Senior Attorney, Immigration Impact Lab

Description
Who We Are
The Capital Area Immigrants’ Rights (CAIR) Coalition is now Amica Center for Immigrant Rights (“Amica Center” for short). Since our founding in 1999, we have grown significantly and added new services to support immigrants in detention. Recently, Amica Center has outgrown our name, expanding beyond our initial services and geographic boundaries.

“Amica” is the Latin word for “friend,” and that echoes the way we approach what we do. Just as friends stand with one another, Amica Center stands with our clients to achieve the safety, stability, and opportunity we all deserve.

We are the only non-profit organization in the Washington, D.C. area exclusively focused on providing legal assistance to adult and child immigrants detained by the government in the Capital Region and beyond.

Our Work Environment
Amica Center’s Immigration Impact Lab is a highly collaborative work environment. We are committed to providing high-quality, trauma-informed legal and social services and fostering a culture of professional growth and support. Although aspects of our work are completed in smaller teams, we work toward integrated and client-focused services across the organization by embracing interconnectivity. We strive to create systems that provide structure while actively fostering innovation and adaptability.

Position Summary
We are seeking a Senior Attorney to help lead the Immigration Impact Lab’s efforts to expand its impact litigation and referral systems in various circuits, particularly the Third, Fourth, and Eleventh Circuits.

A Senior Attorney in the Immigration Impact Lab focuses on working with the appellate and federal litigation team to meet the Lab’s goals, including:

Conducting broad-based legal research, case development, and written pleadings involving novel immigration issues

Providing direct legal services through appeals to the BIA and federal circuit courts, and litigation in district court

Working with pro bono attorneys through co-counseling, mentoring, and trainings

Supervising staff attorneys, legal assistants, and interns

Managing program projects and contributing to program development, including fundraising and thought leadership (media, panels, webinars)

General Duties and Responsibilities
Representation
Supervise attorneys, interns, and potentially legal assistants on Lab goals and cases

Work on federal impact litigation, including habeas petitions and appeals

Identify and develop potential affirmative impact litigation efforts

Conduct legal research

Draft legal pleadings for filing in federal courts and/or immigration agencies

Represent clients at the BIA, federal circuit courts, and federal district courts, and/or draft amicus briefs

Investigate and collect information to support federal litigation

Lead at least one large-scale litigation effort per year (e.g., class action or nationally significant circuit case)

Manage program projects supporting impact litigation

Assist other programs in creating innovative arguments, identifying novel issues, and preserving issues for appeal

Manage a caseload of in-house and pro bono co-counseling cases to ensure timely, high-quality filings

Provide technical legal assistance to advocates on issues affecting immigrants at risk of detention and deportation, including crim-imm intersections

Mentor and co-counsel with pro bono attorneys throughout the life of cases

Educate pro bono attorneys and advocates through trainings, panels, advisories, legal resources, and outreach

Implement programmatic priorities of the Immigration Impact Lab and supervise/mentor staff on complex litigation and appeals

Organizational Services
Assist program management with long-term plans and strategy

Ensure accurate and timely data and case information entry into shared databases

Participate in stakeholder relationship activities, including meetings with community groups, government representatives, and legal service providers

Conduct trainings and stakeholder meetings

Engage with internal committees and working groups to support organizational growth and strategy

Undertake administrative functions related to casework (e.g., preparing filings). Attorneys do not have dedicated paralegals; non-attorney staff focus on client-facing tasks

What Else You Should Know
Position Type
Exempt, Full-Time

Reports To
Managing Attorney

Supervisory Responsibility
This role will involve supervising one or several staff members.

Timeline
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Start date TBD.

Salary
$67,800–$110,000

Amica Center uses a transparent compensation framework based on position and years of relevant experience to ensure internal equity and reduce the risk of bias.

Location
Based in Washington, DC. Due to business-related travel expectations, candidates are recommended to live within 30 miles of their primary office.

Telework
Hybrid work environment. Staff must work at least one day per week in-office; some roles require more on-site attendance or travel.

COVID-19 Vaccination
All employees must be fully vaccinated and boosted per CDC guidelines. Boosters must be received within 30 days of eligibility.

Benefits
Amica Center’s benefits package includes:

Free gym access (depending on primary office)

Flexible working hours after training and supervisor approval

Pre-tax commuter benefits (DMV residents)

Subsidized health, dental, and vision insurance

$50,000 life insurance; long- and short-term disability

Flexible Spending Account option

High Deductible Health Plan with a one-time $350 employer HSA contribution

403(b) retirement plan with potential employer match after one year

Paid time off:

23 Personal Days per year

Up to 20 Sick Days per year

7 hours Volunteer Time Off per year

Federal holidays

Paid winter break closure

12 weeks parental leave

How to Apply
Submit your resume, a cover letter explaining your interest, and a writing sample through Paylocity.

Amica Center values diversity and encourages candidates from underrepresented groups to apply. Candidates with disabilities may request accommodations at [email protected].

EEO Statement
Amica Center is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.

Anti-Racism Statement
https://amicacenter.org/becoming-anti-racist

Requirements
Competencies Required
Legal Proficiency
Solid understanding of legal concepts

Ability to provide services with limited supervision

Strong written and oral legal skills

Experience conducting hearings or interviews

Ability to supervise staff on client interaction, legal strategy, research, and writing

Demonstrates cultural competency and trauma‑informed practices

Client and Programmatic Proficiency
Competently handles and supervises programmatic obligations

Manages caseload and pro bono mentoring effectively

Supervises junior staff to ensure efficiency and quality

Exercises sound judgment and elevates issues appropriately

Administrative
Ensures all administrative aspects of the role (and supervisees’ roles) are completed without managerial intervention, including timekeeping, file upkeep, and database maintenance

Qualifications Required
JD and at least 2 years of federal appellate and/or district court litigation experience

Excellent legal research and writing skills

Dedication to immigrants’ rights

Creative, entrepreneurial, innovative mindset

Ability to identify and implement innovative litigation approaches

Ability to adapt to changing priorities and circumstances

Preferred Qualifications
Admitted to practice in Virginia or willing to sit for the next Virginia bar exam

Admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or willing to be admitted

Experience supervising attorneys and building systems

Immigration law experience

Preference for Spanish-speaking candidates