Staff Attorney, Detained Adult Program- Legal Orientation Program (LOP)

Description

Who We Are

The Capital Area Immigrants’ Rights (CAIR) Coalition is now Amica Center for Immigrant Rights (“Amica Center” for short). Click here to learn more about our new name. Since our founding in 1999, we have grown significantly and added new services to support immigrants in detention. Recently, Amica Center has outgrown our name, expanding beyond our initial services and geographic boundaries. 

“Amica” is the Latin word for “friend,” and that echoes the way we approach what we do. Just as friends stand with one another, Amica Center stands with our clients to achieve the safety, stability, and opportunity we all deserve. 

We are the only non-profit organization in the Washington, D.C. area that is exclusively focused on providing legal assistance to adult and child immigrants detained by the government in the Capital Region and beyond. 

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’s Legal Orientation Program (LOP) focuses on the provision of direct legal services to immigrant adults held in facilities in Virginia who are unrepresented and cannot afford private counsel. These services include: (i) delivering Know Your Rights presentations and workshops, (ii) conducting intakes with all unrepresented persons, (iii) triaging and screening cases for pro bono placement with internal teams at Amica Center and external pro bono partners, and liaising with these partners, (iv) mentoring external pro bono attorneys, and (v) providing pro se assistance to individuals Amica Center is unable to match with pro bono counsel. 

In this work, LOP attorneys are responsible for identifying trends and emerging issues faced by the people we work with in detention and coordinating responses. Attorneys in this program also occasionally directly represent detained clients in their immigration proceedings, however this is not the focus of the role.    

General Duties and Responsibilities [1]

Direct Services to Detained Unrepresented People:  

• Plan and lead visits to government detention facilities throughout Virginia (approximately 2-4 full days per month, with one overnight visit), including oversight and supervision of staff and volunteers during visits and assistance in the preparation and breakdown of visits. 
• Perform Know-Your-Rights presentations and pro se workshops in Spanish, English, and (with interpretation) other languages to help detained individuals navigate the immigration court system. Coordinate efforts to ensure every newly arrived person at the detention center has the opportunity to attend presentations. Assist in adapting presentations and workshops to respond to changes in the law and legal needs of the people we work with in detention.   
• Conduct individual intakes with immigrants at detention facilities to evaluate and provide the necessary information and assistance needed to understand their cases. Work with the team to ensure that every unrepresented person at the detention center has the opportunity to complete an intake.   
• Participate in and/or lead team sessions to review new intakes and triage for follow-up services. Screen for eligibility for all forms of relief and/or release from detention, including asylum, withholding of removal, protection under the Convention against Torture, cancellation of removal, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, U and T visas, and termination as well as appeals, and bond. Analyze the immigration consequences of criminal convictions or allegations. Develop tailored messages providing further legal information that detained individuals need to navigate their cases pro se. 
• Conduct further follow up tasks to evaluate eligibility for relief and recommend for pro bono placement, including performing legal research, securing criminal/juvenile delinquency records, obtaining additional information from family and community members, and writing case summaries. Make appropriate referrals to in-house programs for legal representation. Liaise with external partners at law schools, non-profit organizations, and firms in coordination with pro bono coordinating attorney for the purpose of securing and furthering access to legal services for detained individuals.   
• Provide one-on-one pro se education and assistance to certain individuals who remain unrepresented, including family outreach, country conditions research, gathering evidence, and preparing the individual to navigate their hearing pro se. Provide resources, assistance, and information to individuals from a wide array of backgrounds and needs, including people who speak a range of languages (with interpreters available for languages other than Spanish), have varying degrees of literacy, and experience mental disability or illness.  
• Identify and track trends and emerging issues faced by the people we work with in detention affecting their immigration cases. Coordinate with others in the organization to help detained people respond to and access better information on issues. Make appropriate referrals and provide necessary insight to in-house and external teams working on responding to the emergent issues identified.   
• Provide supervision on legal matters and other support to paralegals and junior staff in the program. 

Mentoring and Representation:   

• Manage a caseload of pro bono mentorship cases to ensure competent, zealous representation and timely completion and submission of all filings by external partners. Provide expert mentoring to outside attorneys representing detained immigrants on a pro bono basis by orienting teams to cases, providing necessary client access information and assisting in troubleshooting accessibility concerns, providing feedback on filings, answering complex legal questions, and assisting with mooting and trial preparation.  
• Occasionally represent in a small number of in-house cases for detained clients that can include merits (trial) representation, bond, negative fear interview reviews, appeals and/or habeas petitions. 
• Prepare and guide pro bono teams through putting together post release and social service plans, in coordination with social services staff. 
• Research, engage, and prepare experts on health, behavioral health, and country conditions and pro bono teams working with these experts.

Organizational Services: 

• Ensure the inputting and accuracy of data and case information into shared databases in a timely fashion. 
• Undertake own administrative functions, including for case and follow up work (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, pro se assistance).   
• Take part in stakeholder relationship activities, including in-person and telephonic meetings with community groups, governmental bodies and representatives (including ICE, jail and court officials), and other legal service providers.  
• Coordinate and collaborate with Amica Center Direct Representation programs to ensure all programs are kept abreast of detention developments, clients, and referrals.  
• Assist other program staff in completion of their workload during high-work/low-bandwidth periods.  
• Engage with internal Amica Center committees and working groups to lend a voice to the growth and strategy of the organization.  
• Actively engage in Amica Center’s training and advocacy efforts, as needed.  

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

What Else You Should Know

Position Type

Full-time, Exempt 

Reports To

Managing Attorney

Supervisory Responsibility

Depending on the needs of each case, this position may involve temporary supervision of paralegals or interns.

Reports To

Senior Attorney

Hiring Timeline

The priority deadline to apply is January 17; however, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Salary [2]

$61,500- $65,250

 [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 in the Washington, DC Office. 

Due to travel-related expectations, it is recommended candidates live within 30-miles of their assigned primary office. LOP Staff routinely conduct Jail Visits that require them to meet at the DC office early in the morning to drive together using a rented car. Proximity to the primary office is crucial for ensuring timely arrivals and efficient coordination for these early morning meetings. 

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. Due to the nature of the work, the LOP staff are required to be in the office at least 2-3 days a week 

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. 

Benefits

Amica Center benefits package includes:

• Free gym access located in Washington, D.C. or Baltimore, MD (dependent on employee's primary office); 
• Flexible working hours after successful completion of trainings and with approval of supervisor; 
• Pre-tax commuter benefits for those living in the DMV; 
• Subsidized health, dental insurance, and vision subsidized health, dental insurance, and vision insurance (Amica Center pays a very high rate of the insurance package, for which we can provide additional information);  
• Work issued cell phone provided to all client-facing employees;
• Life insurance valued at $50,000, as well as long and short term disability;  
• The option to set up a Flexible Spending Account; and  
• The option to set up a 403(b) account (the equivalent of a 401(k) account for non-profits) which the organization has the option, for all employees on an annual basis, to match at a certain percentage after one year of continuous employment. 

Paid time off includes

• 23 personal days per calendar year 
• Up to 20 days of sick time per calendar year 
• 7 hours of volunteer time
• Federal holidays 
• Winter break closure 
• 12 weeks of parental leave  

At Amica Center, we embrace the fact that talented individuals come from diverse backgrounds and life experiences. We believe that diversity in all dimensions of the organization supports and bolsters the innovative thinking essential to our success. Amica Center values your unique perspectives, skills, and potential, and we are committed to providing equal opportunities for growth and development. If you are passionate about Amica Center's mission and are excited to contribute your talents to our team, we encourage you to submit your application. Candidates from traditionally underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to  apply. If you are a candidate with a disability and require accommodations to apply for this position, please contact us at  HR@amicacenter.org. 

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 .

How to Apply

Submit your resume, a cover letter that explains your interest in this role, and a writing sample with your Paylocity application. 

Requirements

Competencies Required

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 employee clearly and skillfully employs the law in written and oral presentations with limited supervision and input from supervisors. The employee contributes substantively to case assessment discussion. The employee is working towards self-sufficiency in client orientation, interviews, and legal research.  

Client and Programmatic Proficiency  

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

Administrative  

The employee 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 relevant experience in immigration law or comparable field; 1-3 years of relevant with at least one year of immigration law preferred.  
• Must be licensed to practice law. 
• Oral and written Spanish working proficiency required, fluency preferred.  
• Ability to manage a high volume of client interactions both in-person and through our hotline.
• Driver’s license and ability to drive long distances required, qualified individuals with disabilities may be accommodated in a reasonable manner under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Salary : $61,500 - $65,250