Senior Staff Attorney - Litigation

CASA•Hyattsville, MD

11h

About The Position

We Are CASA is hiring a Senior Staff Attorney to defend, advocate for, and work alongside its members. The attorney works with paralegals, organizers, advocates, and social service staff in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and shares time between We Are CASA and its related organization, CASA in Action. This shared arrangement does not affect salary or benefits. The position may be based at We Are CASA’s Multicultural Center in Hyattsville, Maryland; Baltimore Welcome Center in Baltimore, Maryland; Rockville Welcome Center in Rockville, Maryland; or Woodbridge Welcome Center in Woodbridge, Virginia. Under attorney supervision, the Senior Staff Attorney oversees and provides civil legal representation, offers brief legal services and education, mentors legal staff and volunteers, and participates in community workshops and clinics. The role also represents We Are CASA in coalitions, develops relationships with partners and volunteers, coordinates with other departments, and supports organizing campaigns through consultations, representation, urgent response, impact litigation, and policy advocacy. Outreach work includes know-your-rights presentations, developing and distributing educational materials, training organizers and members, and identifying clients who may participate in campaigns or speak with media. The attorney completes timely data entry and verification, prepares reports for funders and internal evaluation, participates in annual planning, and provides case examples, profiles, and statistics for reporting. This is a union-represented position. The organization provides reasonable accommodations in accordance with the ADA.

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 a 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 the principles of zealous advocacy.
Strong time-management skills.
Ability to work well individually 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 the supervision of the Supervising Attorney, Managing Attorney, or Legal Director.
Mentor Staff Attorneys, Membership Services Paralegals, other Legal Department staff, volunteers, and interns on complex cases or issues.
Provide brief legal services, including legal orientation, intake, education, counseling, advice, and referrals.
Lead and participate in community workshops and clinics organized by the Legal Department or other departments.
Represent We Are CASA in external coalitions and collaborative spaces, including coordination with co-counsel on complex or high-profile cases.
Develop and manage relationships with external partners to advance departmental and organizational objectives, including campaigns and service delivery.
Build relationships with volunteers and key partners, including pro bono attorneys, law students, and other relevant professionals.
Coordinate with We Are CASA departments to align campaign work and ensure high-quality service delivery.
Support the Organizing department through legal consultations, direct representation, responses to urgent situations, campaign collaboration, and other assistance.
Co-counsel with legal services providers or pro bono counsel to pursue impact litigation.
Participate in advocacy, community organizing, and campaigns for improved local, state, and federal laws or policies, including drafting or reviewing legislation, presenting testimony, organizing hearings, and lobbying.
Conduct know-your-rights presentations and other legal education and outreach.
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 ongoing data entry and verification, prepare reports, participate in annual planning, and provide case information and statistics for reporting deadlines.
Travel regularly between We Are CASA locations.

Benefits

Paid time off, including annual leave starting at three weeks per year, two weeks of sick leave, three days of personal leave, and additional compensatory leave for exempt employees.
Sixteen paid holidays per calendar year.
Health, dental, and vision insurance, with employer-paid premiums up to the HMO plan for employees and partial premium contributions for eligible dependents.
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.
Voluntary FSA, including dependent care.
401(k) retirement plan with a 2% employer discretionary match.
Voluntary supplemental health benefits.
Mileage reimbursement for positions required to drive on We Are CASA business.
Cell phone stipend for positions required to use a personal cellphone for We Are CASA business.