Supervising Attorney

U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI); Houston (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) in Houston, TX seeks a Supervising Attorney for UAC Legal Services to lead legal work under an ORR grant.

The role involves supervising Staff Attorneys and Legal Assistants, conducting legal orientations, and providing direct representation in Immigration Court for unaccompanied children in ORR care. The ideal candidate will have a J.D., state bar admission, and at least 5 years in removal defense representing UAC, with supervisory

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in good standing with a state bar.
• Minimum 5 years of removal defense experience representing UAC.
• Prior experience working with children and/or youth.
• Minimum of 2 years of supervision experience, supervising Attorneys and/or staff.
• Excellent legal research, writing, and editing skills.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Supervise Staff Attorneys and Legal Assistants in the assigned region.
• Oversee the caseloads of Staff Attorneys.
• Legal Orientation/Legal Consultations: oversee and conduct orientations for UAC in shelters.
• Direct Representation of UAC: immigration court representation (Master Calendar hearings, Individual hearings, Motions, etc.) and related visa applications.
• All duties may include additional tasks as required by the supervisor.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Project management

Mentoring

Spanish proficiency

Education

J.D. from an accredited law school

Job description

The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI), established in 1911, is a nongovernmental, not-for-profit international organization dedicated to addressing the needs and rights of refugees and immigrants. USCRI, working with nearly 200 affiliates, provides legal, social, and health services to refugees, unaccompanied migrating children, trafficking survivors, and other immigrants in all 50 states, El Salvador, Honduras, Kenya, and Mexico. USCRI advocates for the rights of refugees and immigrants both nationally and globally, helping to drive humanitarian policies, practices, and law. To learn more about our work, please visit our website at www.refugees.org .

Overview

Supervising Attorney, UAC Legal Services, supports the newly awarded grant from ORR to provide direct legal services to UAC (Unaccompanied Alien Children) who are currently in ORR care. Tasks included are legal orientations, legal consultations, direct legal representation, data collection, analysis and reporting.

The Supervising Attorney will supervise Staff Attorneys and Legal Assistants in the corresponding region, oversee legal orientations, provide legal consultations and direct legal representation to UAC in ORR care.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Supervise Staff Attorneys and Legal Assistants
  • Oversee the caseloads of Staff Attorneys in the assigned region.
  • Oversee legal assistants in the assigned region.
  • Mentor and guide Staff Attorneys and legal assistants as needed.
• Legal Orientation/Legal Consultations
  • Oversee and as needed conduct legal orientations, which are presentations concerning the rights and responsibilities of UAC in the immigration system. These will occur in shelters where children are located.
  • Conduct legal consultations: meet with UAC and assess options related to their legal case.
• Direct Representation of UAC
  • Provide direct legal representation to UAC who are currently in ORR care and who have not left the United States.
  • Representation will include but is not limited to:
  • Immigration Court Representation: including Master Calendar Hearings, Individual Hearings, Motions (Motions to Continue, Motions to Terminate, Motions to Change Venue, etc.), Voluntary Departure
  • SIJS
  • Asylum, affirmative and Defensive
  • T visas
  • U visas
  • VAWA
  • Adjustment of Status
  • TPS
  • EADs

All of the above duties and responsibilities are essential job functions. All job duties indicated are not be considered an exhaustive statement and other job-related duties may be assigned as required by the supervisor(s).

Requirements

• J.D. from an accredited law school
• Active membership in good standing with a state bar
• Minimum 5 years of removal defense experience representing UAC
• Prior experience working with children and/or youth
• Minimum of 2 years of supervision experience, supervising Attorneys and/or staff
• Excellent legal research, writing, and editing skills
• Strong organizational, analytical, and project management skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Spanish proficiency
• Demonstrated support for USCRI’s values by exhibiting respect for others, maintaining confidential information and an appreciation of a multicultural workplace.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Such accommodations must be requested by the applicant to be considered.

Additional Notes

• Work Location: In-person.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants is an equal opportunity employer. We maintain a policy of equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, domestic partnership status, marital status, physical or mental disability, AIDS/HIV status, age, political affiliation, genetic information, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.