ProBAR - Sr Staff Attorney- Children's

ProBAR is an organization dedicated to empowering immigrants on the frontlines of immigration policies and detention. Senior Staff Attorneys for ProBAR’s Children’s Team lead and mentor passionate advocates who serve some of the highest numbers of detained unaccompanied children nationally. The team’s legal advocacy and representation are complemented by ProBAR’s holistic approach that integrates connections to services for children released from detention. 

Job Summary/ General Purpose of Job 

Provides legal services to detained unaccompanied children in immigration removal proceedings in the South Texas border region. Serves as mentor and leader to staff attorneys, legal interns, legal support staff and volunteers, including by maintaining current materials and trainings on legal services. This position will require regular involvement with individuals' living in difficult circumstances and who may have experienced trauma.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities (listed in order of importance and/or time spent) 

• Mentors Staff Attorneys by providing advice and direction on their cases. Assists in the training and mentoring of attorneys, legal support staff and other legal volunteers.  
• Champions a collaborative office culture by example and fosters opportunities for learning and teamwork.  
• Reviews legal screenings and assigns follow-up services, including additional interviewing of children, referrals to other legal services providers and advocates, and direct representation.
• Develops and maintains legal competency relating to immigration detention work, specifically as applied to unaccompanied children. Responds to project requests from ProBAR’s leadership by completing assigned duties, delegating, and ensuring the delivery of outcomes.  
• Observes ethical practices relating to client confidentiality and all other applicable legal ethics standards. Maintains case files, documentation and data integrity using division’s case management system. 
• Regularly appears in immigration court to represent children in removal proceedings and to act as Friend of Court for other detained youth as appropriate.  
• Represent clients in Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship (“SAPCR”), and dependency and guardianship matters before Texas county courts.
• Serves as a facilitator between detention facilities and ProBAR staff as needed. Builds and maintains relationships with local stakeholders. Serves as a facilitator among teams and groups within the legal department.  
• Participates in cross-functional team collaborations, demonstrating cultural awareness, and promoting a positive and respectful work atmosphere in a fast-paced and detailed-oriented environment. 
• Must be familiar with conducting virtual meetings, training, and observations on videoconferencing software such as Zoom, Teams, etc. 
• Performs other related duties as required. 

Required Education, Qualifications, Experience

• Possession of a Juris Doctorate from an ABA-accredited law school.  
• One or more years of experience representing clients, preferably in immigration matters. 
• Licensed to practice law in a U.S. state or territory. 
• Experience practicing in SAPCR, family, or guardianship cases in Texas state court.  
• Fluent in English and Spanish in both written and spoken forms.  
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office products. 
• Must be able to pick up on client verbal and non-verbal cues.  
• Must have reliable internet and phone connection. 
• Must have reliable transportation to travel to off-site work locations.  
• This position requires the ability to travel to and enter care provider facilities funded by the Office of Refugee Resettlement, Administration for Children and Families, United States Department of Health and Human Services which provide housing and services to unaccompanied children. This position will require the provision of legal services to unaccompanied children in such care provider facilities. In accordance with federal regulations, a background check is required for this position. 

Preferred Education, Qualifications, Experience 

• Licensed and in good standing to practice law by the State Bar of Texas or expressing a willingness to sit for or waive into the Texas Bar.  
• Two or more years of experience with at least one year in immigration matters and one year practicing in SAPCR, family, or guardianship cases in state court.  
• Prior work experience with children, particularly from Central America, including Mayan language-speaking populations.  
• Prior volunteer, community, or work experience regarding immigration, refugees, or detention.  
• Prior non-profit experience, particularly involving immigration detention. 

Physical Requirements 

Typical office setting with frequent visits at immigration detention facilities and immigration court. Continuously operates a computer and other office equipment, such as a telephone, copy machine, and computer printer.  

Travel  

During the ordinary course of business, this job will typically require travel of less than 15% of the time.