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Kids in Need of Defense (KIND)

Staff Attorney

Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), San Francisco, California, United States, 94199

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Overview

Want to make an application Make sure your CV is up to date, then read the following job specs carefully before applying. This range is provided by Kids in Need of Defense (KIND). Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range $82,537.00/yr - $103,172.00/yr

About KIND Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) is a global leader in the protection of unaccompanied and separated children who are forcibly displaced from their countries of origin. Launched in 2008, KIND champions a world in which every child’s rights and well-being are protected throughout their journey to safety. Building on its extensive programming and successful model in the United States, KIND is expanding in the Americas and Europe to bring its experience to bear in working with unaccompanied and separated children. Our work focuses on addressing the legal and mental health needs of this population; building strong partnerships and engaging in training and capacity strengthening with governments, NGOs, and the private sector; and advocating for systemic and pragmatic reforms to advance the rights of unaccompanied and separated children.

Position Summary KIND seeks a Staff Attorney to provide expert legal services to unaccompanied children needing legal representation through zealous direct representation as well as pro bono facilitation, including robust consultation, training, and technical assistance to pro bono attorneys who have accepted KIND cases. As needed, supervise Senior Paralegals, Paralegals, interns, and/or other non-attorney staff. The Staff Attorney will report to the Supervising Attorney. This position is contingent upon continued funding.

Essential Functions

Provide both mentoring to KIND pro bono attorneys and direct legal representation to KIND clients

In the pro bono mentoring function, provide robust consultation and technical assistance to pro bono attorneys who have accepted a KIND case

In the direct representation function, perform ordinary functions of legal counsel including legal research and formulating the legal strategy for the case; conducting client interviews; appearing before immigration and/or state courts or agencies; and drafting and filing court pleadings and applications for benefits

Supervise interns and/or other non-attorney staff as needed including:

Onboarding, skills training, daily support and coaching, review and quality assurance of filings, regular check-ins and performance evaluations, and provision of consistent and effective supervision and oversight

Place cases with pro bono attorneys and actively build relationships between KIND and the pro bono community

In coordination with KIND’s Training and Technical Assistance Team and the local field office Senior Attorney/s, as needed, help develop pro bono training resources and local training curriculum, including sample filings and guidance packets. With supervision, present trainings to pro bono attorneys and community groups

Contribute to overall office functioning, including actively participating in field office and KIND-wide calls and meetings, field office and KIND-wide committees, and assisting with office events

Ensure entry of timely, accurate, and detailed case data into KIND’s case management systems

Represent KIND at local coalitions, courts, and agencies

Qualifications and Requirements

J.D. and admitted to the local state bar (If not admitted to local state bar, must sit for bar exam or start waiver to be admitted within 6 months and be able to be admitted within one year of employment)

Fluent in English and Spanish (required for direct communication with the children we serve and their caregivers, the majority of whom are Spanish-speaking)

Minimum of 1 year of experience practicing immigration law, which should include representation of clients in humanitarian immigration claims such as asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, U visas, and T visas

Minimum of 1 year of experience working with children, preferably immigrant and refugee children

Experience working with law firm attorneys and/or other legal volunteers if the majority of the caseload is working directly with pro bono attorneys

Strong communication skills

Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (such as Teams, Excel, etc.)

Ability to work collaboratively and multi-task in our KIND environment, managing numerous priorities and emerging opportunities

Excellent organizational skills with the ability to work on multiple projects in a deadline-oriented environment; ability to prioritize tasks and delegate as appropriate

Ability to multitask and work with a sense of urgency in a dynamic, fast-paced environment

Committed to practicing and supporting wellbeing and a work-home life balance

Experience working and communicating in a remote environment preferred but not required

Our Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance with KIND paying 100% of the employee only portion of the premium for one of the three medical plan options, dental, and vision

Pre-tax flexible spending account (FSA) for both medical and dependent care

Pre-tax transit and parking spending account

Employer-paid life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment insurance

Employer-paid short and long-term disability insurance

For a complete list of benefits, please click here.

Our Focus on Wellness KIND recognizes that our ability to help our clients starts with helping our team members. KIND has prioritized wellness for employees through Mindfulness and Wellness Trainings, Wellness Platforms, Employee Assistance and Resilience Programs, Time Away and Office Wellness Activities. For more information regarding our Wellness initiatives please visit this link.

Application Instructions To be considered for this role, please submit an employment application at supportkind.org/join-the-team, along with your resume and cover letter.

Disclaimer:

KIND is committed to an ethical recruitment and hiring process and maintains a firm “no fees” recruitment policy. We will never charge a fee or ask for money as part of the application process. KIND also conducts all interviews via telephone or video conference, and at no time will KIND engage in a text or mobile app-based application or interview process. For more information, please visit the following website: https://supportkind.org/join-the-team/kind-employment-practices/

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