ProBAR – Senior Staff Attorney TX-CA
Req #855
COVID-19 vaccination is required as a condition of employment (requests for reasonable accommodations for medical or religious reasons will be considered).
During this current situation with COVID-19, the ABA will
continue to accept and process applications for job opportunities. We
will conduct our recruitment process via alternative means (virtual interviews)
for the time being.
The ABA recruits employees seeking opportunities for challenging and substantive work defending liberty and pursuing justice in the U.S. and around the world. The ABA offers competitive employment benefits which include medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k), commuter benefits, and more.
ProBAR is an organization dedicated to empowering immigrants on the frontlines of immigration policies and detention. Senior Staff Attorneys for ProBAR’s Children’s Team lead and mentor passionate advocates who serve some of the highest numbers of detained unaccompanied children nationally. The team’s legal advocacy and representation are complemented by ProBAR’s holistic approach that integrates connections to services for children released from detention.
Job Summary/ General Purpose of Job
Provides legal services to detained unaccompanied children in immigration removal proceedings in the South Texas border region. Serves as mentor and leader to staff attorneys, legal interns, legal support staff and volunteers, including by maintaining current materials and trainings on legal services. This position will require regular involvement with individuals’ living in difficult circumstances and who may have experienced trauma.
Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities (listed in order of importance and/or time spent)
- Mentors Staff Attorneys by providing advice and direction on their cases. Assists in the training and mentoring of attorneys, legal support staff and other legal volunteers.
- Champions a collaborative office culture by example and fosters opportunities for learning and teamwork.
- Reviews legal screenings and assigns follow-up services, including additional interviewing of children, referrals to other legal services providers and advocates, and direct representation.
- Develops and maintains legal competency relating to immigration detention work, specifically as applied to unaccompanied children. Responds to project requests from ProBAR’s leadership by completing assigned duties, delegating, and ensuring the delivery of outcomes.
- Observes ethical practices relating to client confidentiality and all other applicable legal ethics standards. Maintains case files, documentation and data integrity using division’s case management system.
- Regularly appears in immigration court to represent children in removal proceedings and to act as Friend of Court for other detained youth as appropriate.
- Represent clients in Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship (“SAPCR”), and dependency and guardianship matters before Texas county courts.
- Serves as a facilitator between detention facilities and ProBAR staff as needed. Builds and maintains relationships with local stakeholders. Serves as a facilitator among teams and groups within the legal department.
- Participates in cross-functional team collaborations, demonstrating cultural awareness, and promoting a positive and respectful work atmosphere in a fast-paced and detailed-oriented environment.
- Must be familiar with conducting virtual meetings, training, and observations on videoconferencing software such as Zoom, Teams, etc.
- Performs other related duties as required.
- Possession of a Juris Doctorate from an ABA-accredited law school.
- One or more years of experience representing clients, preferably in immigration matters.
- Licensed and in good standing to practice law by the State Bar of Texas.
- Experience practicing in SAPCR, family, or guardianship cases in Texas state court.
- Fluent in English and Spanish in both written and spoken forms.
- Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office products.
- Must be able to pick up on client verbal and non-verbal cues.
- Must have reliable internet and phone connection.
- Must have reliable transportation to travel to off-site work locations.
- This position requires the ability to travel to and enter care provider facilities funded by the Office of Refugee Resettlement, Administration for Children and Families, United States Department of Health and Human Services which provide housing and services to unaccompanied children. This position will require the provision of legal services to unaccompanied children in such care provider facilities. In accordance with federal regulations, a background check is required for this position.
Preferred Education, Qualifications, Experience
- Two or more years of experience with at least one year in immigration matters and one year practicing in SAPCR, family, or guardianship cases in Texas state court.
- Prior work experience with children, particularly from Central America, including Mayan language-speaking populations.
- Prior volunteer, community, or work experience regarding immigration, refugees, or detention.
- Prior non-profit experience, particularly involving immigration detention.
Benefits and Incentives Offered
Women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with the American Bar Association please call 956-365-3775 or contact [email protected].
Flexible/hybrid work arrangements may be available for residents of CA, IL, IN, DC, MD, VA, and TX. Residency requirements may apply.
Other details
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Pay Type
Salary -
Travel %
15
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