Senior Attorney, Children’s Program

The Amica Center for Immigrant Rights is the only non-profit organization in the Washington, DC area that is exclusively focused on providing legal assistance to adult and child immigrants detained by the government in the Capital Region.

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

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.

A Senior Attorney in the Detained 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 legal assistants, interns, and staff attorneys (depending on experience level); and promote a team culture of equity and inclusion. 

Representation:

1. 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.  
2. 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 
3. 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.  
4. Supervise legal assistants, interns, and staff attorneys on aspects of case work. Supervision of other attorneys is dependent on experience. 
5. Provide expert mentoring to pro bono attorneys from law firms handling children’s immigration cases.  
6. Undertake own administrative tasks, including casework (e.g., preparation and submission of filings, file maintenance, and recordkeeping), and social services referrals. 

Organizational Services:

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

Position Type
Full-time, Exempt

Reports To
Assigned Managing Attorney or Program Director 

Hiring Timeline
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Salary
$67,800 – $76,850 but a higher salary may be offered to candidates with 4+ years of directly relevant experience. 

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 at 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. Most 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.

Amica Center’s benefits package includes:

1. Free gym access located in Washington, D.C or Baltimore, MD (dependent on employee’s primary office)
2. Flexible working hours after successful completion of trainings and with approval of supervisor
3. Pre-tax commuter benefits for those living in the DMV
4. 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)
5. An annual data reimbursement of $300
6. Life insurance valued at $50,000, as well as long and short term disability
7. The option to set up a Flexible Spending Account
8. High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a one-time employer contribution of $350 to the Health Savings Account (HSA)
9. The option to set up a 403(b) account (the equivalent of a 401(k) account for non-profits) which the organization has the option, for all employees on an annual basis, to match at a certain percentage after one year of continuous employment

Paid time off includes:

1. 23 personal days per calendar year
2. Up to 20 days of sick time per calendar year
3. 7 hours of volunteer time off
4. Federal holidays
5. Winter break closure
6. 12 weeks of parental leave

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, legal assistants 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 satisfactorily handles all programmatic obligations (including KYRs, legal intakes, follow-up interviewing, case placement, direct representation services, and pro bono mentorship) with limited supervision. The Senior Attorney manages their in-house and pro bono mentoring caseload 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.  

1. JD and at least three (3) years’ relevant experience in immigration law (SIJS experience a plus). 
2. Experience working with child clients preferred. 
3. Prior supervision experience preferred but not required. 
4. Written and oral Spanish fluency. 
5. 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. 
6. 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). 
7. Commitment to principles of equity and inclusion. 
8. Favorable results on background check including driving record, Child Protection Registry, and state and federal criminal records. 
9. Ability to work remotely temporarily but fulfill job responsibilities in-person as required. 

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 HR@amicacenter.org.