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. KIND has provided nearly 18,000 children with high quality representation in their immigration proceedings by training more than 41,000 attorneys and legal staff and cultivating partnerships with over 600 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 Description:
KIND seeks a Senior Attorney in KIND’s Baltimore field office to provide senior-level expertise and leadership in provision of legal services by KIND attorneys and pro bono partners to unaccompanied children facing removal proceedings; serve as a thoughtful leader and expert advisor on complex and novel legal issues for internal and external stakeholders; help develop, maintain, and oversee the provision of pro bono legal representation to unaccompanied children through KIND’s network of major law firms, corporate partners, and law schools; recruit, train and advise volunteer solo practicing, firm, and corporate attorneys to ensure effective pro bono representation of individual child clients before immigration and state courts, and immigration agencies; manage a limited caseload of direct representation cases, both to maintain strong practice skills relevant to mentoring and to help meet case staffing needs; and supervise attorneys and/or support staff within KIND’s Baltimore office, as needed. This role reports into the Managing Attorney for the Baltimore field office, leads the Baltimore pro bono program and oversees Staff Attorneys and/or support staff (2-4 direct reports).
Essential Functions:
- Supervises attorneys and/or support staff in KIND’s Baltimore office, as determined by the Managing Attorney.
- Matches and places KIND cases with pro bono attorneys.
- Recruits, trains, mentors, and provides technical assistance to pro bono attorneys representing unaccompanied children in immigration matters and related family law matters throughout the pendency of the cases.
- Provides direct representation to unaccompanied immigrant children applying for immigration benefits including SIJS, asylum, T visas, and U visas before EOIR, USCIS, Maryland Circuit Courts, and state and federal courts of appeal, as necessary.
- Collaborates with Managing Attorney to execute contractual responsibilities under certain funding streams, including support with drafting grant propoals and reports, lead, implement, and oversee strategic planning efforts and program activities for said funding streams.
- Fosters and maintains relationships with key stakeholders, community partners, and referring agencies.
- Develops and maintains updated guidance materials, sample filings, and legal training presentations, including in collaboration with KIND’s Training and Technical Assistance Team, Senior Director for Pro Bono Partnerships, and Managing Attorney.
- Plans and supports pro bono program offerings in coordination with staff in KIND’s Baltimore office (including pro bono trainings, clinics, and court observation opportunities, weekly case blast newsletters, internal mentoring meetings, and an annual volunteer appreciation event).
- Fosters and manages KIND relationships with law firms and corporate counsel in coordination with the Senior Director for Pro Bono Partnerships.
- Assists in office operations, including case management, data entry and maintenance, and reports.
- Collaborates with KIND management and other KIND components in support of KIND’s mission, including participation and/or leadership in field office and cross-office working groups, staff retreats, etc.
- Participates in conferences, meetings, and trainings, as needed.
- Represents KIND at local stakeholder meetings.
Qualifications and Requirements:
- Juris Doctor and admission in good standing to practice law, preferably in Maryland.
- Fluency in Spanish (oral and written) preferred.
- A minimum of five (5) 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.
- Family law experience a plus.
- A minimum of three (3) years of experience working with children, preferably immigrant and refugee children, or experience working with survivors of abuse, human trafficking, or other trauma.
- A minimum of two (2) years' experience supervising legal staff, where supervision of Staff Attorneys and/or Senior Paralegals required.
- At least two (2) years of experience working with law firm attorneys and/or other legal volunteers.
- A strong record of cultural competence and cross-cultural communication skills.
- An understanding of the private law firm and corporate pro bono culture and the ability to be a well-respected and effective representative of the program to all stakeholders.
- Experience conducting training presentations and preparing training materials; mentoring or co-counseling experience.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills; excellent professional judgment.
- Ability to work autonomously as well as in a collaborative work enviroment.
- Ability to travel occasionally, as needed.
Physical Demands and Work Environment:
- Work is generally performed within the office environment, and mentoring responsibilities will include significant telephone and email contact with pro bono attorneys.
Salary:
$78K-$86K DOE
Application Instructions:
Please be advised that an employment application will need to be submitted along with your application in order to be considered for the desired role.
KIND is an EOE committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in both its staff and work. The selected applicant will be asked to undergo a background check before acceptance of the final offer.