Staff Attorney, Kids In Need of Defense
Company: Immigratin Advocatres Network
Location: Santa Clara
Posted on: May 11, 2022
Job Description:
Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) is a global leader in the
protection of unaccompanied refugee and migrant children. Launched
in 2008, KIND champions a world in which every child's rights and
well-being are protected throughout their journey to safety. KIND
has accepted the referrals of over 20,000 children who require high
quality representation in their immigration proceedings by
welcoming 41,000 attendees at trainings for attorneys, other legal
staff, and community partners as well as cultivating partnerships
with over 600 law firms, corporate legal departments, law schools,
and bar associations across the country. To address the root causes
of child migration from Central America and strengthen protection
of unaccompanied children, KIND advocates for policy changes and
educates lawmakers, the media, and the broader public on the
conditions that drive these children to flee their home countries.
KIND supports children returning to their home countries by
connecting them to essential support services and sponsors
gender-based violence prevention programs in Central America to
protect children in countries of origin and transit. Position:
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. As needed, supervise Senior
Paralegals, Paralegals, interns, and/or other non-attorney staff.
Responsibilities:
- Based on caseloads and experience, funding streams, and
institutional priorities, perform hybrid mentoring and direct legal
representation functions, including providing robust consultation
and technical assistance to pro bono attorneys who have accepted a
KIND case as well as providing zealous legal advocacy to KIND's
clients in direct representation cases. Percentage of mentoring and
direct representation caseloads will be determined by management in
the Legal Services 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 trainings 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
field office and KIND-wide committees, and assisting with office
events; and,
- As needed, supervise Senior Paralegals, Paralegals, interns,
and/or other non-legal staff including: onboarding, skills
training, daily support and coaching, review and quality assurance
of filings, regular check-ins and performance evaluations, and
provision of consistent and effective supervision and oversight.
Qualifications:
- J.D. and admitted to local bar;
- 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.
- Advanced fluency in Spanish language required since majority of
caseload is working directly with clients
- 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 How to Apply:
To apply for this position, please provide a resume, cover letter,
writing sample, and formal application here .
Keywords: Immigratin Advocatres Network, Santa Clara , Staff Attorney, Kids In Need of Defense, Legal , Santa Clara, California
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