Employment Type : Full-Time
KIDS IN NEED OF DEFENSE SENIOR ATTORNEY, SPECIAL PROGRAMS – WASHINGTON D.C. Background: 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 provided over 19,000 children with high quality representation in their immigration proceedings by training more than 41,000 attorneys and cultivating partnerships with over 600 law firms, corporate legal departments, law schools, and bar associations across the country. KIND’s social services program ensures that migrant and refugee children – who have often endured trauma – receive counseling, educational support, medical care and other comprehensive services. 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. KIND is also building upon its expertise in the protection of unaccompanied children to encourage the development of pro bono initiatives across Europe in partnership with European NGOs. POSITION DESCRIPTION KIND seeks a Senior Attorney, Special Programs, falling within the organization’s Legal Strategy and Special Programs (LSSP) component focusing on legal services for separated children and families, children referred through KIND’s Mexico Initiative, and other cases and projects in line with organizations priorities. The Senior Attorney will report to the Managing Attorney for Special Programs. In collaboration with the Director of Special Programs, the Managing Attorney, and the rest of the Special Programs team, the Senior Attorney will help deliver legal services to children and families impacted by family separation and other emerging legal and policy changes affecting migrant children seeking safe haven in the U.S. The Senior Attorney will provide direct representation, pro bono mentoring, and strategic legal counsel and program planning and implementation in a cutting-edge area of work on behalf of highly vulnerable children. Recruit, train, and provide hands-on mentorship to pro bono attorneys representing separated children and reunified family units; Directly represent separated and/or unaccompanied children in immigration proceedings, including seeking Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), asylum, or other forms of humanitarian immigration relief; Provide technical assistance to field office staff representing separated children and families; Assist clients and pro bono attorneys in pursuing redress for separated children and families through the Federal Tort Claims Act; Collaborate with KIND’s Mexico Initiative team and field office teams to ensure provision of services to children referred through KIND’s cross-border work; Foster KIND’s relationships with law firms and corporate counsel in coordination with other legal services team members; Participate in conferences, meetings, media engagements, and trainings as needed; Support and encourage wellness amongst colleagues and team cohesion; Collaborate with KIND management in support of KIND’s mission; Assist with strategic service delivery efforts, including use of technology-based legal services models, as well as crisis response and remote mentoring initiatives; Work with the Director, Managing Attorney, and other members of the Legal Services and Policy and Advocacy components to support litigation and other advocacy efforts where needed. REQUIRED SKILLS J.D. and admittance to local bar. Fluency in Spanish and English (oral and written) required. Six years’ experience practicing immigration law, including representation of clients in humanitarian immigration claims such as asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, U visas and T visas; Two years’ experience supervising legal staff or demonstrated equivalency reflecting proven exemplary skills in mentoring staff or managing complex projects; Three years’ experience working with children, preferably immigrant and refugee children, or experience working with survivors of abuse, human trafficking, or other trauma; Experience working with pro bono attorneys or other legal volunteers; Federal litigation experience highly preferred; A strong record of cultural competence and cross-cultural communication skills; Demonstrated high-level writing and public speaking/training skills; Ability to take initiative, multi-task, and work independently; and Ability to be flexible and adapt to frequently-changing policies and priorities. PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT Ability to work within an office environment and have regular interaction via telephone, videoconference, IM, and email with KIND's team. Travel to KIND’s headquarters office (located in D.C.) and to visit with other team members and attend conferences periodically required. To Apply: