Staff Attorney – URM

About KIND:

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. Since 2008, KIND has accepted over 23,000 referrals of children seeking legal representation in their immigration proceedings. KIND has welcomed more than 41,000 attendees to trainings since its founding, cultivating partnerships with over 670 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 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 is a remote position (preferably based in the Sacramento CA area) reporting to the Senior Attorney in the Fresno field office.

Essential Functions:

• Oversee paralegals ensuring the provision of high-quality intakes and legal orientations for unaccompanied children. 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.
• 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.
• 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 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 six months and be able to be admitted within one year of employment).
• Fluent in English and Spanish.
• Minimum one (1) year of 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 one (1) year of 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Experience working and communicating in a remote environment.

Salary range: $67,440 – $84,300 dependent on experience

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