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Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) · 2 weeks ago

Senior Attorney - Detained, New York, NY

New York, NY

Full-time

Onsite

Mid, Senior Level

$93K/yr - $116K/yr

4+ years exp

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. The Senior Attorney will provide senior-level expertise and leadership in delivering legal services to detained unaccompanied children facing removal proceedings, overseeing a team of attorneys and paralegals, and ensuring high-quality legal representation and advocacy.

AdvocacyInformation TechnologyLegalSocial

Comp. & Benefits

Responsibilities

Oversees 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

Reviews intakes by detained team and make determinations regarding eligibility for immigration relief

Liaisons with shelter staff and other stakeholders as needed to maximize efficient and effective services to detained children

Once children are released locally from detention, based on caseloads and experience, funding streams, and institutional priorities, performs hybrid mentoring and direct legal representation functions, including providing zealous legal advocacy to KIND’s clients in direct representation cases, as well as providing robust consultation and technical assistance to pro bono attorneys who have accepted a KIND case. Percentage of mentoring and direct representation caseloads will be determined by management in the Legal Services component

As needed, represents a smaller docket of children in their applications for relief who do not have reunification options and must remain longer in detention

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

Assists the Managing Attorney to monitor daily arrivals, transfers, and discharges of immigrant children housed in ORR facilities in relevant jurisdiction(s)

Oversees or conducts drafting of eligibility letters for children to be transferred outside of relevant jurisdiction(s) for long term foster care determinations

Oversees or conduct assembly of court packages as needed, dependent on Immigration Court practices in local jurisdiction

Assists the Managing Attorney in the completion of program reports, as needed, for partners and other stakeholders

Assists Managing Attorney in overseeing data management, ensuring data integrity through regular case audits and technical fluency with KIND’s case management systems

Under the direction of the Managing Attorney, coordinates in-house and volunteer pro bono case placements

In coordination with KIND’s Training and Technical Assistance Team and the local office Senior Attorneys, 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

Represents KIND at local coalitions, courts, and agencies

Supervises attorneys, supports staff, law student interns and volunteers

Qualification

Immigration lawLegal representationSupervision of attorneysChildrenLegal researchBilingual (English/Spanish)Microsoft Office SuiteMulti-taskingOrganizational skillsCollaboration

Required

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)

Must be fully bilingual in both English and Spanish

Minimum of 4 years 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 3 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 2 years of experience supervising attorneys and/or legal staff if the position requires supervision. For non-supervisory senior attorneys, a minimum of 2 years demonstrating proven legal expertise or exemplary skills in managing complex legal projects

Minimum of 1 year of experience working in a detained setting

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

Preferred

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

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

Company

Kids in Need of Defense (KIND)

Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) is the preeminent international nongovernmental organization devoted to the protection of unaccompanied and separated children.

Founded in 2008

Washington, District of Columbia, USA

501-1000 employees