Staff Attorney Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Description

Who We Are

The Amica Center for Immigrant Rights fights for the rights, safety, and unity of immigrant communities, standing with those trapped in our nation's fundamentally flawed immigration system. We engage in unwavering legal defense and strategic litigation for immigrant children and adults facing detention and deportation in the Capital Region and beyond, because everyone has the right to be free, safe, and supported.

Our Work Environment

The Detained Adult Program (DAP) works with hundreds of adults who are detained by ICE each year, providing information, support, and legal representation. We provide trauma-sensitive, person-centered services, and deeply value the autonomy of the people we work with in detention as they navigate the fundamentally inhumane immigration system. 

Amica Center's Detained Adult Program is a highly collaborative work environment. Each team lead works directly with a focused team, but all colleagues are interconnected through, for example, case workshops or staff-run committees. 

DAP staff is a source of expertise in the highly complex and ever-changing immigration system. They have persisted through administration changes, policy shifts, and attacks on the rights and freedoms of immigrants through project-focused cohorts that arise to address challenges or to brainstorm and implement affirmative strategies. 

Position Summary

A Staff Attorney in the Detained Adult Program focuses on: (i) screening individuals for program eligibility and immigration relief, (ii) managing a caseload of direct legal services to immigrant adults held in facilities in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and elsewhere outside the DMV region, (iii) maintaining client and stakeholder information up to date in the organization's database, (iv) advocating with stakeholders and community representatives for program and clients, and (v) the mentoring of pro bono attorneys. This project provides legal representation to detained immigrants regardless of their criminal history and immigration procedural postures. 

General Duties and Responsibilities [1]

Representation:

• Manage a caseload of in-house direct legal representation of detained clients in removal proceedings mainly before the Annandale, Baltimore, Elizabeth and Sterling Immigration Courts and other courts as needed. This includes representation in cases such as Asylum, Withholding of Removal, Protection under the Convention against Torture, , Board of Immigration Appeals, U-Visas, T- Visas, and Cancellation of Removal. Provide expert mentoring to outside pro bono attorneys representing detained immigrants on a pro bono basis. 
• Prepare Post Release Plans and social service plans, in coordination with social services staff. 
• Research, engage, and prepare experts on health, behavioral health, and country conditions. 

Detention Facility Services:

• Conduct government detention center visits as needed to prepare clients for their immigration hearings. 
• Conduct individual intakes with immigrants at the detention facilities or remotely as necessary. Provide necessary follow-up after intakes to evaluate program eligibility and eligibility for relief, including performing research, securing criminal/juvenile delinquency records and obtaining additional information from family and community members. 

Organizational Services:

• Ensure the inputting and accuracy of data and case information into shared databases in a timely fashion. 
• Assist other program staff in completion of their workload during high-work/low- bandwidth periods. 
• Take part in stakeholder relationship activities, including in-person and telephonic meetings with community groups, governmental bodies and representatives, and other legal service providers. 
• Engage with internal Amica Center committees and working groups to lend a voice to the growth and strategy of the organization if so desired. 
• Undertake own administrative functions, including casework (e.g., preparation of all aspects of filings). Amica Center attorneys do not have dedicated paralegals for assistance on cases and non-attorney staff time is dedicated to client-facing tasks (e.g., jail visits). 
• Program-Specific Duties and Responsibilities: 
• Coordinate with all internal DAP Programs to ensure all programs are kept abreast of developments and clients. 

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

Legal Proficiency 

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 discussions. The Staff Attorney is working towards self-sufficiency in client hearings, interviews, and legal research and writing. 

Client and Programmatic Proficiency

The Staff Attorney satisfactorily handles all required in-jail and in-office programmatic obligations (intake, follow-up, case summaries, case development, etc.) with limited supervision. The Staff Attorney manages their in-house and pro bono mentoring caseload to allow for proper prioritization and thoughtful use of time and resources. 

Administrative

The Staff Attorney ensures that all administrative aspects of their position, attendant to the provision of services to clients, are carried out without managerial intervention, including timekeeping, file upkeep, database upkeep, etc. 

Qualifications Required:

• JD and 0-3 years of relevant experience with at least one year of immigration law preferred. 
• Must be licensed to practice law and in good standing with a state bar. 
• Written and oral Spanish proficiency required, fluency preferred. 
• Ability to manage a docket of detained removal defense cases. 
• Strong trial advocacy skills preferred. 

It is expected that the candidate will need to travel for work-related business. As a result, the candidate must possess a valid driver's license and be comfortable operating a vehicle upon hiring. This role requires travel, but qualified individuals with disabilities may be accommodated in a reasonable manner under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). 
 

Additional Role-Specific Details:

Position Type: Full-time, Exempt 

Reports To: Senior Attorney 

Supervisory Responsibility 

This position does not include primary supervision of other staff; however, it may involve temporary supervision of paralegals or interns depending on case-specific needs. 

Hiring Timeline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. 

Salary [2] 

Starting at $73,000

[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 will be based at the Washington, D.C. or Baltimore, M.D. Office. Travel to the area when needed for hearings, jail visits, and programmatic meetings is required.

Telework: Amica Center operates a hybrid work environment where staff are required to work at least one day per week in-office, but some roles require more office/on-site attendance or travel.

Benefits: Amica Center offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, flexible spending account, life insurance and pre-tax commuter benefits for those living in the DMV.

Paid Time Off: Amica Center provides personal, sick and volunteer time off, federal holidays, winter break closure and parental leave.

EEO Statement: Amica Center for Immigrant Rights is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with anti-discrimination law, it is the purpose of this policy 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: To learn more about our anti-racism statement click here.

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.

How to Apply: Submit your resume, cover letter and writing sample that explains your interest in this role with your Paylocity submission.

This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and will be a member of the Amica Center United bargaining unit.

Requirements

Please see above