Children’s Attorney

• Country: USA
• Organization: IRC 
• Deadline: N/A
• No of Vacancies: N/A

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct intakes with child clients, identify relief, and provide direct representation for unaccompanied children released to sponsors in King, Pierce, Snohomish, and Spokane counties.
• Handle moderate to heavy caseload of children’s cases before the Immigration Court and USCIS.
• Initiate and represent children in state court proceedings for children who are eligible for Special Immigrant Juvenile status, including dependencies, Vulnerable Youth Guardianships, parenting plans, and minor guardianships.
• Prepare, file, monitor, and represent child clients with applications for immigration relief including, but not limited to, applications for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, asylum, U “Crime Victim” visas, and T “Trafficking Victim” visas.
• Represent child clients before the Immigration Court including attending Master Calendar and Merits Hearings; filing motions, notices of appearance, change of address forms, and briefings; and communicating with the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Chief Counsel regarding clients’ matters before the Court.
• Coordinate closely within IRC’s multidisciplinary teams to identify needs and facilitate referrals to social services offered in-house and through partnerships with external providers.
• Ensure client and program data is collected and recorded consistently, managed appropriately, and reported accurately in accordance with program reporting requirements set by IRC.
• Position may supervise legal assistants and/or interns.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge and expertise of changing asylum and immigration policies as they relate to unaccompanied children through regular trainings and peer-to-peer consultation.
• Serve as a strong advocate for humanitarian immigrants.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Law degree (JD or LLM) from an ABA-accredited U.S. institution and admission to the Washington bar, required;
• At least one year experience providing direct representation in Immigration Court and/or before USCIS to asylum applicants and other immigrants seeking humanitarian relief; law school graduates with clinical legal experience may be considered;
• Experience providing legal services to children and/or working with children preferred;
• Excellent legal research, writing, analytical, and organizational skills;
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally in a courtroom setting and in writing;
• Fluency in Spanish/English, preferred. Attorneys not fluent in Spanish will attend weekly Spanish language courses.
• Deep commitment to immigrant rights and working with humanitarian immigrants;
• Trauma-informed and sensitive listening and communication skills;
• Evidence of capacity to be a strong team member in a highly collaborative and fast-paced multidisciplinary environment;
• Commitment to anti-racism and ongoing learning; and
• Must have a valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle, active insurance policy and ability to travel frequently in and around the service area to attend hearings and interviews and engage with clients and community partners.

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