Staff Attorney - Detained

About KIND 

Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) is a global leader in the protection of unaccompanied and separated children who are forcibly displaced from their countries of origin. Launched in 2008, KIND champions a world in which every child’s rights and well-being are protected throughout their journey to safety. 

 Building on its extensive programming and successful model in the United States, KIND is expanding in the Americas and Europe to bring its experience to bear in working with unaccompanied and separated children. Our work focuses on addressing the legal and mental health needs of this population; building strong partnerships and engaging in training and capacity strengthening with governments, NGOs, and the private sector; and advocating for systemic and pragmatic reforms to advance the rights of unaccompanied and separated children.

Position Summary

KIND seeks a Staff Attorney to provide expert legal services to unaccompanied children facing removal proceedings through zealous direct representation as well as pro bono facilitation, including robust consultation, training, and technical assistance to pro bono attorneys who have accepted KIND cases. The Staff Attorney will report to the Supervising Attorney.

Essential Functions

• Review legal screenings conducted by paralegals to determine children's preliminary eligibility for immigration relief.
• Make "friend-of-the-court" appearances on the juvenile detained docket in Immigration Court on behalf of detained children. Enter representation in certain cases.
• Communicate regularly with shelter staff regarding the status of children in detention; advocate for alternative placements on behalf of children who are in danger of "aging out" of ORR care or seeking placement in long-term foster care facilities.
• As needed, represent a smaller docket of children in their applications for relief who do not have reunification options and must remain longer in detention.
• Once children are released locally from detention, provide zealous direct legal representation to children in their removal proceedings and in their applications for immigration relief. In certain cases, depending on experience, caseload, and organizational priorities, place those cases with pro bono attorneys and provide robust consultation and technical assistance to pro bono attorneys. The percentage of mentoring and direct representation caseloads will be determined by management in the Legal Programs component.
• Perform ordinary functions of legal counsel providing direct representation, including legal research and formulating the legal strategy for the case; conducting client interviews; appearing before immigration and/or state court or agencies, and drafting and filing court pleadings and applications for benefits.
• Place cases with pro bono attorneys and build relationships between KIND and the pro bono community.
• In coordination with KIND’s Training and Technical Assistance Team and the local field office Senior Attorney/s, as needed, help develop pro bono training resources and local training curriculum, including sample filings and guidance packets. With supervision, present training to pro bono attorneys and community groups.
• Ensure entry of timely, accurate, and detailed case data into KIND’s case management systems.
• Contribute to overall office functioning, including joining field office and KIND-wide calls and meetings, participating in the field office and KIND-wide committees, and assisting with office events.

Qualifications and Requirements

• J.D. and admitted to the local state bar (If not admitted to local state bar, must sit for bar exam or start waiver to be admitted within 6 months and be able to be admitted within one year of employment).
• Must be fluent in English; fluency in Spanish preferred but not required.
• Minimum 1-year experience practicing immigration law, which should include representation of clients in humanitarian immigration claims such as asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, U visas, and T visas.
• Minimum 1-year experience working with children, preferably immigrant and refugee children, or experience working with vulnerable populations, survivors of abuse, human trafficking, or other trauma.
• Strong record of cultural competence and cross-cultural communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and persuasively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to take initiative, multi-task, and work independently.
• Experience working with law firm attorneys and/or other legal volunteers preferred.
• Ability to work within an office environment and have regular interaction via telephone, videoconference, IM, and email with KIND's team.
• Regular/weekly travel to local immigration detention facility required.
• Ability to work effectively with people of diverse backgrounds, lived experiences, and communication styles.
• Committed to prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as embracing transparency and authenticity in daily work life.
• Be disciplined and nimble to ensure delivery on our core mission of access to justice and protection of children’s wellbeing and rights.
• Showing the ability to multi-task and work with a sense of urgency in a dynamic, fast paced environment.
• Committed to practicing and supporting wellbeing and a work-home life balance.
• Experience working and communicating in a remote environment.

$87,527.66 - $90,153.49 a year

Our Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with KIND paying 100% of the employee only portion of the premium for one of the two medical plan options, dental, and vision. 
• Pre-tax flexible spending account (FSA) for both medical and dependent care.  
• Pre-tax transit and parking spending account.  
• Employer-paid life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment insurance.  
• Employer-paid short and long-term disability insurance.  

For a complete list of benefits, please click here. 

 Our Focus on Wellness

KIND recognizes that our ability to help our clients starts with helping our team members. KIND has prioritized wellness for employees through Mindfulness and Wellness Trainings, Wellness Platforms, Employee Assistance and Resilience Programs, Time Away and Office Wellness Activities. 

For more information regarding our Wellness initiatives please visit this link.  

KIND requires all staff be COVID vaccinated with the exception of those who have medical or religious beliefs exemptions.