Overview
The Amica Center for Immigrant Rights (formerly 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. The Children’s Program provides legal orientation and screening to detained migrant children in the Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia region. We also offer free legal services to children released from Office of Refugee Resettlement custody to the greater capitol region.
The Children’s Program offers a collaborative work environment focused on providing high-quality, trauma-informed legal and social services and on staff growth and support. Supervisors in the program are committed to teaching, mentorship, and work-life balance.
Position Summary
A Senior Attorney in the Children’s Program works collaboratively with staff and leadership to:
- Ensure clients receive high-quality, culturally competent legal services while detained and after release;
- Participate in, and assist with the coordination of, visits to detention centers for the purpose of conducting legal intakes and Know Your Rights (KYR) presentations to detained children;
- Provide direct legal services to unaccompanied immigrant children;
- Mentor pro bono attorneys providing legal services to unaccompanied immigrant children;
- Supervise paralegals, interns, and staff attorneys (depending on experience level); and
- Promote a team culture of equity and inclusion.
General Duties and Responsibilities
Representation
- Manage a caseload including representation of both detained and released clients. This includes representation before the local immigration courts, USCIS, and state courts in the following types of cases: Asylum, Withholding of Removal, protection under the Convention against Torture, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, U visas, and T visas.
- Participate in legal screenings and follow-up interviews to determine eligibility for legal relief and facilitation of case placement with in-house or pro bono attorneys.
- Support the program’s efforts to remain abreast of new developments in the law and to train staff on immigration and relevant aspects of family law.
- Supervise paralegals, interns, and staff attorneys on aspects of case work. Supervision of other attorneys is dependent on experience.
- Provide expert mentoring to pro bono attorneys from law firms handling children’s immigration cases.
- Undertake own administrative tasks, including casework (e.g., preparation and submission of filings, file maintenance, and record keeping), and social services referrals.
Organizational Services
- Assist program leadership with the implementation of long-term program plans and contract / grant compliance.
- Facilitate and/or participate in regular facility visits for the purpose of conducting legal intakes and KYR presentations for detained children.
- Ensure a smooth operation of administrative aspects of the program such as processing referrals and the internal case placement process.
- Ensure the timely and accurate entry of case information into shared databases.
- Assist other program staff in completion of their workload during high-work/low-bandwidth periods.
- Participate in stakeholder relationship activities, including training and meetings with community groups, government agencies, detention center staff, and other legal service providers.
- Engages with internal Amica Center committees and working groups to participate in the growth and strategy of the organization.
(1) This list is illustrative and not intended to be a complete classification of all job functions or tasks.
Competencies Required
Legal Proficiency: The Senior Attorney demonstrates a solid understanding of legal concepts, allowing them to provide competent and client-centered services with limited supervision. The Senior Attorney effectively advocates through written and oral work with limited input from supervisors. The Senior Attorney has experience litigating and preparing for hearings or interviews for clients with limited supervision. The Senior Attorney competently supervises aspects of the work of staff attorneys, paralegals and interns on client relationships 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 (including KYRs, legal intakes, follow-up interviewing, case placements, direct representation services, and pro bono mentorship) with limited supervision. The Senior Attorney independently manages a full caseload of in-house and pro bono mentoring cases to allow for appropriate prioritization and thoughtful use of time and resources. The Senior Attorney supervises junior staff to ensure programmatic efficiency and efficacy. The Senior Attorney exercises sound judgment and decision-making skills and identifies when issues must be elevated to leadership.
Administrative: The Senior Attorney ensures that all administrative aspects of their position, and that of their supervisees, are carried out without managerial intervention, including timekeeping, file maintenance, database entries, etc.
Qualifications Required
- JD and at least three (3) years' relevant experience in immigration law (SIJS experience a plus).
- Experience working with child clients preferred.
- Prior supervision experience preferred but not required.
- Written and oral Spanish fluency.
- Must be licensed to practice law in Maryland or Virginia, eligible to waive into the Maryland or Virginia bar, or willing to sit for the next scheduled bar exam.
- 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. This role requires travel, but qualified individuals with disabilities may be accommodated in a reasonable manner under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
- Commitment to principles of equity and inclusion.
- Favorable results on background check including driving record, Child Protection Registry, and state and federal criminal records.
- Ability to work in a hybrid work environment fulfill job responsibilities in-person as required.
Additional Role-Specific Details
Position Type: Full-time, Exempt
Reports To: Assigned Managing Attorney or Program Director
Hiring Timeline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Salary: $67,800 – $76,850. A higher salary may be offered to candidates with 4+ years of directly relevant experience.
Location and/or Travel Requirements: This position will be based at the Washington, D.C. or Baltimore, MD Office. Candidates should live within 30 miles of their assigned primary office.
Telework: Amica Center operates a hybrid work environment. Most staff are required to work at least one day per week in-office; some roles require more on-site attendance or travel.
COVID-19 Vaccination: All employees are required to be fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19. If boosters are subsequently recommended by the CDC, employees will be required to receive the booster within thirty (30) days of eligibility.
Benefits
- Amica Center’s benefits package includes:
- 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 supervisor approval;
- Pre-tax commuter benefits for those living in the DMV;
- Subsidized health, dental, and vision insurance (the organization contributes at a high rate);
- A work issued cell phone;
- Life insurance valued at $50,000, plus long and short term disability;
- Flexible Spending Account option;
- High Deductible Health Plan with a one-time employer contribution to an HSA;
- 403(b) option with possible employer matching after one year of continuous employment.
Paid time off includes
- 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
At Amica Center, we embrace diversity and provide equal opportunities for growth. If you are passionate about our mission, we encourage you to submit your application. Candidates from traditionally underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply. If you require accommodations to apply, please contact
EEO Statement:
Amica Center is an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination and harassment and provide equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
How to Apply: Submit your resume, a cover letter that explains your interest in this role, and a writing sample with your application.
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