Senior Attorney

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.
KIND seeks a Staff Attorney to provide expert legal services to unaccompanied children facing removal proceedings 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, in the Hartford, CT field office.  
This is a temporary position with an expected end date of September 29, 2024. Despite the temporary nature of the role, we are pleased to offer a competitive benefits package.

Essential Functions

• Oversees paralegals ensuring the provision of high-quality intakes and legal orientations for unaccompanied children residing in immigration detention facilities; reviews legal screenings conducted by paralegals to determine children's preliminary eligibility for immigration relief. 
• Makes "friend-of-the-court" appearances on the juvenile detained docket in Immigration Court on behalf of detained children; enters representation in certain cases. 
• Communicates regularly with shelter staff regarding the status of children in detention; advocates for alternative placements on behalf of children who are in danger of "aging out" of ORR care or seeking placement in long-term foster care facilities. 
• As needed, represents a smaller docket of children in their applications for relief who do not have reunification options and must remain longer in detention. 
• Once children are released locally from detention, provides zealous direct legal representation to children in their removal proceedings and in their applications for immigration relief. In certain cases, depending on experience, caseload, and organizational priorities, places those cases with pro bono attorneys and provide robust consultation and technical assistance to pro bono attorneys. The percentage of mentoring and direct representation caseloads will be determined by management in the Legal Programs component. 
• Performs ordinary functions of legal counsel providing direct representation, including legal research, and formulating the legal strategy for the case; conducts client interviews; appears before immigration and/or state court or agencies, and drafts and files court pleadings and applications for benefits. 
• Places cases with pro bono attorneys and 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 training to pro bono attorneys and community groups. 
• Ensures entry of timely, accurate, and detailed case data into KIND’s case management systems. 
• Contributes to overall office functioning, including joining field office and KIND-wide calls and meetings, participating in the field office and KIND-wide committees, and assisting with office events. 
• As needed, supervises Senior Paralegals, Paralegals, interns, and/or other non-legal staff 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. 

Qualifications and Requirements

• J.D. and admitted to the local state bar. 
• Fluent in English and Spanish. 
• Minimum of 1 year 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 experience working with children, preferably immigrant and refugee children, or experience working with vulnerable populations, survivors of abuse, human trafficking, or oth