Staff Attorney - Direct Legal Services

Position Description:

The Human Trafficking Legal Center is seeking a Staff Attorney to support the organization’s immigration and direct legal services portfolio. The direct legal services program represents foreign national survivors of trafficking in their immigration cases before the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and provides technical assistance on human trafficking-related legal matters. The Staff Attorney will work with the Senior Staff Attorney for Direct Legal Services on (1) trauma-informed legal representation to survivors seeking immigration relief and criminal victim-witness advocacy; (2) development of partnerships to build a robust referral network for human trafficking survivors; (3) provision of expert technical assistance to partner organizations and pro bono counsel working with survivors on trafficking related legal matters; (4) advocacy on immigration and related issues with coalitions and key stakeholders. The Staff Attorney is expected to work in the office at least two days each week.

The Mission:

The Human Trafficking Legal Center is a bridge to justice for trafficking survivors. The Human Trafficking Legal Center connects trafficking survivors with pro bono legal representation so they can seek justice and thrive. We demand accountability from traffickers, from governments, and from corporations.

Responsibilities:

• Support direct legal services to clients in affirmative immigration petitions before USCIS, including T-visas, Continued Presence, deferred action, adjustment of status, work authorizations and naturalization.
• Support survivors of trafficking in law enforcement reporting and investigations.
• Expand and maintain partnerships to build a robust referral network for social and legal services for trafficking survivors.
• Collaborate with case managers at local partner social service agencies to provide wraparound services to the Human Trafficking Legal Center’s clients.
• Support training and technical assistance to pro bono counsel, including counsel representing the Human Trafficking Legal Center’s clients in defensive or other immigration proceedings.
• Provide referrals for related matters (e.g., housing, employment, and family law) to trafficking survivors.
• Participate in coalitions, networks, and working groups to advocate on immigration policy issues for trafficking survivors.
• Draft and submit public comments on key policy issues impacting trafficking survivors.
• Advocate for trafficking survivors’ rights and systemic policy change before Congress
• and the executive branch.

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school with a strong academic record;
• Admission to a U.S. state bar, in good standing (must be a member or eligible for membership in the D.C. Bar);
• 3-4 years of legal experience involving immigration work;
• Excellent legal research and writing skills;
• Experience with immigration law and T visa filings;
• Experience in providing trauma-informed legal services;
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills;
• Ability to work collaboratively with partner organizations, NGOs, pro bono law firms, agency officials and staff, legislators, attorneys, and advocates;
• Excellent organizational, time management, and communication skills;
• Attention to detail;
• Ability to work as part of a team;
• Ability to work well while managing multiple tasks simultaneously;
• Ability to think strategically and creatively;
• Ability to work independently and take initiative;
• Ability and willingness to collaborate across teams and cultures;
• A sense of humor.

Preferred but not required qualifications:

• Experience in human trafficking work preferred, but not required;
• Experience working with or representing vulnerable populations;
• Fluency in a second language, preferably Spanish.

This is a full-time, salaried position. The Human Trafficking Legal Center supports the professional development and growth of each staff member and has a generous leave policy. Regular hours are 9:00 to 5:00 Monday through Friday. Benefits include three weeks of paid vacation each year, one floating holiday per calendar year, your birthday as a holiday, and five days of sick leave per year. We offer up to twelve weeks of parental leave through the D.C. Paid Family Leave Program. We observe all federal holidays as paid days off, including the Friday after Thanksgiving. The Human Trafficking Legal Center office is closed for a mental health week one week in August each year. The office is also closed between Christmas and New Year; these weeks are considered paid time off. The Human Trafficking Legal Center makes an annual contribution equal to 2% of each employee’s annual earnings to an Ascensus Trust SIMPLE IRA. Employees may also make voluntary contributions to this account each month from pre-tax earnings. The Human Trafficking Legal Center provides 100%-employer-paid medical, dental, and vision care insurance for employees. Employees have the option to pay for coverage of dependents through salary deductions.