ProBAR - Senior Staff Attorney TX

The American Bar Association (ABA) was founded on a commitment to advance the rule of law in the United States and beyond by providing practical resources for legal professionals, conducting law school accreditation, developing model ethics codes and more. Today, the ABA remains a member-based organization that works to ensure access to justice for all, a fair legal process, and respect for the rule of law at home and across the globe.

The ABA is committed to service and refining the standards that guide the legal profession. ABA staff are provided multiple types of continuing education and career development opportunities. Your work will help eliminate bias, enhance diversity, and advance the rule of law throughout the US and around the world.

The ABA recognizes the value staff contribute to our success through a generous benefits package that protects their health and their financial security.  The ABA’s wide array of benefit offerings include 401(k), medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, health spending accounts, supplemental life and disability insurance, prepaid legal programs, and a complimentary membership to the American Bar Association, which offers additional benefits.

Flexible/hybrid work arrangements may be available for residents of CA, DC, IL, IN, IA, MD, MI, MN, TX, VA, and WI.  Residency requirements may apply. ABA employees are eligible to apply for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). 
 

An integral part of our team, Senior Staff Attorneys make a difference for immigrants who face significant obstacles to gaining access to counsel and representation for their removal proceedings. Senior Staff Attorneys also amplify their impact by providing advice and direction to pro bono attorneys, legal staff, and interns to develop legal strategies in a constantly changing landscape of immigration law and policy at the border. The team's legal advocacy and representation are complemented by ProBAR's holistic approach that integrates connections to services for people released from immigration detention.

The Organization

ProBAR empowers immigrants through high-quality legal information, representation, and connections to services. ProBAR serves immigrants in the Rio Grande Valley and Houston regions with a particular focus on the legal needs of adults and unaccompanied children in federal custody. Founded in 1989 as a project of the American Bar Association, ProBAR’s primary office is located in Harlingen, TX with a field office in Houston, TX. For more information about ProBAR, please visit our website: https://abaprobar.org/

Job Summary / General Purpose of Job

Accountable for providing legal services to detained immigrants in immigration removal proceedings, in the South Texas region border. Serves as mentor and leader to staff attorneys, legal support staff, legal interns, and volunteers, including by maintaining current materials and training on legal matters. This position will require regular involvement with individuals living in difficult circumstances and who may have experienced trauma.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities (listed in order of importance and/or time spent)

• Mentors Staff Attorneys providing advice and direction on their cases. Assists in the training and mentoring of pro bono attorneys, legal support staff and other legal volunteers.
• Develops and maintains legal competency relating to immigration detention work, specifically as applied to unaccompanied minors. Builds and maintains relations with local stakeholders. Observes ethical practices relating to client confidentiality and all other applicable legal ethics standards. Maintains case files, documentation and data integrity using division’s case management system.
• Regularly appears in immigration court. Represents clients seeking immigration relief such as asylum, T visas, U visas, cancellation of removal and other relief as appropriate.
• Provides group and individual legal orientations to detained immigrants in immigration removal proceedings.
• Provides legal services including, direct representation, to detained or locally released immigrants.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Required Education, Qualifications, Experience

• Possession of a Juris Doctorate or Master of Law (LLM) from an ABA-accredited law school and be in good standing, and one or more years’ experience in representing clients preferably on immigration matters.
• Licensed to practice law in a U.S. state or territory.
• Fluent in English and Spanish in written and spoken forms.
• Intermediate proficiency with Adobe and Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, OneDrive, teams) 
• Must be familiar with conducting virtual meetings, training, and observations on software such as Zoom, Teams, etc.
• Must be able to pick on client visual and verbal cues.
• Must have reliable internet and phone connection.
• Must have reliable transportation to travel between office and off-site work locations.
• This position requires the ability to travel to and enter care provider facilities funded by the Office of Refugee Resettlement, Administration for Children and Families, United States Department of Health and Human Services which provide housing and services to unaccompanied children. This position will require the provision of legal services to unaccompanied children in such care provider facilities. In accordance with federal regulations, a background check is required for this position. 

Preferred Education, Qualifications, Experience

• Licensed to practice law and member in the State Bar of Texas, and two years’ experience in representing clients on immigration matters.
• Prior work experience with clients, particularly from Central America and including indigenous language speaking populations.
• Prior volunteer, community, or work experience regarding immigration or detention.
• Prior non-profit experience, particularly involving immigration detention.

Physical Requirements

Typical office setting with frequent visits to immigration detention facilities and immigration court. Continuously operates a computer and other office machinery, such as telephone, copy machine, and computer printer.
 

Travel

As a normal course of business, this job will typically require travel of less than 15% of the time.

The Benefits and Incentives Offered

• Medical and prescription insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Voluntary life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Prepaid Legal Plan
• 401 (k)
• Paid company holidays
• Personal time off
• Vacation time off
• Self-Care time off
• PSLF participant
• Sign on bonus offered*
• Additional bonuses offered for continuous service at 2-year, 3-year, & 4-year service anniversaries. *
• Relocation Stipend offered for in state and out of state relocation*

*Restrictions apply. Availability is subject to grant funding and may periodically change.  

The Location

ProBAR’s primary location is in the Rio Grande Valley, a thriving region that boasts a rich culture, affordable cost of living, subtropical climate, and beautiful natural areas to enjoy. Recent growth has brought the RGV unprecedented investments in higher education and scientific research. Three local airports connect RGV residents to destinations around the country while Mexico is only a short drive away. The region’s delicious food, world-class nature parks, and the beaches of South Padre Island provide ample opportunities to relax and recharge!

Our Houston field office is in the Uptown District, that showcases the vibrant urban lifestyle in the heart of Houston. The Uptown District is home to The Galleria, Texas’ largest shopping center. In addition to being a pedestrian friendly city, you can get around with ease on the MetroRapid Silver Line.

The Application Process

Submit an online application including your cover letter and resume.

The Salary

The starting hiring range for this position is $79,730.00 - $95,516.00 based on relevant experience and education.