Senior Attorney, Detained Children’s Program

Who We Are

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.

The Detained Children’s Program

The Detained Children’s Program provides legal orientation and screening to detained migrant children in the Maryland and Virginia region. We also offer free legal services to children released from Office of Refugee Resettlement custody to the greater Washington/DC Baltimore region.

Our Work Environment

CAIR Coalition’s Detained Children’s Program (DUCs) is a highly collaborative work environment. We are committed to providing high-quality, trauma-informed legal and social services and a culture of professional growth and support for staff. Although aspects of our work are completed in smaller teams, we work towards integrated and client-focused services across the program by embracing interconnectivity. We strive to create systems that provide structure while fostering innovation and adaptability. Supervisors in our program share a commitment to teaching, mentorship, and work-life balance.

We center impacted people in our advocacy and media. We embrace the movement in our work while also staying focused on the practicalities we trained for, as well as where we are most useful in this movement. We grow our reach and skill set when resources permit and there is passion. We do not limit our push or dreams for this world based on the limits we know but try to imagine how to navigate around them.

We value our brain trust and are constantly finding ways to ensure that we maintain and grow, in ways that acknowledge those with expertise but also set new advocates for success.

Position Summary

A Staff Attorney in the Detained Children’s Program works collaboratively with staff and leadership to:

• Provide high-quality, culturally competent direct legal services to detained and released unaccompanied immigrant children.
• Coordinate and carry out visits to detention centers for the purpose of conducting legal intakes and Know Your Rights presentations to detained children.
• Mentor pro bono attorneys providing legal services to unaccompanied immigrant children.
• Contribute to the success of the program, building a culture of collaboration and learning.
• Promote a team culture of equity and inclusion.

General Duties and Responsibilities

Representation:

• Manage a caseload, with supervision, of direct legal representation of detained and released clients in removal proceedings before local state and immigration courts and USCIS in the following types of cases: Asylum, Withholding of Removal, Protection under the Convention against Torture, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, U-Visas, and T-Visas.
• Participate in client intake and follow-up to determine eligibility for legal relief, facilitation of case placement with in-house or pro bono attorneys, and social services referrals.
• Remain abreast of new developments in the law by actively participating in legal trainings, reviewing written resources, and conducting legal research.
• Supervise legal assistants and interns on aspects of their work.
• Mentor pro bono attorneys from area law firms handling immigration cases, as needed.
• Handle own administrative tasks for casework (e.g., preparation and submission of filings, file maintenance, and recordkeeping).

Organizational Services:

• Participate in regular facility visits for the purpose of conducting legal intakes and know your rights (KYR) presentations for detained children.
• Ensure the timely and accurate entry of case information into shared databases.
• Assist other program staff in completion of their workload during high-work/low-bandwidth periods.
• Participate in stakeholder relationship activities, including meetings with community groups, government agencies, and other legal service providers.
• Engage with internal CAIR Coalition committees and working groups to participate in the growth and strategy of the organization.

Additional Role-Specific Details

Position Type:

Full-time, Exempt

Reports To:

Assigned Senior or Managing Attorney

Hiring Timeline:

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Salary:

$61,500- $82,000

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.

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
• 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
• 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
• Client and Programmatic Proficiency
• Administrative

Qualifications Required:

• JD and 0-3 years relevant experience in immigration law
• Must be licensed to practice law in Maryland or Virginia, eligible to waive into the Maryland or Virginia bar, or willing to sit for the next scheduled bar exam
• Written and oral Spanish professional proficiency required; fluency preferred
• Valid driver’s license
• Favorable results on background check

How to Apply:

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

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:

CAIR Coalition’s Statement