Staff Attorney

Job Description

Job Description

About KIND

Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) is a global leader in the protection of unaccompanied and separated children who are forcibly displaced from their countries of origin. Launched in 2008, KIND champions a world in which every child’s rights and well-being are protected throughout their journey to safety.

Building on its extensive programming and successful model in the United States, KIND is expanding in the Americas and Europe to bring its experience to bear in working with unaccompanied and separated children. Our work focuses on addressing the legal and mental health needs of this population; building strong partnerships and engaging in training and capacity strengthening with governments, NGOs, and the private sector; and advocating for systemic and pragmatic reforms to advance the rights of unaccompanied and separated children.

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 will report to the Supervising Attorney.

This position is contingent upon continued funding.

Essential Functions :

• Oversee paralegals ensuring the provision of high-quality intakes and legal orientations for unaccompanied children residing in immigration detention facilities. 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.
• Communicate regularly with shelter staff regarding the status of children in detention; advocate for alternative placements on behalf of children who are in danger of "aging out" of care or seeking placement in long-term foster care facilities.
• As needed, represent a smaller docket of children in their applications for relief who do not have reunification options and must remain longer in detention.
• Once children are released locally from detention, 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 :

Our Benefits

For a complete list of benefits, please click here.

Our Focus on Wellness

KIND recognizes that our ability to help our clients starts with helping our team members. KIND has prioritized wellness for employees through Mindfulness and Wellness Trainings, Wellness Platforms, Employee Assistance and Resilience Programs, Time Away and Office Wellness Activities.

For more information regarding our Wellness initiatives please visit this link.

Application Instructions

To be considered for this role, please submit an employment application at  supportkind.org / join -the-team, along with your resume and cover letter.

Disclaimer :  KIND is committed to an ethical recruitment and hiring process and maintains a firm “no fees” recruitment policy. We will never charge a fee or ask for money as part of the application process. KIND also conducts all interviews via telephone or video conference, and at no time will KIND engage in a text or mobile app-based application or interview process. For more information, please visit the following website :   https : / / supportkind.org / join -the-team / kind-employment-practices / .

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.