Senior Staff Attorney, Special Projects (Temporary)
Human Rights First See More Job Openings by This Employer
Job Description
Purpose of the Job:
JOB DESCRIPTION
| Job Title: | Temporary Senior Staff Attorney, Special Projects | Reporting Office: | Washington, DC, New York, or Los Angeles, or Remote |
| Department: | Refugee Representation | Job Classification: | Fulltime; Exempt |
| Supervisor: | Managing Attorney, Special Projects | Union Classification: | Non-Union |
| Accountable To: | Managing Attorney, Special Projects | Last Updated: | 2/20/2025 |
| Expected Start Date: | 7/7/2025 | Expected End Date: | 12/19/2025 |
The temporary senior staff attorney will collaborate with the managing attorney to effectively administer Human Rights First’s pro bono asylum legal representation work through Project: Afghan Legal Assistance (PALA).
The PALA Special Projects team within Human Rights First coordinates, with partner organizations, the legal representation efforts for Afghan refugee arrivals. We help connect individual asylum seekers with pro bono attorneys around the country. Human Rights First provides limited scope and pro se assistance to Afghans through our legal clinics, and we accept a smaller number of Afghan asylum seekers into our program for full scope direct representation or placement with our pro bono partners.
The temporary senior staff attorney will assist the managing attorney with creating, running, and conducting follow-up for pro se clinics to serve Human Rights First clients with virtual and in-person application preparation for pro se asylum, adjustment of status, work permits, among other legal representation needs. The temporary senior staff attorney will also assist in administering Human Rights First’s pro bono asylum legal representation work. They will mentor law firm attorneys providing representation in asylum cases in removal proceedings (detained and non-detained) and affirmative cases. In addition, they will engage in a limited number of direct representation asylum (both affirmative and in removal proceedings), adjustment of status, and family reunification cases.
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
Case Selection, Placement and Management
- Conduct legal screenings and intake interviews with asylum seekers;
- Assist in identifying cases appropriate to either place with volunteer pro bono attorneys or Human Rights First staff for direct representation;
- Ensure that whether Human Rights First provides in-depth mentoring on cases placed with volunteer pro bono teams or direct representation internally, all clients and volunteers with whom we partner receive high-quality legal representation and guidance;
- Provide pro bono attorneys with prompt and thorough legal and procedural support on our Afghan pro bono cases, including conducting trainings, strategizing on individual cases, reviewing draft submissions, and informing volunteers of significant legal developments in asylum, SIV, or other immigration laws impacting the Afghan population in the U.S.;
- Build and maintain strong relationships with law firms and volunteer attorneys and create training and advertising materials for pro bono counsel, as needed;
- Identify and conduct outreach to new pro bono partners through various traditional and technological platforms, and promote attorney interest in pro bono representation of special projects clients;
- Identify, analyze, and respond to legal or procedural changes that affect asylum seekers, including statutory changes, proposed regulations, and decisions of the Board of Immigration Appeals or federal courts;
- Contribute to and lead efforts to develop training materials for volunteer attorneys, including the online Pro Bono Attorney Library, and other manuals, memoranda, videos, or other training media; and
- Assist in conducting client outreach, supporting in-person and virtual client information sessions, and maintaining other forms of regular communication with special projects client population.
Mentorship
- Provide legal advice, mentorship, and guidance to Special Projects team staff, and work with the entire Refugee Representation team to ensure inter-office support and team collaboration;
- Assist in recruiting and supervising law school and undergraduate interns;
- Manage the special projects pro bono list of attorneys and volunteers, lead in placing cases with volunteer attorneys, and maintain list of cases with continuing representation needs; and
- Assist in efforts to secure and maintain funding for the organization and Refugee Representation activities, including tracking and reporting data relevant to funding.
Pro Se Clinics Management
- Identify clients for Human Rights First virtual/in-person pro se clinics and oversee relevant client outreach and document collection to ensure eligibility;
- Recruit pro bono attorneys and interpreters for pro se clinic participation, establish and foster new relationships with legal and community partners, and engage in public outreach, where necessary;
- Create templates, training materials, Q&A materials, and other relevant educational resources for pro bono partners;
- Create follow-up materials for clients to answer questions and provide clear guidance on next steps;
- Oversee execution of virtual and in-person pro se clinics, conduct volunteer trainings, answer questions, troubleshoot, and travel to physical pro se clinic sites, where necessary;
- Conduct all necessary follow-up communications to ensure accurate data collection and feedback;
- Manage staff, interns and volunteers assisting with pro se clinics, assign responsibilities and provide regular feedback to their work;
Advocacy
- Lead efforts within the legal coalition of legal service providers serving Afghan nationals in the U.S. for advocacy and coordination, such as organizing coalition calls and attending various stakeholder meetings;
- Strategize and collaborate with other local service providers on how to best meet the needs of the immigrant population and improve access to legal representation;
- Assist in furthering local and national advocacy initiatives by meeting with officials at government agencies, and engaging in other advocacy efforts in collaboration with the Refugee Protection team;
- Promote Human Rights First’s mission by participating in local community events, promotional events, immigration-related conferences or events, and other professional networking events that will increase the organization’s profile in the community; and
- Other duties as requested based on the team and/or organization’s need.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Competencies (DEIA)
Human Rights First acknowledges the existence of systemic and structural biases and believes it is necessary to be strategic and intentional in pursuing diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in all aspects of governance, operations, and programming. As an employee, you are expected to:
- Support adoption of best practices to create a more diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible work experience for colleagues and external partners.
- Strive to consider the people, places, and cultures that might be missing from your work and look for opportunities to increase inclusivity in all the work you do.
- Support the mission of Human Rights First in all interactions with colleagues and stakeholders. Dedicate efforts to enrich DEIA consciousness throughout our office-wide interactions.
- Foster a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility by promoting adherence to the standards delineated in the Culture of Respect and Teamwork statement in the Employee Handbook.
Required Knowledge, Skill and Experience:
- A U.S. law degree (J.D.) and admission to any state bar or the District of Columbia;
- At least five years of relevant experience, including several years of direct representation of asylum seekers at all levels of the administrative process, with preference for immigration court experience;
- Experience representing Afghan OAW/OAR humanitarian parolees, Special Immigrant Visa applicants, and Afghan refugee populations;
- Experience working with volunteer lawyers and in mentoring other attorneys, especially on immigration law matters;
- Fluency in a second language, preferably Dari/Farsi or Pashto, is a plus;
- Ability to manage numerous tasks simultaneously, work under pressure and meet deadlines, and to identify and analyze legal issues;
- Deep knowledge of U.S. immigration law and policy;
- Ability to communicate patiently, respectfully, and empathetically with individuals from a variety of backgrounds as well as survivors of trauma or torture;
- Strong interpersonal and written/oral communication skills;
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively, particularly in a collegial, team-based approach to work;
- Adaptability to embrace and navigate new, dynamic projects, and an ability to recognize and maximize opportunities on behalf of the organization;
- Demonstrated ability to work successfully across organization lines, to work comfortably in a variety of settings, including legal, academic, and advocacy, and to work confidently with government officials and the media;
- Ability to travel regionally by car or public transportation when possible and ability to travel to other office areas or locations where Human Rights First serves clients, when necessary (travel costs reimbursed); and
- Good judgment and proven ability to provide leadership and support to fellow team members.
Human Rights First is committed to equal employment opportunity and recruiting talent from across all diverse groups. We do not discriminate against any person because of the individual’s race, color, creed, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, affection preference, gender identity, marital status, national origin, citizenship status, disability, status as a war veteran, status as a victim of domestic violence, or on any other basis prohibited by law. Minorities are strongly encouraged to apply.
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