ProBAR - Supervising Attorney

The American Bar Association (ABA) was founded on a commitment to advance the rule of law in the United States and beyond by providing practical resources for legal professionals, conducting law school accreditation, developing model ethics codes and more. Today, the ABA remains a member-based organization that works to ensure access to justice for all, a fair legal process, and respect for the rule of law at home and across the globe.

The ABA is committed to service and refining the standards that guide the legal profession. ABA staff are provided multiple types of continuing education and career development opportunities. Your work will help eliminate bias, enhance diversity, and advance the rule of law throughout the US and around the world.

The ABA recognizes the value staff contribute to our success through a generous benefits package that protects their health and their financial security. The ABA’s wide array of benefit offerings include 401(k), medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, health spending accounts, supplemental life and disability insurance, prepaid legal programs, and a complimentary membership to the American Bar Association, which offers additional benefits.

Flexible/hybrid work arrangements may be available for residents of CA, DC, IL, IN, IA, MD, MI, MN, TX, VA, and WI. Residency requirements may apply. ABA employees are eligible to apply for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).


The Supervising Attorneys for ProBAR's Children's Team lead and mentor passionate advocates who serve some of the highest numbers of detained unaccompanied children nationally. By joining our team, you will have a unique opportunity to use your expertise to shape how we implement services and to develop litigation and advocacy strategies to support the incredibly resilient children we serve. The team's legal advocacy and representation are complemented by ProBAR's holistic approach that integrates connections to services for children released from detention.


The Organization

ProBAR empowers immigrants through high-quality legal information, representation, and connections to services. ProBAR serves immigrants in the Rio Grande Valley and Houston regions with a particular focus on the legal needs of adults and unaccompanied children in federal custody. Founded in 1989 as a project of the American Bar Association, ProBAR’s primary office is located in Harlingen, TX with a field office in Houston, TX. For more information about ProBAR, please visit our website: https://abaprobar.org/


Job Summary / General Purpose of Job

Accountable for hiring, training, and overseeing the work of Senior Attorneys, Staff Attorneys, Fellows, Accredited Representatives, Paralegals, and Legal Assistants. Ensures compliance with current funding contract(s) as to the provision of legal services to detained immigrant adults or detained unaccompanied minors. This position will require regular involvement with individuals living in difficult circumstances and who may have experienced trauma. This position duration is for a period of three months. It is contingent upon funding availability, and ProBAR anticipates funding to extend through Fall of 2026. This position may report out the Harlingen or Houston offices. A remote position for an applicant in Texas is also an option. The primary work travel will be to Nueces County.


Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities (listed in order of importance and/or time spent)

• Hires, trains, mentors, and oversees the work of Senior Attorneys, Staff Attorneys, Accredited Representatives, Paralegals, and Legal Assistants.
• Routinely reports to Legal Director and other senior leaders regarding issues related to the provision of legal services for detained immigrant adults and/or unaccompanied children.
• Develops litigation and defense strategies to address case-related challenges.
• Provides technical case assistance to Legal Department staff and seeks and develops opportunities for training in relevant issue areas to further legal work.
• Performs regular case audits to ensure proper case management and data integrity.
• In coordination with leadership, develops and implements team building and other staff retention measures.
• Provides coaching, counseling, leadership, and performance feedback, and, where appropriate, applies performance improvement and discipline strategies.
• Maintains and develops materials and documents in support of the legal staff.
• Supports the Legal Director and other senior leaders in developing and implementing management and programmatic strategies that ensure compliance with funding deliverables.
• In collaboration with the Legal Director and other senior leaders, prepares narrative reports and documentation required for program deliverables.
• Frequent t