Interim Staff Attorney At Kids in Need of Defense

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 an Interim Senior Attorney to provide senior-level expertise and leadership in the provision of legal services by KIND attorneys and pro bono partners to unaccompanied children facing removal proceedings. Serve as thoughtful leader and expert advisor on complex and novel legal issues for internal and external stakeholders. As needed, supervise Staff Attorneys, Senior Paralegals, and other non-attorney staff.

Essential Functions:

• Provide both mentoring to KIND pro bono attorneys and direct legal representation to KIND clients:
• In the pro bono mentoring function, provide robust consultation and technical assistance to pro bono attorneys who have accepted a KIND case.
• In the direct representation function, perform ordinary functions of legal counsel including legal research and formulating the legal strategy for the case; conducting client interviews; appearing before immigration and/or state courts or agencies; and drafting and filing court pleadings and applications for benefits.
• Supervise staff attorneys, fellows, supervising paralegals, senior paralegals or other non-attorney staff as needed, including:
• Onboarding, legal skills training and case technical assistance, daily support, and coaching, conducting regular check-ins and performance evaluations, reviewing work product, case audits, and providing consistent and effective feedback and oversight to ensure high-quality legal work.
• Place cases with pro bono attorneys, and provide ongoing expert mentoring, training, and technical assistance in individual and group settings.
• Engage in outreach to foster and expand relationships with community stakeholders and pro bono partners including law firm and in-house corporate counsel; provide expert contribution and oversight in development of guidance materials and samples.
• Contribute to overall office functioning, including actively participating in field office and KIND-wide calls and meetings, field office and KIND-wide committees, and providing leadership in office events.
• Oversee data management, ensuring data integrity through regular case audits, technical fluency with KIND’s case management systems, and oversight of data upkeep and accuracy by supervisees.
• In coordination with KIND’s Training and Technical Assistance Team as well as the Senior Director for Pro Bono Partnerships, as needed, develop local training curriculum, including sample filings and guidance packets. Assist with development and conducting of local and national KIND trainings for both staff and external partners and stakeholders.
• In collaboration with Legal Programs Management, and in coordination with other organizational departments such as Development and Finance, assist in developing and implementing grant and contract-funded programming, including monitoring performance against grant and contract commitments.
• Collaborate with other KIND departments on specific projects and initiatives as needed, including KIND’s Policy, Advocacy, Communications, and Regional departments.
• Represent KIND at local stakeholder meetings, trainings, conferences, and events.
• Participate in and lead local and national KIND meetings, committees, retreats, and events.
• Provide leadership and oversight in ensuring overall field office functioning and developing KIND’s legal services program at large.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• J.D. and admitted to local state bar.
• Advanced fluency in Spanish language if majority of caseload is working directly with clients; otherwise, Spanish-speaking preferred.
• 4-6 years 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.
• 3-5 years of experience working with children, preferably immigrant and refugee children, and/or working with survivors of abuse, human trafficking, or other trauma.
• Experience working with law firm attorneys and/or other legal volunteers.
• 2+ years of experience supervising attorneys and/or legal staff if the position requires supervision. For non-supervisory senior attorney, 2+ years demonstrating proven legal expertise or exemplary skills in managing complex legal projects.
• Strong record of cultural competence and cross-cultural communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and persuasively both orally and in writing.
• Demonstrated collaboration and contributor to overall team; ability to take initiative, multi-task, and work independently.