Staff Attorney

CASA & CASA IN ACTION SYNOPSIS:

CASA’s mission is to create a more just society by building power and improving the quality of life in working class Black, Latino/a/e, Afro-descendant, Indigenous, and Immigrant communities. Rooted in the collective power of our community, our inclusive, permanent, member-led movement radically transforms communities and systems to ensure the needs, dreams, and aspirations of members are fully met as we strive for justice and full liberation at home and in solidarity with others across the world. CASA has a sister organization, CASA in Action, a separate, but related, nonprofit organization that is exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. Although CASA and CASA in Action share a common goal of supporting immigrants and low-income people in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Georgia, they are separate organizations with their own board of directors. A set of employees at the two organizations, including the person filling this position, shares their time between the two organizations. This has no effect on salary or benefits.

DEPARTMENT SYNOPSIS:

The legal program at CASA operates under the principles of Justice is the goal, law is a means. It is a marathon, not a sprint. We endeavor to find the most creative strategies to combat the abuses and injustices identified by our constituents. We value justice in the largest sense possible, not only one person at a time legal solutions, but broad, transformative solutions created in combination with immigrant leaders, CASA organizers and other staff, other local and national organizations and direct service staff. We value our time and believe that through hard and sustained effort is often required, real rest is also necessary for creativity, stamina and “a life,” however defined. 

POSITION SUMMARY:

A CASA staff attorney is on the front line in defending, advocating for, and working alongside our members in different spaces. The Staff Attorney will be responsible for providing direct representation to CASA members in civil legal cases, including representation in immigration court and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), while helping to support the broader efforts of CASA’s Legal Department, as assigned by their supervisor. CASA staff attorneys work with a dynamic group of paralegals, organizers, advocates, and social service staff in a friendly and fast-paced environment. 

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

     Direct Legal Work

• Under the supervision of the Supervising Attorney, provide legal representation to CASA members in civil legal cases, including both affirmative applications and representation of clients in removal proceedings and state court proceedings, as well as potential appellate work in front of the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) and federal circuit courts.  
• Provide legal orientation, counseling and education regarding a range of immigration issues and other legal problems faced by members of the working-class, immigrant communities that form CASA’s base. 
• Support CASA’s citizenship program through regular consultations with relevant staff on citizenship cases, participation in regular citizenship clinics, representing a limited number of CASA members in their citizenship applications and other duties as assigned.  
• Participate in community workshops and clinics organized by the Legal Department and/or other departments. 
• Provide regular (at a minimum, weekly) consultations to CASA members seeking immigration advice.

Strategic Work with Organizers

• Support the legal needs of CASA’s Organizing Department as they arise, including through regular engagement with staff and community leaders, providing legal consultations to members identified by Organizing staff, and advising on policy and campaign issues.
• Support CASA campaigns to improve the lives of immigrant and working class communities at the local, state and federal level by drafting and reviewing legislation, presenting testimony, organizing hearings, lobbying elected officials and other duties as assigned.
• Identify clients to support priority CASA campaigns through engagement with the Organizing Department, media engagements and other means of public advocacy. 

Outreach/Popular Education

• Engage in education and outreach through “Know Your Rights” presentations, workshops and clinics, participation on panels and other means of public engagement.
• Design, edit, and disseminate popular education materials, and plan and implement “Train the Trainer” workshops in which organizers and workers are trained to reach out to others to inform them of their rights.
• Improve and grow relationships with volunteers and other key partners to support CASA’s legal work, including pro bono attorneys, law students, and other relevant professionals.

Administrative Work

• Complete on-going data entry, data verification, and internal activity reports.
• Maintain contemporaneous and complete notes of all case-related activity in CASA’s case management systems.
• Engage in an annual planning process, developing and executing individual work plans, evaluating and providing feedback on plans as the year progresses.
• Contribute creative ideas about ways to further improve specific job and CASA as an organization.

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION/LICENSURE:

• Licensed to practice law in the jurisdiction where this position is based or ability to immediately obtain licensure.
• Valid US Driver’s License and a reliable vehicle.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Bilingual English/Spanish (written and spoken). French is a plus. 
• 1-3 years of experience delivering civil legal services. This can include work with a law school clinic, internships or other related activities.
• Strong communication skills.
• Strong commitment to CASA’s mission of building power in working-class and immigrant communities.
• Strong commitment to the principle of zealous advocacy. 
• Strong time management skills. 
• Ability to work both independently and in a group setting.
• Ability to travel regularly between different CASA locations.

BENEFITS DESCRIPTION:

Who is eligible?

• All full time and part time permanent positions working 20 hours or more per week.

What We Offer:

• Generous paid time off, including:  annual leave starting at three weeks per year (proportional accrual per pay period), two weeks of sick leave, three days of personal leave, and additional compensatory leave for exempt employees.
• Twelve (12) paid holidays per calendar year.
• Excellent Benefits Package including employer paid benefits as follow:
  • Health, dental, and vision insurance (CASA pays 100%  of the premium costs for the employee up to our HMO plan, 55% for couples, 65% for children and 60% for family)
  • Basic life and AD&D
  • Long and Short Term Disability insurance 
  • Professional Development: Those pursuing a course of study related to work performed at CASA may be eligible for a reimbursement up to $2,000.
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Additional voluntary benefits:
  • FSA Account including Dependent Care.
  • 401(k) retirement plan with a 2% employer discretionary match.
  • Accident, Critical Indemnity, Hospital insurance.
• Allowances:
  • Mileage reimbursements for those positions that are required to drive on CASA business.
  • Cell Phone stipend for those positions that are required to use their cellphone for CASA business.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; lift, carry, reach push or pull objects; climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl; handling, feeling or grasping.

The employee is occasionally required to stand or walk. The employee must rarely lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. When it comes to physical strength the employee will rarely perform heavy or medium work.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is rarely exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

ADA: CASA will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. 

OSHA: A Staff Attorney is not to handle any human body fluids, biological agents, laboratory chemicals, or be exposed to hazardous materials such as noise, asbestos, or carcinogens.

This is a union position, represented in collective bargaining by a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Communication Workers of America, Local WBNG 32035 - Communication Workers of America (CWA). If you are offered and accept this position, you will be invited to become a member of the union. All bargaining unit positions require membership or agency fee payer status.

CASA Inc. and CASA in Action do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, mental or physical disability, ancestry, marital status or national origin.

This job description will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity. Essential and marginal job functions are subject to modification. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. 

CASA has implemented a mandatory vaccination policy effective 01 February 2022, requiring COVID‑19 Booster vaccination(s) for all employees and prospective employees, AmeriCorps members, and paid or non-paid internships. In accordance with CASA's duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards, we are adopting this policy to safeguard the health of our employees, AmeriCorps members and interns, and their families, CASA members and visitors, and the community at large from infectious diseases that may be reduced by vaccinations. In making this decision, the executive leadership team reviewed recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, CASA’s Legal Counsel and local health officials. All prospective employees will be required to provide proof of COVID 19 vaccination or appropriate medical / religious accommodation documentation prior to the first day of employment with CASA. AmeriCorps member candidates will be required to provide proof of COVID 19 vaccination or appropriate medical / religious accommodation documentation at the time of presenting proof of citizenship and SSN eligibility.