Staff Attorney, Detained Adult Program

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

53d•$61,500 - $69,700•Hybrid

About The Position

A Staff Attorney in the Detained Adult Program focuses on: (i) screening individuals for program eligibility and immigration relief, (ii) managing a caseload of direct legal services to immigrant adults held in facilities in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and elsewhere outside the DMV region, (iii) maintaining client and stakeholder information up to date in the organization’s database, (iv) advocating with stakeholders and community representatives for program and clients, and (v) the mentoring of pro bono attorneys. This project provides legal representation to detained immigrants regardless of their criminal history and immigration procedural postures.

Requirements

JD and 0-3 years of relevant experience with at least one year of immigration law preferred.
Must be licensed to practice law and in good standing with a state bar.
Written and oral Spanish proficiency required, fluency preferred.
Ability to manage a docket of detained removal defense cases.
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.

Nice To Haves

Strong trial advocacy skills preferred.

Responsibilities

Manage a caseload of in-house direct legal representation of detained clients in removal proceedings mainly before the Annandale, Baltimore, Elizabeth and Sterling Immigration Courts and other courts as needed. This includes representation in cases such as Asylum, Withholding of Removal, Protection under the Convention against Torture, , Board of Immigration Appeals, U-Visas, T- Visas, and Cancellation of Removal.
Provide expert mentoring to outside pro bono attorneys representing detained immigrants on a pro bono basis.
Prepare Post Release Plans and social service plans, in coordination with social services staff.
Research, engage, and prepare experts on health, behavioral health, and country conditions.
Conduct government detention center visits as needed to prepare clients for their immigration hearings.
Conduct individual intakes with immigrants at the detention facilities or remotely as necessary.
Provide necessary follow-up after intakes to evaluate program eligibility and eligibility for relief, including performing research, securing criminal/juvenile delinquency records and obtaining additional information from family and community members.
Ensure the inputting and accuracy of data and case information into shared databases in a timely fashion.
Assist other program staff in completion of their workload during high-work/low- bandwidth periods.
Take part in stakeholder relationship activities, including in-person and telephonic meetings with community groups, governmental bodies and representatives, and other legal service providers.
Engage with internal Amica Center committees and working groups to lend a voice to the growth and strategy of the organization if so desired.
Undertake own administrative functions, including casework (e.g., preparation of all aspects of filings). Amica Center attorneys do not have dedicated paralegals for assistance on cases and non-attorney staff time is dedicated to client-facing tasks (e.g., jail visits).
Coordinate with all internal DAP Programs to ensure all programs are kept abreast of developments and clients.

Benefits

Free gym access located in Washington, D.C (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)
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) savings account (the equivalent of a 401(k) account for non-profit organizations) 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