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. As needed, supervise Senior Paralegals, Paralegals, interns, and/or other non-attorney staff. The Staff Attorney will report to the Managing Attorney, Boston-Detained.

Essential Functions

• Oversees paralegals ensuring the provision of high-quality intakes and legal orientations for unaccompanied children residing in immigration detention facilities; reviews legal screenings conducted by paralegals to determine children's preliminary eligibility for immigration relief.

• Makes "friend-of-the-court" appearances on the juvenile detained docket in Immigration Court on behalf of detained children; enters representation in certain cases.

• Communicates regularly with shelter staff regarding the status of children in detention; advocates 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, represents 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, provides 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, places 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.

• Performs ordinary functions of legal counsel providing direct representation, including legal research, and formulating the legal strategy for the case; conducts client interviews; appears before immigration and/or state court or agencies, and drafts and files court pleadings and applications for benefits.

• Places cases with pro bono attorneys and builds 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, helps develop pro bono training resources and local training curriculum, including sample filings and guidance packets. With supervision, presents training to pro bono attorneys and community groups.

• Ensures entry of timely, accurate, and detailed case data into KIND's case management systems.

• Contributes 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.

• As needed, supervises 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 and Requirements

• J.D. and admitted to the local state bar.

• Fluent in English and Spanish.

• Minimum of 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 of 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.

• Experience working with law firm attorneys and/or other legal volunteers preferred.

• Regular/weekly travel to local immigration detention facility required.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Spanish.

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suites (such as Teams, Excel, etc.).

• Ability to work collaboratively and multi-task in our KIND environment, managing numerous priorities and emerging opportunities.

• Excellent organizational skills with ability to work on multiple projects in a deadline-oriented environment. Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate as appropriate.

• Strong record of cultural competence and cross-cultural communication skills.

• 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.

$72,122.79 - $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.

Application Instructions

To be considered for this role, please submit an employment application at supportkind.org/join-the-team, along with your resume and cover letter.

KIND has an organization-wide commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. We strive to create a work environment where everyone has a sense of belonging. Individuals from historically underrepresented or underserved communities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Disclaimer: KIND is committed to an ethical recruitment and hiring process and maintains a firm "no fees" recruitment policy. We will never charge a fee or ask for money as part of the application process. KIND also conducts all interviews via telephone or video conference, and at no time will KIND engage in a text or mobile app-based application or interview process. For more information, please visit the following website: https://supportkind.org/join-the-team/kind-employment-practices/.