United States onlyAbout 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, Family Unity, situated within the Legal Strategy and Special Programs component of KIND's Legal Programs Team. The incumbent will provide expert legal services to unaccompanied children and reunified families 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, the incumbent will supervise Senior Paralegals, Paralegals, interns, and/or other non-attorney staff. The Staff Attorney, Family Unity will report to the Senior Attorney, Family Unity.
This is a remote position based from any location in the U.S.
This position is contingent upon continued funding.
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, performs 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.
- Under the supervision of the team's Senior leadership, works with KIND’s Policy and Communication teams work to engage outside partners, stakeholders, and media on the specific policy and legal issues that comprise the focus of the Family Separation and Special Programs Team's work, as required. Places cases with pro bono attorneys and actively build relationships between KIND and the pro bono community, and provide ongoing expert mentoring, training and technical assistance on children's cases and reunified family cases.
- Provides technical assistance to field office staff representing released and detained separated children and reunified families.
- 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, present 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 state bar.
- Fluent in English and Spanish (for direct communication with the children we serve and their caregivers, the majority of whom are Spanish speaking).
- Minimum of 3 years 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.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Spanish (for direct communication with the children we serve and their caregivers, the majority of whom are Spanish speaking).
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (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 the ability to work on multiple projects in a deadline-oriented environment; ability to prioritize tasks and delegate as appropriate.
- Ability to multitask 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 preferred but not required.
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/.
