Managing Attorney, Children's Program

Description

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

• ensure that clients receive high-quality legal services while detained and after release to our local area, 
• provide direct legal services to unaccompanied immigrant children, 
• supervise and train staff attorneys and paralegals, 
• work with program leadership to ensure contractual and grant compliance, and 
• implement long-term plans for the program.

General Duties and Responsibilities [1]

Representation:

• Manage caseload of full legal representation of clients in removal proceedings before the local immigration courts, USCIS, and state courts in the following types of case: Asylum, Withholding of Removal, protection under the Convention against Torture, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, U-Visas, and T-Visas. 
• Provide expert mentoring to pro bono attorneys from area law firms handling children’s cases. 
• Provide supervision and training to attorneys on full representation and pro bono cases, including (i) case strategy, (ii) trial preparation, and (iii) caseload management. 
• Manage potential client follow-up after intake, including sponsor intake, assessment of legal relief and 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 the law. 

Organizational Services:

• Work with program leadership to set long-term program goals and ensure contractual compliance. 
• Support the team to ensure smooth operations of weekly visits to several local government detention centers. This includes ensuring that all children receive a Know Your Rights presentation and intake. 
• Assist other program staff in completion of their workload during high-work/low- bandwidth periods. 
• Work with other Amica Center programs to ensure cross-program information and strategy sharing. 
• Oversee the timely and accurate entry of case information into shared databases. 
• Participate in stakeholder relationship activities with community groups, government agencies, detention center staff, and other legal service providers. 
• Participate in internal Amica Center committees and working groups, including as a member of an organizational leadership team, to lend a voice to the growth and strategy of the organization. This list is illustrative and not intended to be a complete classification of all job functions or tasks. 

Requirements

Qualifications Required:

• JD and at least five (5) years of relevant experience in immigration law. 
• Experience working with child clients preferred. 
• Management and supervision experience. 
• Written and oral Spanish proficiency. 
• Must be licensed to practice law in Maryland or Virginia, eligible to waive into either bar, or willing to sit for the next scheduled bar exam. 
• The candidate is expected 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). 
• Favorable results on background check including driving record, Child Protective Registry, and state and federal criminal records, required. 
• Committed to principles of equity and inclusion. 
• Ability to work in a hybrid work environment and fulfill job responsibilities in-person as required. 

Competencies Required:

Legal Proficiency

The Managing Attorney utilizes their expertise in immigration law and procedures to provide high quality, innovative, client-centered, and culturally competent representation. The Managing Attorney stays abreast of developments in the law and ensures that their supervisees are trained in new legal developments. The Managing Attorney competently supervises direct reports and paralegals on legal strategy, research, writing, and client relationships. 

Client and Programmatic Proficiency

The Managing Attorney contributes to the effective management of the program's shelter, client, and in-office obligations to ensure that clients receive zealous representation, funding obligations are met, and that the program collaborates effectively within the organization and with peer groups. The employee proficiently manages their and their supervisees’ caseloads and skillfully supervises junior staff, ensuring that they perform job duties and are supported in their professional growth. 

Administrative

The Managing Attorney ensures that all administrative aspects of their and their supervisees’ work are carried out without managerial intervention, including timekeeping, file upkeep, database entries, etc. 

Salary:  $81,000-$88,000 -- higher salary may be offered to candidates with 4+ years of directly relevant experience.  

Position Type: Full time, exempt 

Reports To: Program Director 

Supervisory Responsibility: Managing Attorneys are expected to supervise attorneys and/or paralegals, dependent on need. 

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.