Kids in Need of Defense (KIND)
Senior Attorney - Detained, New York, NY
Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), New York, New York, us, 10261
$93,188.00/yr - $116,485.00/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 work with unaccompanied and separated children. Our work focuses on addressing legal and mental‑health needs; building strong partnerships with governments, NGOs, and the private sector; and advocating for systemic reforms to advance the rights of unaccompanied and separated children.
Position Summary KIND seeks a Senior Attorney to provide senior‑level expertise and leadership in the provision of legal services by KIND attorneys and pro‑bono partners to detained unaccompanied children facing removal proceedings. This role will serve as an expert advisor on complex legal issues for internal and external stakeholders, supervise staff attorneys and other non‑attorney staff as needed, and report to the Managing Attorney.
Essential Functions
Oversee a team of attorneys and paralegals to ensure the provision of high‑quality intakes and legal orientations for unaccompanied children residing in immigration detention facilities.
Review intakes by the detained team and make determinations regarding eligibility for immigration relief.
liaise with shelter staff and other stakeholders to maximize efficient services to detained children.
After local release, perform hybrid mentoring and direct legal representation, providing zealous advocacy to KIND’s clients and robust consultation for pro‑bono attorneys.
Represent a smaller docket of children in their relief applications who must remain longer in detention.
Perform ordinary functions of legal counsel: research, client interviews, court appearances, and drafting pleadings.
Assist the Managing Attorney in monitoring arrivals, transfers, and discharges of immigrant children in ORR facilities.
Oversee or draft eligibility letters for transfer to foster care and assemble court packages as needed.
Assist in program reporting for partners and other stakeholders.
Oversee data management, ensuring integrity through case audits and system proficiency.
Coordinate pro‑bono case placements and develop training resources with the Training and Technical Assistance Team.
Represent KIND at local coalitions, courts, and agencies.
Supervise attorneys, staff, law students, and volunteers.
Qualifications and Requirements
J.D. and admitted to the local state bar (or willing to obtain admission within one year).
Fully bilingual in English and Spanish.
Minimum 4 years of immigration law practice, including humanitarian claims such as asylum, S.I.J.S., U and T visas.
Minimum 3 years of experience working with children, preferably immigrant or refugee children, and/or trauma survivors.
Experience collaborating with law firm attorneys and/or legal volunteers.
Minimum 2 years of supervising attorneys or legal staff, or respectively demonstrating legal expertise in complex projects.
Minimum 1 year of experience working in a detained setting.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
Ability to work collaboratively and multi‑task in a fast‑paced environment.
Excellent organizational and prioritization skills.
Committed to work‑life balance and well‑being.
Remote‑work experience preferred but not required.
Our Benefits
Medical, dental, and vision insurance (KIND pays 100% of employee‑only premium for one of the three medical plans).
Pre‑tax flexible spending account (FSA) for medical and dependent care.
Pre‑tax transit and parking account.
Employer‑paid life, 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 prioritizes wellness for employees through mindfulness and wellness trainings, wellness platforms, employee assistance, 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 conducts all interviews via telephone or video conference and does not use text or mobile app‑based application or interview processes. For more information, please visit https://supportkind.org/join-the-team/kind-employment-practices/. AI tools may be used to support parts of the hiring process, but final hiring decisions are made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
Seniority level Not Applicable
Employment type Full‑time
Job function Finance and Consulting
Industries Financial Services and Hospitals and Health Care
Referrals Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) by 2x
#J-18808-Ljbffr
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 work with unaccompanied and separated children. Our work focuses on addressing legal and mental‑health needs; building strong partnerships with governments, NGOs, and the private sector; and advocating for systemic reforms to advance the rights of unaccompanied and separated children.
Position Summary KIND seeks a Senior Attorney to provide senior‑level expertise and leadership in the provision of legal services by KIND attorneys and pro‑bono partners to detained unaccompanied children facing removal proceedings. This role will serve as an expert advisor on complex legal issues for internal and external stakeholders, supervise staff attorneys and other non‑attorney staff as needed, and report to the Managing Attorney.
Essential Functions
Oversee a team of attorneys and paralegals to ensure the provision of high‑quality intakes and legal orientations for unaccompanied children residing in immigration detention facilities.
Review intakes by the detained team and make determinations regarding eligibility for immigration relief.
liaise with shelter staff and other stakeholders to maximize efficient services to detained children.
After local release, perform hybrid mentoring and direct legal representation, providing zealous advocacy to KIND’s clients and robust consultation for pro‑bono attorneys.
Represent a smaller docket of children in their relief applications who must remain longer in detention.
Perform ordinary functions of legal counsel: research, client interviews, court appearances, and drafting pleadings.
Assist the Managing Attorney in monitoring arrivals, transfers, and discharges of immigrant children in ORR facilities.
Oversee or draft eligibility letters for transfer to foster care and assemble court packages as needed.
Assist in program reporting for partners and other stakeholders.
Oversee data management, ensuring integrity through case audits and system proficiency.
Coordinate pro‑bono case placements and develop training resources with the Training and Technical Assistance Team.
Represent KIND at local coalitions, courts, and agencies.
Supervise attorneys, staff, law students, and volunteers.
Qualifications and Requirements
J.D. and admitted to the local state bar (or willing to obtain admission within one year).
Fully bilingual in English and Spanish.
Minimum 4 years of immigration law practice, including humanitarian claims such as asylum, S.I.J.S., U and T visas.
Minimum 3 years of experience working with children, preferably immigrant or refugee children, and/or trauma survivors.
Experience collaborating with law firm attorneys and/or legal volunteers.
Minimum 2 years of supervising attorneys or legal staff, or respectively demonstrating legal expertise in complex projects.
Minimum 1 year of experience working in a detained setting.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
Ability to work collaboratively and multi‑task in a fast‑paced environment.
Excellent organizational and prioritization skills.
Committed to work‑life balance and well‑being.
Remote‑work experience preferred but not required.
Our Benefits
Medical, dental, and vision insurance (KIND pays 100% of employee‑only premium for one of the three medical plans).
Pre‑tax flexible spending account (FSA) for medical and dependent care.
Pre‑tax transit and parking account.
Employer‑paid life, 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 prioritizes wellness for employees through mindfulness and wellness trainings, wellness platforms, employee assistance, 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 conducts all interviews via telephone or video conference and does not use text or mobile app‑based application or interview processes. For more information, please visit https://supportkind.org/join-the-team/kind-employment-practices/. AI tools may be used to support parts of the hiring process, but final hiring decisions are made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
Seniority level Not Applicable
Employment type Full‑time
Job function Finance and Consulting
Industries Financial Services and Hospitals and Health Care
Referrals Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) by 2x
#J-18808-Ljbffr