, and relevant professionals.
Coordinate with We Are CASA departments to align campaign objectives and ensure high-quality service delivery.
Support organizing department legal needs, including consultations and representation for organizing committee members, urgent responses to evictions or immigration raids, and campaign work.
Co-counsel with legal services providers or pro bono counsel on impact litigation.
Participate in advocacy and community organizing campaigns for improved local, state, and federal laws or policies, including drafting or reviewing legislation, presenting testimony, organizing hearings, and lobbying.
Conduct outreach and legal education, including know-your-rights presentations.
Design, edit, and distribute legal education materials and facilitate Train the Trainer workshops.
Identify clients to participate in public campaigns and speak with media.
Complete timely data entry and verification and prepare reports for funders or internal evaluation.
Participate in annual planning, develop and execute individual work plans, and evaluate and provide feedback on plans.
Provide case examples, case profiles, and statistics for regular reporting deadlines.

Benefits

Annual leave starting at three weeks per year, accrued proportionally per pay period.
Two weeks of sick leave.
Three days of personal leave.
Additional compensatory leave for exempt employees.
Sixteen paid holidays per calendar year.
Health, dental, and vision insurance; We Are CASA pays 100% of employee premiums up to the HMO plan, and specified portions for couples, children, and family coverage.
Basic life and AD&D insurance.
Long- and short-term disability insurance.
Professional development reimbursement of up to $3,000 for eligible work-related courses of study.
Employee Assistance Program.
Flexible Spending Account, including dependent care.
401(k) retirement plan with a 2% employer discretionary match.
Supplemental health benefits.
Mileage reimbursement for positions requiring business driving.
Cell phone stipend for positions requiring business use of a cellphone.