Senior Attorney, Detained Adult Program

The Capital Area Immigrants’ Rights (CAIR) Coalition

The Capital Area Immigrants’ Rights (CAIR) Coalition is 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.

Our Work Environment

CAIR Coalition’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.

Position Summary

A Senior Attorney in the Detained Adult Program focuses on:

• the provision of direct legal services under a universal representation model to immigrant adults held in facilities in Virginia and Maryland,
• the supervision of staff attorneys and legal assistants (also including supervision of interns and fellows); and
• the mentoring of pro bono attorneys.

This position is based in our Baltimore, Maryland office and will work primarily with our Maryland focused universal representation project/public defender model. This project provides legal representation to detained immigrants regardless of their criminal history and immigration procedural postures.

General Duties and Responsibilities

Representation:

• Manages caseload of direct legal representation of detained clients in removal proceedings primarily before the Arlington and/or Baltimore Immigration Courts. This includes representation types such as Asylum, Withholding of Removal, Protection under the Convention against Torture, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, U-Visas, T-Visas, and Cancellation of Removal.
• Provide direct supervision to staff attorneys on direct representation cases, including supervision and assistance of (i) case strategy, (ii) trial preparation, and (iii) case load management.
• Provide expert mentoring to outside attorneys representing detained immigrants on a pro bono basis.
• Assist other program staff during high-work/low bandwidth periods.
• Participates in stakeholder relationship activities.
• Engages with internal CAIR Coalition committees and working groups to lend a voice to the growth and strategy of the organization.
• Written and oral Spanish fluency strongly preferred, but experienced supervisors will be considered with no Spanish language.
• Driver’s license required.

Additional Role-Specific Details:

Position Type: Full-time, exempt position

Reports To: Assigned senior staff or Program Director

Hiring Timeline: Applications will be accepted and offers made on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Salary: $67,800-$96,500

Location and/or Travel Requirements: This position will be based at the Washington, D.C. or Baltimore, M.D. Office. Due to business related travel expectations, it is recommended candidates live within 30-miles of their assigned primary office.

Telework: CAIR Coalition operates a hybrid work environment. Most staff are required to work at least one day per week in-office, but some roles require more office/on-site attendance or travel.

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: CAIR Coalition’s 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 insurance (CAIR Coalition pays a very high rate of the insurance package, for which we can provide additional information)
• An annual data reimbursement of $300
• Life insurance valued at $50,000, as well as long and short term disability
• The option to set up a Flexible Spending Account
• 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 off
  • Federal holidays
  • Winter break closure
  • 12 weeks of parental leave

Requirements

Competencies Required:

Legal Proficiency The Senior Attorney demonstrates a solid understanding of legal concepts at a level that allows them to provide services to clients with limited supervision. The Senior Attorney clearly and skillfully employs the law in written and oral presentations and assists junior staff in doing the same. The Senior Attorney has taken on multiple hearings or interviews for clients with limited supervision. The Senior Attorney is able to competently supervise Staff Attorneys on client interaction matters and legal strategy, research, and writing. The Senior Attorney demonstrates cultural competency and trauma-informed practices.

Client and Programmatic Proficiency The Senior Attorney competently handles, and supervises, all required programmatic obligations (staff supervision, program reporting requirements, intake, follow-up, relief eligibility memos for pro bono placement, etc.). The Senior Attorney manages their supervision responsibilities and in-house and pro bono mentoring caseload to allow for proper prioritization and thoughtful use of time and resources. The Senior Attorney supervises junior staff to ensure programmatic efficiency and efficacy. The Senior Attorney exercises sound judgment and decision-making skills and identifies when issues must be elevated to management.

Administrative The Senior Attorney ensures that all administrative aspects of their position (and of their supervisees’), 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 3-5 years of relevant experience in immigration law.
• Must be licensed to practice law and in good standing with a state bar.
• Written and oral Spanish fluency strongly preferred, but experienced supervisors will be considered with no Spanish language.
• It is expected that the candidate will need to travel for work-related business. As a result, the candidate must possess a valid driver’s license and be comfortable operating a vehicle upon hiring. This role requires travel, but qualified individuals with disabilities may be accommodated in a reasonable manner under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

To Apply: Complete the application in its entirety. Be sure to upload a cover letter, resume, and writing sample focused on an immigration related legal issue. Apply Here

EEO Statement

Capital Area Immigrants’ Rights (CAIR) Coalition is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with anti-discrimination law, it is the purpose of this policy to effectuate these principles and mandates. CAIR Coalition 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. CAIR Coalition conforms to the spirit as well as to the letter of all applicable laws and regulations.

Our Anti-Racism Statement: Link