Managing Attorney, Children’s Legal Services

JOB OVERVIEW:

IRC Dallas seeks a Managing Attorney to lead its comprehensive Children’s Legal Services program. The Dallas office provides legal services and direct representation to unaccompanied children detained within the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), placed in the Unaccompanied Refugee Minor’s (URM) program, and released from ORR custody to sponsors in the DFW area.

The Managing Attorney, Children’s Legal Services, will oversee a team of attorneys, legal assistants and social services coordinators to serve vulnerable children in removal proceedings. The program provides legal services for unaccompanied children and direct representation including representation in immigration court, before the USCIS Asylum Office, and in state court proceedings. The Managing Attorney will bring not only legal expertise and a passion for this area of work, but also the ability to motivate and mentor a team of legal professionals in a dynamic and fast-paced, multi-disciplinary environment. The position will work in collaboration with community partners and will be part of the Children’s Legal Services Community of Practice, led by IRC’s Immigration Technical Unit (TU) at IRC’s headquarters, which supports IRC’s 24 legal service programs across the US.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Oversee legal strategy through daily direct supervision of a team of legal practitioners, including attorneys, DOJ accredited representatives, legal assistants and social services coordinators, with potential to grow the team to meet ongoing unmet demand for children’s immigration legal services.
• Provide direct legal representation to a limited caseload of unaccompanied children in immigration court, before the Board of Immigration Appeals, and/or before USCIS where applicable, including on applications for asylum, relief under the Convention of Torture and withholding of removal, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), U-visas, T-visas, and adjustment of status. Initiate proceedings in state court for child clients as needed.
• Develop and monitor intake procedures in accordance with the program operating plan developed with the funder.
• Employ adaptive management techniques to provide regular individual supervision and support; mentor staff, set clear performance expectations and goals, give regular performance feedback, help prioritize workloads, help troubleshoot challenges, and maintain appropriate professional development plans.
• Engage regularly with Acacia Center for Justice, the contractor and funding organization for this program, and identify technical assistance and training needs for program staff.
• Actively co-facilitate and support grant opening, grant review, and grant closing meetings, and lead all aspects of grant cycle, including developing/implementing monitoring & evaluation plans.
• Ensure program data is collected consistently, managed appropriately and reported timely, using IRC’s legal case management database and other relevant case management systems.
• Ensure effective integration of internships and volunteers within programs.
• Collaborate with other IRC program areas as appropriate to ensure client-centered service.
• Establish, maintain, and periodically refresh legal services program policies and procedures in collaboration with IRC’s Legal Services Technical Unit; oversee and/or conduct regular case file reviews (paper files and electronic case files) to ensure compliance with legal case management procedures.
• Create and maintain a viable outreach strategy to cultivate and maintain strong relationships with community-based organizations, government stakeholders, the private bar, and nonprofit legal providers; pursue program initiatives with partners that further goals and address unmet demand.
• Serve as an in-house expert on US immigration law by updating internal IRC colleagues on changes in immigration law affecting IRC’s clients as needed.
• Work closely with the HQ Legal Services Technical Unit and other program offices as part of IRC’s immigration network.
• Serve as a strong advocate for humanitarian immigrants.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

Position Reports to: IRC Legal Services Director. Position liaises closely with HQ Legal Services Technical Unit.

Position Directly Supervises: Children’s Supervising Attorneys, Lead Case Manager, and Program Coordinator.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Law degree (JD or LLM) from an ABA-accredited U.S. institution and member in good standing of the Texas state bar (or willingness to seek admission to Texas state bar);
• 5 years’ experience or more providing direct representation in immigration court and before USCIS to unaccompanied minors, asylum applicants and other immigrants seeking relief from removal;
• Experience working with children and/or other survivors of trauma. Strong legal supervision skills and superb legal judgment;
• Ability to oversee and provide supervision on a reasonably high case volume and work under time pressure;
• Experience organizing and facilitating immigration workshops and immigration information sessions;
• Program and grant management experience;
• Ability to understand and implement programming that meets federal funding compliance requirements;
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills;
• Bilingual in Spanish/English, required;
• Deep commitment to working with humanitarian immigrants;
• Trauma-informed and sensitive listening and communication skills;
• Desire to join a team working to protect due process and immigrant rights;
• 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.

Working Environment:

• Standard office environment with occasional participation in community outreach and legal assistance events. Hybrid, flexible work options available.
• May require occasional weekend and/or evening work.

Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

US Benefits: The IRC offers a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. All US employees are eligible for sick time, a 403b retirement savings plans: up to 4.5% immediately vested matching contribution, plus an 3-7% additional IRC contribution, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

In addition, full-time employees are eligible for 10 US paid holidays, 20-25 paid time off days, disability & life insurance, medical, dental, and vision insurance (employee contribution starting at $135, $7, and $5 per month respectively) and FSA for healthcare, childcare, and commuter costs. Part-time employees are eligible for a proportionate amount of paid time off. These additional benefits apply to employees who work at least 6 months within a 12-month time period.