Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) · 1 day ago
Senior Attorney, New York, NY
New York, NY
Full-time
Onsite
Mid, Senior Level
$92K/yr - $114K/yr
4+ years expKids 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 the provision of legal services to unaccompanied children facing removal proceedings, including mentoring pro bono attorneys and supervising legal staff.
AdvocacyInformation TechnologyLegalSocial
Responsibilities
Provides both mentoring to KIND pro bono attorneys and direct legal representation to KIND clients:
In the pro bono mentoring function, provides robust consultation and technical assistance to pro bono attorneys who have accepted a KIND case
In the direct representation function, performs ordinary functions of legal counsel including legal research and formulating the legal strategy for the case; conducts client interviews; appears before immigration and/or state courts or agencies, and drafts and files court pleadings and applications for benefits
Supervises staff attorneys, fellows, supervising paralegals, senior paralegals, or other non-attorney staff as needed, including:
Onboarding, legal skills training, and case technical assistance, daily support, and coaching conducting regular check-ins and performance evaluations, reviews work products, case audits, and provides consistent and effective feedback and oversight to ensure high-quality legal work
Places cases with pro bono attorneys, and provides ongoing expert mentoring, training, and technical assistance in individual and group settings
Engages in outreach to foster and expand relationships with community stakeholders and pro bono partners including law firm and in-house corporate counsel; provides expert contribution and oversight in the development of guidance materials and samples
Contributes to overall office functioning, including actively participating in the field office and KIND-wide calls and meetings, field office and KIND-wide committees, and providing leadership in-office events
Oversees 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 coordination with KIND’s Training and Technical Assistance Team as well as the Senior Director for Pro Bono Partnerships, as needed, develops local training curriculum, including sample filings and guidance packets. Assists with development and conducting of local and national KIND training for both staff and external partners and stakeholders
In collaboration with Legal Programs Management, and in coordination with other organizational departments such as Development and Finance, assists in developing and implementing grant and contract-funded programming, including monitoring performance against grant and contract commitments
Collaborates with other KIND departments on specific projects and initiatives as needed, including KIND’s Policy, Advocacy, Communications, and Regional departments
Represents KIND at local stakeholder meetings, trainings, conferences, and events
Participates in and leads local and national KIND meetings, committees, retreats, and events
Provides leadership and oversight in ensuring overall field office functioning and developing KIND’s legal services program at large
Qualification
Required
J.D. and admitted to local state bar
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 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
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.
501-1000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$9MKey Investors
Eagle Bancorp
2023-10-12Debt Financing· $9M
Leadership Team
Madi Nassiri
Chief Technology Officer
Hayford Mensah, CPA,MBA,CGMA
Chief Operating Officer
Recent News
Crain's New York Business
2025-12-10
The Indian Express
2025-02-22
Company data provided by crunchbase