Senior Attorney, Children's Program

Who We Are

The Amica Center for Immigrant Rights fights for the rights, safety, and unity of immigrant communities, standing with those trapped in our nation’s fundamentally flawed immigration system. We engage in unwavering legal defense and strategic litigation for immigrant children and adults facing detention and deportation in the Capital Region and beyond, because everyone has the right to be free, safe, and supported. 

The Children’s Program provides legal orientation and screening to detained migrant children in the Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia region. We also offer free legal services to children released from Office of Refugee Resettlement custody to the greater capitol region. 

Our Work Environment

Amica Center’s Children’s Program is a highly collaborative work environment. We are committed to providing high-quality, trauma-informed legal and social services and a culture of professional growth and support for staff. Although aspects of our work are completed in smaller teams, we work towards integrated and client-focused services across the program by embracing interconnectivity. We strive to create systems that provide structure while fostering innovation and adaptability. Supervisors in our program share a commitment to teaching, mentorship, and work life balance. 

Position Summary

A Senior Attorney in the Children’s Program works collaboratively with staff and leadership to: 

• ensure clients receive high-quality, culturally competent legal services while detained and after release; 
• participate in, and assist with the coordination of, visits to detention centers for the purpose of conducting legal intakes and Know Your Rights (KYR) presentations to detained children, 
• provide direct legal services to unaccompanied immigrant children; 
• mentor pro bono attorneys providing legal services to unaccompanied immigrant children;
• supervise paralegals, interns, and staff attorneys (depending on experience level); and 
• promote a team culture of equity and inclusion. 

General Duties and Responsibilities [1]

Representation:

• Manage a caseload including representation of both detained and released clients. This includes representation before the local immigration courts, USCIS, and state courts in the following types of cases: Asylum, Withholding of Removal, protection under the Convention against Torture, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, U visas, and T visas.
• Participate in legal screenings and follow-up interviews to determine eligibility for legal relief and facilitation of case placement with in-house or pro bono attorneys. 
• Support the program’s efforts to remain abreast of new developments in the law and to train staff on immigration and relevant aspects of family law.
• Supervise paralegals, interns, and staff attorneys on aspects of case work. Supervision of other attorneys is dependent on experience. 
• Provide expert mentoring to pro bono attorneys from law firms handling children’s immigration cases.
• Undertake own administrative tasks, including casework (e.g., preparation and submission of filings, file maintenance, and recordkeeping), and social services referrals. 

Organizational Services:

• Assist program leadership with the implementation of long-term program plans and contract / grant compliance.
• Facilitate and/or participate in regular facility visits for the purpose of conducting legal intakes and KYR presentations for detained children.
• Ensure a smooth operation of administrative aspects of the program such as processing referrals and the internal case placement process.
• Ensure the timely and accurate entry of case information into shared databases.
• Assist other program staff in completion of their workload during high-work/low- bandwidth periods.
• Participate in stakeholder relationship activities, including training and meetings with community groups, government agencies, detention center staff, and other legal service providers.
• Engages with internal Amica Center committees and working groups to participate in the growth and strategy of the organization. 

[1] This list is illustrative and not intended to be a complete classification of all job functions or tasks. 

Qualifications Required:

• JD and at least three (3) years' relevant experience in immigration law (SIJS experience a plus). 
• Experience working with child clients preferred. 
• Prior supervision experience preferred but not required. 
• Written and oral Spanish fluency. 
• Must be licensed to practice law in Maryland or Virginia, eligible to waive into the Maryland or Virginia bar, or willing to sit for the next scheduled bar exam. 
• It is expected that the candidate will need to travel for work-related business. As a result, the candidate must possess a valid driver's license and be comfortable operating a vehicle upon hiring. This role requires travel, but qualified individuals with disabilities may be accommodated in a reasonable manner under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). 
• Commitment to principles of equity and inclusion. 
• Favorable results on background check including driving record, Child Protection Registry, and state and federal criminal records. 
• Ability to work in a hybrid work environment fulfill job responsibilities in-person as required. 

Competencies Required:

Legal Proficiency

The Senior Attorney demonstrates a solid understanding of legal concepts, allowing them to provide competent and client-centered services with limited supervision. The Senior Attorney effectively advocates through written and oral work with limited input from supervisors. The Senior Attorney has experience litigating and preparing for hearings or interviews for clients with limited supervision. The Senior Attorney competently supervises aspects of the work of staff attorneys, paralegals and interns on client relationships and legal strategy, research, and writing. The Senior Attorney demonstrates cultural competency and trauma-informed practices.

Client and Programmatic Proficiency

The Senior Attorney competently handles, and supervises, all required programmatic obligations (including KYRs, legal intakes, follow-up interviewing, case placements, direct representation services, and pro bono mentorship) with limited supervision. The Senior Attorney independently manages a full caseload of in-house and pro bono mentoring cases to allow for appropriate prioritization and thoughtful use of time and resources. The Senior Attorney supervises junior staff to ensure programmatic efficiency and efficacy. The Senior Attorney exercises sound judgment and decision-making skills and identifies when issues must be elevated to leadership. 

Administrative

The Senior Attorney ensures that all administrative aspects of their position, and that of their supervisees, are carried out without managerial intervention, including timekeeping, file maintenance, database entries, etc.

Salary:  $70,750 – $85,600 but a higher salary may be offered to candidates with 4+ years of directly relevant experience.  

Position Type: Full-time, exempt 

Reports To: Assigned Managing Attorney or Program Director 

Location and/or Travel Requirements: This position will be based at the Washington, D.C. or Baltimore, M.D. Office. Travel to the area when needed for hearings, jail visits, and programmatic meetings is required. 

Telework: Amica Center operates a hybrid work environment where staff are required to work at least one day per week in-office, but some roles require more office/on-site attendance or travel. 

Benefits: Amica Center offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, flexible spending account, life insurance and pre-tax commuter benefits for those living in the DMV. 

Paid Time Off: Amica Center provides personal, sick and volunteer time off, federal holidays, winter break closure and parental leave. 

EEO Statement: Amica Center for Immigrant Rights is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with anti-discrimination law, it is the purpose of this policy to effectuate these principles and mandates. Amica Center prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Amica Center conforms to the spirit as well as to the letter of all applicable laws and regulations. 

Our Anti-Racism Statement: To learn more about our anti-racism statement: https://amicacenter.org/becoming-anti-racist/

COVID-19 Vaccination: All employees are required to be fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19. To be fully vaccinated means having completed the full dosages required for the type of vaccine obtained as designated by the CDC. If boosters are subsequently recommended by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), then employees will be required to receive the booster within thirty (30) days of their eligibility to access the boosters. 

How to Apply: Submit your resume, cover letter and writing sample that explains your interest in this role with your Paylocity submission.