Supervising Attorney

Job Posting Organization:
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a global humanitarian organization that responds to the world's worst crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Established in 1933, the IRC has grown to operate in over 40 countries and 26 U.S. cities, employing more than 14,000 staff members. The organization is dedicated to helping refugees and displaced individuals by providing essential services such as legal assistance, health care, education, and economic support. The IRC's mission is to restore safety, dignity, and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of immigrants and refugees, advocating for their needs, and ensuring they have access to the resources necessary for successful integration into their new communities.

Job Overview:
The Supervising Attorney position at the IRC in Dallas is a critical role that focuses on providing legal representation and supervision for unaccompanied children who are either detained or have been released. This position requires an experienced immigration lawyer who is adept at navigating the complexities of law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">immigration law, particularly as it pertains to children. The Supervising Attorney will be responsible for overseeing a team of attorneys and legal assistants, ensuring that they provide high-quality legal services to clients. This includes direct representation in immigration court, before the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and in state court proceedings. The role also involves collaborating with community partners and participating in IRC's Children's Legal Services Community of Practice, which aims to enhance the legal support provided to vulnerable children. The ideal candidate will possess a strong commitment to immigrant rights and a passion for working with youth and unaccompanied minors, demonstrating superb legal judgment and ethical standards.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Supervising Attorney include, but are not limited to: supervising a team of attorneys, legal assistants, and DOJ Accredited representatives who serve detained and released unaccompanied child clients; conducting and overseeing intakes with child clients to identify appropriate immigration relief options such as Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), asylum, cancellation of removal, VAWA, U-visa, and T-visa; providing direct legal representation for unaccompanied children released to sponsors in the Atlanta Metro area before USCIS and immigration courts; initiating state court proceedings for children eligible for SIJS; offering legal training and technical assistance to in-house staff, pro bono attorneys, and community partners; coordinating with IRC’s multidisciplinary teams to identify client needs and facilitate referrals to services; ensuring accurate and consistent management of client and program data in accordance with reporting requirements; maintaining up-to-date knowledge of changing asylum and immigration policies; advocating for humanitarian immigrants; and participating in community coalitions related to immigrant rights.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the Supervising Attorney position include a law degree (JD or LLM) from an ABA-accredited U.S. institution and being a member in good standing of the Texas bar. Candidates should have a minimum of 5 years of experience providing direct representation in immigration court and/or before USCIS, particularly for asylum applicants and other immigrants seeking humanitarian relief. Additionally, at least 2 years of experience providing direct representation before state courts in support of SIJS petitions is required. Experience working with unaccompanied children or providing legal services to this demographic is preferred. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to promote an organizational culture that reflects IRC’s core values, possess excellent research, writing, analytical, and organizational skills, and have the capacity to communicate effectively in both oral and written forms.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a law degree (JD or LLM) from an ABA-accredited institution. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of immigration law and for providing effective legal representation to clients. Additionally, being a member in good standing of the Texas bar is a requirement for this position, ensuring that the attorney is qualified to practice law in the state and can represent clients in legal proceedings.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of experience in providing direct representation in immigration court and/or before USCIS, with a strong preference for candidates who have experience working with asylum seekers and other immigrants seeking humanitarian relief. Furthermore, candidates should have at least 2 years of experience in providing direct representation before state courts, specifically in relation to SIJS petitions. Experience working with unaccompanied children is highly desirable, as it demonstrates the candidate's ability to navigate the unique challenges faced by this vulnerable population.

Languages:
Fluency in English, both spoken and written, is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in Spanish is desired, as it would enhance communication with a broader range of clients and stakeholders. The ability to communicate effectively in both languages is crucial for providing comprehensive legal services to immigrant children and their families.

Additional Notes:
The Supervising Attorney position is based in Dallas, Texas, and may involve a combination of standard office work, remote work, and field time within the service delivery area. Occasional domestic travel may be required, and candidates should be prepared for potential weekend and evening work. The compensation for this position is set at $71,415.00, with rates applicable to U.S.-based candidates. Compensation is determined based on various factors, including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget considerations. The IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, considering all applicants based on merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Benefits for short-term employees in the U.S. include a 403b retirement savings plan with immediate vesting and matching, sick leave, and access to an Employee Assistance Program for staff and their families.