Managing Attorney, San Francisco & Fresno

Managing Attorney, San Francisco & Fresno

Apply for the Managing Attorney, San Francisco & Fresno role at National Legal Aid & Defender Association.

Position Description

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 Managing Attorney, San Francisco to assist in the management of the delivery of legal services to children and families impacted by family separation and other emerging legal and policy changes affecting migrant children seeking safe haven in the U.S., provide direct representation, pro bono mentoring, and strategic legal counsel and program planning and implementation in a cutting‑edge area of humanitarian immigration work on behalf of highly vulnerable children. As needed, the incumbent will supervise Staff Attorneys, Senior Paralegals, Paralegals, and program staff. The Managing Attorney, San Francisco will report to the Managing Director, San Francisco.

This position is contingent upon continued funding.

Essential Functions

• Supervise and lead program staff in the relevant jurisdiction(s) in consultation with the Managing Director, including program oversight, direct representation and pro‑bono placements, supervising casework, managing caseloads and other assignments, promoting, and advising supervisees on professional growth, conducting employee performance evaluations, meeting regularly with each supervisee, and providing consistent and effective supervision to ensure high‑quality legal work and achievement of deliverables.
• Plan and implement effective recruitment, mentoring, and case placement strategies to increase pro‑bono representation of unaccompanied immigrant children with support from the Senior Director for Pro‑bono Partnerships; ensure staff adherence to KIND standards for pro‑bono mentorship.
• Lead, delegate, and develop pro‑bono training resources and local training curriculum, including sample filings and guidance packets, in coordination with KIND’s Legal and Technical Assistance Team and Senior Director for Pro‑bono Partnerships; assist with development and conducting of a local KIND training for both staff and external partners and stakeholders.
• Provide mentoring to KIND pro‑bono attorneys and direct legal representation to KIND clients:
  1. In the pro‑bono mentoring function: provide robust consultation and technical assistance to pro‑bono attorneys who have accepted a KIND case.
  2. 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.
• Provide legal skills training and technical case assistance to in‑house staff, pro‑bono attorneys, or other stakeholders, in coordination with field office colleagues and KIND’s Training and Technical Assistance Team.
• Support the Managing Director to develop and implement management strategies to meet ambitious programmatic and funding deliverables, including staff recruitment and development‑support functions, employee engagement, and quality control of KIND’s legal services delivery.
• Partner with the Managing Director to ensure mid‑level supervisors in the field office are equipped and trained to effectively supervise and coach their direct reports.
• Oversee data management, ensuring data integrity through regular case audits, technical fluency with KIND’s case management systems, and oversight of data upkeep and accuracy by supervisees.
• In collaboration with the Managing Director, lead and manage large and complex programs, oversee and draft grant reports, metrics oversight, and assist in the drafting of funding proposals as needed.
• Maintain internal and external stakeholder relations; participate in local coalitions of various stakeholders supporting unaccompanied immigrant children.
• Collaborate with other KIND departments on specific projects and initiatives as needed, including KIND’s Policy, Advocacy, Communications, and International departments.
• Participate in and lead local and national KIND meetings, committees, retreats, and events.

Qualifications & Requirements

• J.D. and admitted to state bar.
• Fully 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 6 years of experience practicing immigration law, including representation of clients in humanitarian immigration claims such as asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, U visas, and T visas.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience working with children, preferably immigrant and refugee children, and/or working with survivors of abuse, human trafficking, or other trauma.
• Experience working with law firm attorneys and/or other legal volunteers.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience supervising attorneys and non‑attorney staff.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in program management, including project management, tracking deliverables, hiring, planning and development.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience working in a Released setting, if the position is over a Released program.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Spanish.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (such as Teams, Excel, etc.).
• Ability to work collaboratively and multi‑task in a 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 work‑home life balance.
• Experience working and communicating in a remote environment preferred but not required.

Salary: $110,939 – $138,673 per year.

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.

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.