Managing Attorney, Children's Program

Description

Who We Are:

 The Amica Center for Immigrant Rights (formerly known as CAIR Coalition) is the only non-profit organization in the Washington, D.C. area that is exclusively focused on providing legal assistance to adult and child immigrants detained by the government in the Capital Region. 

Click here to learn more about our new name. 

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 (DUCs) 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 Detained 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 attorneys and legal assistants, 
• work with program leadership to ensure contractual compliance, and
• implement long-term plans for the program.

General Duties and Responsibilities:

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. 

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

Competencies Required:

Legal Proficiency

The Managing Attorney utilizes their expertise in immigration law and procedure 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. 

Qualifications Required:

• JD and at least three (3) years of relevant experience in immigration law.
• Experience working with child clients preferred.
• Management and supervision experience.
• Written and oral Spanish fluency. 
• 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.
• 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). 
• 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. 

Additional Role-Specific Details:

Position Type

Full-time, Exempt 

Reports To

Program Director(s) 

Supervisory Responsibility

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

Hiring Timeline

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. 

Salary [2]

$81,000-$91,450 but a higher salary may be offered to candidates with 4+ years of directly relevant experience. 

[2] In 2018, Amica Center implemented a compensation framework to be more straightforward, transparent, and provide assurance of internal equity. The compensation model we use is based on an individual's position and years of relevant work experience to avoid salary discrepancies and to reduce the risk of racial, gender, or other forms of bias affecting a candidate's salary. 

Location and/or Travel Requirements

This position will be based in the Washington, D.C. or Baltimore, M.D. Office. Due to business related travel expectations, it is recommended candidates live within 30-miles of their assigned primary office.

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. 

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. 

Benefits

• Amica Center’s benefits package includes:
• Free gym access located in Washington, D.C or Baltimore, MD (dependent on employee’s primary office) 
• Flexible working hours after successful completion of trainings and with approval of supervisor 
• Pre-tax commuter benefits for those living in the DMV 
• Subsidized health, dental insurance, and vision insurance (Amica Center pays a very high rate of the insurance package, for which we can provide additional information) 
• A work issued cell phone. 
• Life Insurance valued at $50,000, as well as long- and short-term disability 
• The option to set up a Flexible Spending Account 
• High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a one-time employer contribution of $350 to the Health Savings Account (HSA) 
• The option to set up a 403(b) savings account (the equivalent of a 401(k) account for non-profit organizations) with employer match, subject to annual Board approval, after one year of continuous employment 

Paid time off includes:

• 23 Personal Days per calendar year 
• Up to 20 days of Sick Time per calendar year 
• 7 hours of Volunteer Time Off per calendar year 
• Federal holidays 
• Paid winter break closure around the end of each year 
• 12 weeks of parental leave

At Amica Center, we embrace the fact that talented individuals come from diverse backgrounds and life experiences. We believe that diversity in all dimensions of the organization supports and bolsters the innovative thinking essential to our success. Amica Center values your unique perspectives, skills, and potential, and we are committed to providing equal opportunities for growth and development. If you are passionate about Amica Center's mission and are excited to contribute your talents to our team, we encourage you to submit your application. Candidates from traditionally underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply. If you are a candidate with a disability and require accommodations to apply for this position, please contact us at [email protected].

EEO Statement

Amica Center for Immigrants’ Rights is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with anti-discrimination law, this policy's purpose is 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:

https://amicacenter.org/becoming-anti-racist/ 

How to Apply:

Submit your resume, a cover letter that explains your interest in this role, and a writing sample with your Paylocity application.

Requirements

Competencies Required:

Legal Proficiency

The Managing Attorney utilizes their expertise in immigration law and procedure 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. 

Qualifications Required:

• JD and at least three (3) years of relevant experience in immigration law.
• Experience working with child clients preferred.
• Management and supervision experience.
• Written and oral Spanish fluency. 
• 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.
• 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). 
• 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.