MILAP Staff Attorney- Detained

Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland; Salisbury (MD); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 93,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401k plan

Paid holidays

Hybrid in-person/remote work

Job summary

Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland (PBRC) seeks a fluent-Spanish attorney to join the Maryland Immigrant Legal Assistance Project. The role focuses on detention-prevention services, on-the-spot brief immigration advice, and potential habeas petitions, serving detained or at-risk individuals in Maryland.

The attorney will mentor volunteers, staff detention-prevention clinics up to 2 days per week, and collaborate with a Project Paralegal and partners. Some statewide travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Fluency in Spanish required.
• Two years' experience representing detained immigrants in removal proceedings preferred.
• Bar admission in at least one state.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Ability to work with diverse partners.

Responsibilities

• Develop detention prevention materials, workflow, and client resources.
• Provide immigration legal services to detained individuals in Maryland, especially those at the Baltimore Hold Room.
• Staff detention prevention clinics with the Project Paralegal; manage intake and client flow.
• Track and summarize client data and outcomes.
• Coordinate with Project Director and partners; attend weekly staff meetings.
• Provide pro se assistance to unrepresented respondents.
• Develop new materials as the program expands and maintains a network of community partners.
• Support partner education and outreach activities across clinics.

Skills

Spanish fluency

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Education

Bar admission

Job description

Job Summary: The Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland, Inc. (PBRC) is seeking a highly motivated, organized, and bright attorney who is fluent in Spanish to join the Maryland Immigrant Legal Assistance Project to help increase access to PBRC’s immigration legal services for individuals who are detained or at risk of detention because they have to check-in with ICE. The Project is looking for a new team member who is comfortable working in a fast-paced setting to offer on-the-spot brief legal advice related to immigration cases and who will mentor volunteers unfamiliar with immigration law. The member will also provide direct limited-scope legal services, with a focus on services which may prevent an individual’s detention (e.g. a letter explaining someone’s equities/need to remain in the community) or collaborating with other attorneys to prepare and file a habeas petition. It is important that this individual have ready access to transportation to downtown Baltimore as the primary focus of the position will be to help field requests for services from individuals who are held at the Baltimore Hold Room and potentially help draft a request for habeas that can be filed before the individual is transferred out of Maryland. Depending upon policy changes, the individual selected may also need to travel to other areas within Maryland where individuals are detained by ICE. The selected individual will also have regular in-person clinic days during which they will provide detention prevention services to those who are checking‑in with ICE up to 2 days per week, depending upon the volume of requests received by those who are detained. Mentorship and training will be offered.

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop the materials, workflow, and client resources related to providing detention prevention services to those at risk of detention.
• Provide immigration legal services to individuals detained within Maryland, primarily those held at the Baltimore Hold Room.
• Work with the Project Paralegal to staff detention prevention legal clinics to assist with intake, obtain necessary client paperwork, manage flow of clients, direct immigrants to additional resources, and support volunteers (if volunteers are incorporated into this initiative).
• Track and/or summarize data related to clients served at the clinic.
• Communicate regularly with the Project Director about these services.
• Provide pro se legal assistance to unrepresented respondents.
• Assist in the development of any new materials needed to expand services as the program grows.
• Work with Project Director to maintain and develop network of community partners.
• Attend weekly meetings with other project staff to coordinate services across the project’s various clinics.
• Attend partner meetings and provide partner education to other organizations either providing legal services or conducting outreach activities for the project.
• Additional responsibilities, as deemed necessary, in support of the Project’s mission to ensure statewide recruitment and coordination of high-quality pro bono immigration legal services for immigrants who are detained or at risk of detention.

Qualifications

• Fluency in the Spanish language is required.
• Two years of experience representing detained immigrants in removal proceedings preferred.
• Admission to practice before at least one state bar.
• Strong attention to detail and excellent organizational and record-keeping skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work well with a variety of people, including other staff, volunteers, clients, and public interest partners.
• Strong commitment to helping the community and ensuring equal access to justice.

Amenities

• Competitive salary ranging from $85,000 - $92,500, depending on experience
• Full-time position with excellent benefits package including paid health insurance, disability insurance, and employer-matched 401k plan; paid sick and vacation leave; and paid holidays
• Hybrid in person/remote work

PBRC’s mission is to champion equitable access to justice for Maryland's marginalized communities by providing legal help, pioneering collaboration with partners, and advocating for economic and social justice.

PBRC is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity. We encourage all interested persons to apply including applicants of color, people with disabilities, and others historically underrepresented.

Flexible work from home options available.