Staff Attorney, Immigration Impact Lab

Who We Are

The Capital Area Immigrants' Rights (CAIR) Coalition is now Amica Center for Immigrant Rights (“Amica Center” for short. Click here to learn more about our new name. Since our founding in 1999, we have grown significantly and added new services to support immigrants in detention. Recently, Amica Center has outgrown our name, expanding beyond our initial services and geographic boundaries.

“Amica” is the Latin word for “friend,” and that echoes the way we approach what we do. Just as friends stand with one another, Amica Center stands with our clients to achieve the safety, stability, and opportunity we all deserve.

We are the only non-profit organization in the Washington, D.C. area that is exclusively focused on providing legal assistance to adult and child immigrants detained by the government in the Capital Region and beyond.

Our Work Environment

We have 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 organization by embracing interconnectivity. We strive to create efficient systems that provide structure while actively fostering innovation and adaptability to advance our mission.

The Immigration Impact Lab (“the Lab”) is Amica Center's impact litigation shop. The Lab responds to the failings of the immigration system by strategically appealing cases, developing impact litigation, and launching advocacy efforts that have the potential to transform the system and establish new legal precedents for immigrants nationwide.

Position Summary

We are seeking a Staff Attorney to help expand the Lab's detention-related district court litigation, with a focus on habeas petitions challenging prolonged immigration detention among other matters. The Staff Attorney will be responsible for representing individuals in district court actions and mentoring external pro bono attorneys and non-profit attorneys in district court litigation. Their representation and mentoring efforts will contribute to building the Lab's Southeast Immigration Habeas Project, a new project focused on district court representation challenging immigration detention person by person in one of the most hostile and underserved regions in the country for immigrants.

A Staff Attorney in the Immigration Impact Lab works with the team to meet the Lab's goals, including (i) conducting legal research, case development, and written pleadings involving a host of issues that touch on novel immigration claims; (ii) the provision of direct legal services to immigrants through litigation in the district courts, and (iii) working with pro bono attorneys through co-counseling, mentoring, and trainings.

General Duties and Responsibilities [1]

Litigating Detention-Related District Court cases (Approximately 80%):

• Litigate strategic cases in district court, primarily habeas petitions, on behalf of detained immigrants nationwide, with a focus on people detained in Georgia and the Southeast as well as Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Guantanamo. Cases may also involve challenges to the use of the Alien Enemies Act and other emerging detention challenges.
• Identify potential cases and maintain relationships with referral channels, which will require close coordination with stakeholders, including immigration non-profits, law school clinics, and private immigration attorneys serving these areas.
• Mentor pro bono attorneys on detention-related district court litigation, with a focus on habeas petitions. This will include providing feedback and guidance on legal strategy and helping attorneys prepare for federal court arguments.
• Develop and refine training programs and materials for the Lab team and external pro bono and non-profit attorneys on detention-related district court litigation. This may involve conducting training sessions, creating template briefings and educational materials, updating existing materials, and identifying opportunities for continuous learning.

Helping to Build the Southeast Immigration Habeas Project (approximately 15%):

• Collaborate with the Lab Program Director, Deputy Program Director, Managing Attorney, and Development/Communications team to raise awareness about the Southeast Immigration Habeas Project and its potential impact on the region with stakeholders, media, and funders.
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with key stakeholders and partner organizations for the Project, including immigration attorneys, advocacy groups, and community organizations to build case referral, co-counseling, and post-release coordination opportunities, leverage limited resources, and amplify the Project's impact.

Organizational Services (approximately 5%):

• Participate in Amica Center stakeholder relation activities, such as in-person and virtual meetings and convenings with community groups, governmental bodies and representatives, and other legal service providers, including with organizations located in the Southeast.
• Coordinate across teams (particularly with the Detained Adult Program (DAP)) on case strategy and to ensure Programs are kept abreast of developments in detention-related litigation efforts and the Southeast Immigration Habeas Project.

[1] This list is illustrative and not intended to be a complete classification of all job functions or tasks.

Additional Role-Specific Details:

Position Type

Exempt, Full-Time

Reports To

Managing Attorney

Supervisory Responsibility

This role is not expected to involve supervision in at least the first year but may evolve to include supervision over time, depending on programmatic changes.

Hiring Timeline

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Salary [2]

The salary range for this position is $61,500-$78,000, depending on experience

[2] 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 is remote-friendly. While we welcome all eligible applicants, we have a strong preference for candidates based in or near Washington, DC, Georgia, or Louisiana.

Travel

For court hearings and important stakeholder meetings, occasional travel to Georgia and other states is expected.

Telework

Amica Center operates a hybrid work environment where DC/Maryland/Virginia staff are required to work at least one day per week in-office, but some roles require more office/on-site attendance or travel. We may consider a fully-remote work schedule for the right candidate (must be based in the Southeastern United States/state of Georgia and have access to reliable transportation for required 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.

Benefits

Amica Center's benefits package includes:

• Free gym access located in Washington, D.C (dependent on employee's primary office)
• Flexible working hours after successful completion of trainings and with approval of supervisor
• Pre-tax commuter benefits for those living in the DMV
• 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)
• Life Insurance valued at $50,000, as well as long- and short-term disability
• The option to set up a Flexible Spending Account
• High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a one-time employer contribution of $350 to the Health Savings Account (HSA)
• The option to set up a 403(b) savings account (the equivalent of a 401(k) account for non-profit organizations) 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:

• 23 Personal Days per calendar year
• Up to 20 days of Sick Time per calendar year
• 7 hours of Volunteer Time Off per calendar year
• Federal holidays
• Paid winter break closure around the end of each year
• 12 weeks of parental leave

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 peopleoperations@amicacenter.org.

EEO Statement

Amica Center for Immigrants' Rights is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with anti-discrimination law, this policy's purpose is to effectuate these principles and mandates. Amica Center prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Amica Center conforms to the spirit as well as to the letter of all applicable laws and regulations.

Our Anti-Racism Statement:

https://amicacenter.org/becoming-anti-racist/

How to Apply:

Submit your resume, a cover letter that explains your interest in this role, and a writing sample with your Paylocity application. Please refrain from sending application materials separately via email.

Competencies Required:

Legal Expertise

The Staff Attorney demonstrates a developing understanding of legal concepts at a level that allows them to provide services to clients with moderate supervision. The Staff Attorney clearly and skillfully employs the law in written and oral presentations with limited supervision and input from supervisors. The Staff Attorney contributes substantively to case assessment discussion. The Staff Attorney is working towards self-sufficiency in client hearings, interviews, and legal research and writing.

Qualifications Required:

• JD.
• Basic experience in district court litigation, including relevant skills such as navigating rules of civil procedure and local rules, hearings, and negotiations with opposing counsel.
• At least 2 years of experience in immigration law.
• Demonstrated exceptional skills in building and maintaining relationships with external stakeholders, including coalition partners, government agencies, and community organizations.
• Strong ability to implement new initiatives.
• Exceptional organizational and time management skills, enabling them to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and maintain a high level of productivity.
• Strong legal research, writing, and analysis skills, enabling them to effectively present legal arguments, draft legal documents, and analyze complex legal issues.

Competencies Strongly Preferred:

• A solid understanding of the laws governing immigration detention and a basic understanding of habeas petitions challenging immigration detention. The ability to analyze complex legal precedent, develop innovative arguments, and provide sound legal advice to clients and team members.
• Qualifications Strongly Preferred:
• Active license to practice law.
• Admission to the Georgia bar.
• Considerable experience in district court litigation including immigration habeas petitions.

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