Background: Kids In Need of Defense (KIND) is an innovative partnership among the Microsoft Corporation, Angelina Jolie and other interested philanthropists, law firms and corporate supporters. KIND is dedicated to providing both pro bono representation and positive systemic changes in law and policy to benefit unaccompanied immigrant and refugee children. Launched in fall 2008, KIND is headquartered in Washington, D.C.
Overview: KIND seeks a Pro Bono Coordinator in Newark, New Jersey to help develop, maintain, and oversee the provision of pro bono legal representation to unaccompanied children through KIND's network of major law firms and corporate partners. This includes helping children to understand the immigration process and training volunteer attorneys to effectively represent individual child clients before immigration authorities.
The Pro Bono Coordinator will have the following responsibilities:
1) Interview and screen individual child clients and help them prepare for their immigration hearings;
2) Match child clients with pro bono attorneys;
3) Recruit, train, and provide hands-on mentorship to volunteer attorneys representing unaccompanied children in immigration matters;
4) Assist in developing and managing KIND relationships with law firms and corporate counsel; and
5) Administer office operations, including case management, data entry and maintenance, and reports.
Qualifications for the Ideal Candidate:
1) A licensed attorney, preferably in the state of New Jersey
2) At least one to three years' experience practicing immigration law, which should include preparing and representing immigrants and asylum seekers before immigration authorities, or substantially equivalent experience;
3) Experience working with children, preferably immigrant and refugee children, or experience working with survivors of abuse, human trafficking, or other trauma;
4) A strong record of cultural competence and cross-cultural communication skills;
5) Fluency in Spanish required and proficiency in other foreign languages a plus;
6) An understanding of the private law firm and corporate pro bono culture and the ability to be a well-respected and effective representative of the program to all stakeholders;
7) Ability to hit the ground working, multi-task, and work independently; and
8) Ability to work collaboratively.
