Staff Attorney - Detained - New York City

Kids in Need of Defense (KIND)

3mo ago

Job
Full-time
Junior Level
Legal
$70K - $87.5K
New York
Quick Apply

AI generated summary

You need a J.D., state bar admission, 1+ year immigration law experience, fluency in English/Spanish, child advocacy experience, and cultural competence. Must travel to detention facility and work collaboratively in a fast-paced, diverse environment.
You will oversee legal screenings for detained children, appear in court on their behalf, provide direct representation, mentor pro bono attorneys, and ensure accurate case data entry.

Requirements

J.D. and admitted to the local state bar.
Fluent in English and Spanish.
Minimum of 1 year experience practicing immigration law, which should include representation of clients in humanitarian immigration claims such as asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, U visas, and T visas.
Minimum of 1 year experience working with children, preferably immigrant and refugee children, or experience working with vulnerable populations, survivors of abuse, human trafficking, or other trauma.
Experience working with law firm attorneys and/or other legal volunteers preferred.
Regular/weekly travel to local immigration detention facility required.
Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Spanish.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suites (such as Teams, Excel, etc.).
Ability to work collaboratively and multi-task in our KIND environment, managing numerous priorities and emerging opportunities.
Excellent organizational skills with ability to work on multiple projects in a deadline-oriented environment. Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate as appropriate.
Strong record of cultural competence and cross-cultural communication skills.
Ability to work effectively with people of diverse backgrounds, lived experiences, and communication styles.
Committed to prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as embracing transparency and authenticity in daily work life.
Be disciplined and nimble to ensure delivery on our core mission of access to justice and protection of children’s wellbeing and rights.
Showing the ability to multi-task and work with a sense of urgency in a dynamic, fast paced environment.
Committed to practicing and supporting wellbeing and a work-home life balance.
Experience working and communicating in a remote environment.

Responsibilities

Oversees paralegals ensuring the provision of high-quality intakes and legal orientations for unaccompanied children residing in immigration detention facilities; reviews legal screenings conducted by paralegals to determine children's preliminary eligibility for immigration relief.
Makes "friend-of-the-court" appearances on the juvenile detained docket in Immigration Court on behalf of detained children; enters representation in certain cases.
Communicates regularly with shelter staff regarding the status of children in detention; advocates for alternative placements on behalf of children who are in danger of "aging out" of ORR care or seeking placement in long-term foster care facilities.
As needed, represents a smaller docket of children in their applications for relief who do not have reunification options and must remain longer in detention.
Once children are released locally from detention, provides zealous direct legal representation to children in their removal proceedings and in their applications for immigration relief. In certain cases, depending on experience, caseload, and organizational priorities, places those cases with pro bono attorneys and provide robust consultation and technical assistance to pro bono attorneys. The percentage of mentoring and direct representation caseloads will be determined by management in the Legal Programs component.
Performs ordinary functions of legal counsel providing direct representation, including legal research, and formulating the legal strategy for the case; conducts client interviews; appears before immigration and/or state court or agencies, and drafts and files court pleadings and applications for benefits.
Places cases with pro bono attorneys and builds relationships between KIND and the pro bono community.
In coordination with KIND’s Training and Technical Assistance Team and the local field office Senior Attorney/s, as needed, helps develop pro bono training resources and local training curriculum, including sample filings and guidance packets. With supervision, presents training to pro bono attorneys and community groups.
Ensures entry of timely, accurate, and detailed case data into KIND’s case management systems.
Contributes to overall office functioning, including joining field office and KIND-wide calls and meetings, participating in the field office and KIND-wide committees, and assisting with office events.
As needed, supervises Senior Paralegals, Paralegals, interns, and/or other non-legal staff including onboarding, skills training, daily support and coaching, review and quality assurance of filings, regular check-ins, and performance evaluations, and provision of consistent and effective supervision and oversight.

FAQs

What are the minimum qualifications for the Staff Attorney - Detained position in New York City?

The minimum qualifications for this position include a J.D. and admission to the local state bar, fluency in English and Spanish, at least 1 year of experience practicing immigration law with a focus on humanitarian immigration claims, at least 1 year of experience working with children or vulnerable populations, and regular travel to a local immigration detention facility.

Kids in Need of Defense (KIND)

We protect unaccompanied children every step of the way in their search for safety and protection.

Non-profit

Industry

51-200

Employees

2008

Founded Year

Mission & Purpose

Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) is the preeminent international nongovernmental organization devoted to the protection of unaccompanied and separated children. KIND envisions a world in which every unaccompanied child on the move has access to legal representation and has their rights and well-being protected as they migrate alone in search of safety. In 2008, KIND was founded by the Microsoft Corporation and Co-Founder and Patron Angelina Jolie to address the gap in legal services for unaccompanied children. KIND now has offices and staff across the United States, Mexico, and Europe. Our team, and KIND’s extensive network of private sector pro bono and NGO partners provide unaccompanied children with innovative holistic care that includes legal representation and assistance and psychosocial support.