Staff Attorney - Released

Kids in Need of Defense (KIND); Newark (NJ); On-site; USD 72,000 - 91,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading organization is seeking a Staff Attorney to provide legal services to unaccompanied and separated children. In this role, you'll mentor pro bono attorneys, ensure effective case management, and represent KIND in various legal settings, contributing to a mission dedicated to human rights and the protection of vulnerable populations. Candidates should have a J.D., proficiency in English and Spanish, and have a background in immigration law to support children navigating complex legal needs.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance with KIND covering 100% of premium for employee

Pre-tax flexible spending account for medical and dependent care

Employer-paid life and disability insurance

Mindfulness and Wellness Trainings

Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year of experience practicing immigration law.
• Experience working with children, preferably immigrants or refugees.
• Strong communication skills in English and Spanish.

Responsibilities

• Provides legal representation to unaccompanied children.
• Mentors pro bono attorneys and supervises non-attorney staff.
• Conducts legal research, client interviews, and court appearances.

Skills

Fluent in English and Spanish

Cultural competence

Cross-cultural communication skills

Organizational skills

Ability to multi-task

Education

J.D. and admitted to the local state

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

3 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants

Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) provided pay range

This range is provided by Kids in Need of Defense (KIND). Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

$72,122.00/yr - $90,153.00/yr

About KIND
Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) is a global leader in the protection of unaccompanied and separated children who are forcibly displaced from their countries of origin. Launched in 2008, KIND champions a world in which every child’s rights and well-being are protected throughout their journey to safety.

Building on its extensive programming and successful model in the United States, KIND is expanding in the Americas and Europe to bring its experience to bear in working with unaccompanied and separated children. Our work focuses on addressing the legal and mental health needs of this population; building strong partnerships and engaging in training and capacity strengthening with governments, NGOs, and the private sector; and advocating for systemic and pragmatic reforms to advance the rights of unaccompanied and separated children.

Position Summary
KIND seeks a Staff Attorney to provide expert legal services to unaccompanied children needing legal representation through zealous direct representation as well as pro bono facilitation, including robust consultation, training, and technical assistance to pro bono attorneys who have accepted KIND cases. As needed, supervise Senior Paralegals, Paralegals, interns, and/or other non-attorney staff. The Staff Attorney will report to the Managing Attorney, Newark - Released.

Essential Functions

• Provides both mentoring to KIND pro bono attorneys and direct legal representation to KIND clients
• In the pro bono mentoring function, provides robust consultation and technical assistance to pro bono attorneys who have accepted a KIND case
• In the direct representation function, perform ordinary functions of legal counsel including legal research and formulating the legal strategy for the case, conducting client interviews, appearing before immigration and/or state courts or agencies and drafting and filing court pleadings and applications for benefits
• Supervises interns and/or other non-attorney staff as needed including, onboarding, skills training, daily support and coaching, review and quality assurance of filings, regular check-ins and performance evaluations, and provision of consistent and effective supervision and oversight
• Places cases with pro bono attorneys and actively builds relationships between KIND and the pro bono community
• In coordination with KIND’s Training and Technical Assistance Team and the local field office Senior Attorney/s, as needed, helps develop pro bono training resources and local training curriculum, including sample filings and guidance packets; with supervision, presents trainings to pro bono attorneys and community groups
• Contributes to overall office functioning, including actively participating in field office and KIND-wide calls and meetings, field office and KIND-wide committees, and assisting with office events
• Ensures entry of timely, accurate, and detailed case data into KIND’s case management systems
• Represents KIND at local coalitions, courts, and agencies
  
  
  
  

Qualifications And Requirements

• J.D. and admitted to the local state.
• Fluent in English and Spanish
• Minimum of 1 year of experience practicing immigration law, which should include representation of clients in humanitarian immigration claims such as asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, U visas, and T visas
• Minimum of 1 year of experience working with children, preferably immigrant and refugee children, and/or working with vulnerable populations, survivors of abuse, human trafficking, or other trauma
• Experience working with law firm attorneys and/or other legal volunteers if the majority of the caseload is working directly with pro bono attorneys
• Strong record of cultural competence and cross-cultural communication skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Spanish
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suites (such as Teams, Excel, etc.).
• Ability to work collaboratively and multi-task in our KIND environment, managing numerous priorities and emerging opportunities
• Excellent organizational skills with ability to work on multiple projects in a deadline-oriented environment. Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate as appropriate
• Ability to work effectively with people of diverse backgrounds, lived experiences, and communication styles.
• Committed to prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as embracing transparency and authenticity in daily work life.
• Be disciplined and nimble to ensure delivery on our core mission of access to justice and protection of children’s wellbeing and rights
• Showing the ability to multi-task and work with a sense of urgency in a dynamic, fast paced environment
• Committed to practicing and supporting wellbeing and a work-home life balance.
• Experience working and communicating in a remote environment.
  
  
  
  

Our Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with KIND paying 100% of the employee only portion of the premium for one of the three medical plan options, dental, and vision
• Pre-tax flexible spending account (FSA) for both medical and dependent care
• Pre-tax transit and parking spending account
• Employer-paid life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment insurance
• Employer-paid short and long-term disability insurance
  
  
  
  

For a complete list of benefits, please click here.

Our Focus on Wellness

KIND recognizes that our ability to help our clients starts with helping our team members. KIND has prioritized wellness for employees through Mindfulness and Wellness Trainings, Wellness Platforms, Employee Assistance and Resilience Programs, Time Away and Office Wellness Activities.

For more information regarding our Wellness initiatives please visit this link.

Application Instructions

To be considered for this role, please submit an employment application at supportkind.org/join-the-team, along with your resume and cover letter.

Disclaimer: KIND is committed to an ethical recruitment and hiring process and maintains a firm “no fees” recruitment policy. We will never charge a fee or ask for money as part of the application process. KIND also conducts all interviews via telephone or video conference, and at no time will KIND engage in a text or mobile app-based application or interview process. For more information, please visit the following website: https://supportkind.org/join-the-team/kind-employment-practices/.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Not Applicable

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Finance and Consulting

• Industries

  Financial Services and Hospitals and Health Care

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