ProBAR Legal Services - Senior Staff Attorney TX-CA

The Organization

ProBAR empowers immigrants through high-quality legal information, representation, and connections to services. ProBAR serves immigrants in the Rio Grande Valley and Houston regions with a particular focus on the legal needs of adults and unaccompanied children in federal custody. Founded in 1989 as a project of the American Bar Association, ProBAR’s primary office is located in Harlingen, TX with a field office in Houston, TX. For more information about ProBAR, please visit our website: https://abaprobar.org/

Job Summary/General Purpose of Job

Works with colleagues to represent adults detained in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centers located in the Rio Grande Valley. Legal services are focused on direct representation of individuals in immigration removal proceedings in courts adjudicating cases of detained people in South Texas, including but not limited to Port Isabel and Greenspoint immigration courts. Ability to represent individuals in the Southern District of Texas federal courts as needed. Serves as mentor and leader to staff attorneys, legal interns/fellows, legal support staff, pro bono attorneys and volunteers, including maintaining current materials and training on trends in legal services. This position will require regular involvement with individuals living in difficult circumstances, who may have been victims of crime and experienced trauma including family separation.

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

• In collaboration with colleagues, identifies potential clients subject to ICE detention through the team’s screening and intake process. Represents individuals in their full removal cases to seek relief before immigration courts. Mentors staff attorneys and accredited representatives providing advice and direction on their cases. Assists in the training and mentoring of pro bono attorneys, legal support staff and other legal volunteers.
• Develops and maintains legal competency relating to immigration work, specifically as applied to removal defense. Builds and maintains relations with local stakeholders. Maintains case files, documentation, and data integrity using the division’s case management system.
• Frequent virtual and in-person consultation and visitation with service seekers and clients who are detained.
• Regularly appears in USCIS and immigration court to represent clients. Ability to appear remotely and in person in both Harlingen and Houston immigration courts. May also appear in federal court as related to an immigration case.
• Serves as a facilitator between the stakeholders and the legal team. May oversee the work of junior legal staff, volunteers, and interns.
• Reviews legal screenings and assigns follow-up services, including additional interviewing, referrals to other legal services providers and advocates, or in-house representation.
• Documents and advises peers and pro bono attorneys on the trends in immigration court, federal court and the detention centers.
• Performs other related duties as required.

• Medical and prescription insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Voluntary life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Prepaid Legal Plan
• 401 (k)
• Paid company holidays
• Personal time off
• Vacation time off
• PSLF participant

Written and spoken fluency in Spanish may be required based upon the location and client base served.