Managing Attorney- Direct Representation, Detained Adult Program

Description

Who We Are

The Amica Center for Immigrant Rights fights for the rights, safety, and unity of immigrant communities, standing with those trapped in our nation’s fundamentally flawed immigration system. We engage in unwavering legal defense and strategic litigation for immigrant children and adults facing detention and deportation in the Capital Region and beyond, because everyone has the right to be free, safe, and supported. 

Our Work Environment

Amica Center’s Programs provide trauma-informed, person-centered legal services to adults and children impacted by immigration detention across the Capital Region and beyond. Serving hundreds of detained adults each year and offering legal orientation, screening, and representation to detained and formerly detained children, our work centers client autonomy, dignity, and holistic support within a fundamentally unjust system. Both programs operate in deeply collaborative environments that emphasize interconnectivity across teams, professional growth, mentorship, and adaptability. Staff bring deep expertise to a complex and evolving immigration system, working together through shared learning, innovation, and advocacy to advance the rights and wellbeing of the people we serve. 

Position Summary

A Direct Representation Managing Attorney in the Detained Adult Program focuses on (i) supervision of attorneys providing direct legal services under a universal representation model to immigrant adults held in facilities in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and elsewhere outside the DMV region, (ii) ensuring that program staff provide excellent and efficient services to clients, and (iii) departmental programmatic support with all other DAP managers. 

General Duties and Responsibilities [1]

Supervision:

• Directly supervise Senior Staff Attorneys, Staff Attorneys, and other staff as needed.
• Provide oversight and mentoring to staff and senior attorneys and paralegals on direct representation cases, including supervision and assistance of (i) case strategy, including researching, engaging, and preparing experts on health, behavioral health, and country conditions, (ii) trial preparation, and (iii) case load management.
• Visit clients detained by ICE in detention facilities as necessary. Provide oversight and mentoring to staff and senior attorneys and paralegals on the preparation of Post Release Plans and social service plans, in coordination with social services staff. 
• Support direct reports in their supervision of staff attorneys and paralegals 
• Ensure everyone in management structure is complying with all organizational and grant required metrics, data tracking, file management, etc. 

Representation:

• This is largely a non-representational role, but candidates may be expected to handle a minimal caseload. For candidates whose professional development goals include continued representation of detained individuals, some amount of direct representation is possible.
• Provide expert mentoring to outside attorneys representing detained immigrants on a pro bono basis. 
• Visit clients detained by ICE in detention facilities as necessary.

Organizational Services:

• Provide oversight and management of significant aspects of the program, including grant management and tracking, in coordination with the program directors, deputy program directors, and other managers.
• Work with program management to set long-term program plans.
• With other Managing Attorneys and program leadership to ensure that the program is kept abreast of new developments in the law and that junior staff are adequality trained on the law.
• Interface with leadership of other Amica Center programs to ensure cross-program information and strategy sharing.
• Take part in stakeholder relationship activities, including in-person and remote meetings with community groups, governmental bodies and representatives, detention center staff, and other legal service providers. 
• Oversee the inputting and accuracy of data and case information into shared databases in a timely fashion for oneself and program staff in your supervision matrix. 
• Assist other program staff in completion of their workload during high-work/low-bandwidth periods.

[1] This list is illustrative and not intended to be a complete classification of all job functions or tasks.

Requirements

Qualifications Required:

• JD and active license to practice law in any US state or jurisdiction;
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in immigration law, including removal defense and detention;
• Strong candidates will have 1-3 years experience in detained removal defense. 
• At least 3 years of supervision experience; preference for relevant experience in project management; 
• Written and oral Spanish proficiency required; fluency strongly preferred;

At Amica Center, we embrace the fact that talented individuals come from diverse backgrounds and life experiences. We believe that diversity in all dimensions of the organization supports and bolsters the innovative thinking essential to our success. Amica Center values your unique perspectives, skills, and potential, and we are committed to providing equal opportunities for growth and development. If you are passionate about Amica Center's mission and are excited to contribute your talents to our team, we encourage you to submit your application. Candidates from traditionally underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply. If you are a candidate with a disability and require accommodations to apply for this position, please contact us at [email protected].

Competencies Required:

Legal Proficiency

The employee demonstrates a mastery of immigration law and legal procedure and can deploy innovative and thoughtful approaches to assisting clients. The employee stays abreast of developments in the law and ensures that their supervisees are trained in new developments.

Client and Programmatic Proficiency

The employee proficiently helps to manage all programmatic obligations. The employee proficiently manages their workload and the caseloads of the staff they supervise. The employee skillfully supervises their staff and ensures that staff are in a position to grow professionally.

Administrative

The employee ensures that all administrative aspects of their position (and their supervisees’ positions), attendant to the provision of services to clients, are carried out without managerial intervention, including timekeeping, file upkeep, database upkeep, etc. 

Salary: $100,000-$115,000 commensurate with experience

Position Type: Full-time, exempt 

Report To: Deputy Program Director 

Hiring Timeline: Applications reviewed on a rolling basis. Application deadline: November 27

Supervisory Responsibility: Directly supervises a limited number of staff on a direct representation team (usually senior staff and/or staff carrying out key program functions, including attorneys, paralegals, and administrative staff), and provides overall leadership and back-up support to the team's other supervisors. 

Location and/or Travel Requirements: This position will be based at the Washington, D.C. or Baltimore, M.D. Office. Travel to the area when needed for hearings, jail visits, and programmatic meetings is required. 

Telework: Amica Center operates a hybrid work environment where staff are required to work at least one day per week in-office, but some roles require more office/on-site attendance or travel. 

Benefits: Amica Center offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, flexible spending account, life insurance and pre-tax commuter benefits for those living in the DMV. 

Paid Time Off: Amica Center provides personal, sick and volunteer time off, federal holidays, winter break closure and parental leave. 

EEO Statement: Amica Center for Immigrant Rights is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with anti-discrimination law, it is the purpose of this policy to effectuate these principles and mandates. Amica Center prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Amica Center conforms to the spirit as well as to the letter of all applicable laws and regulations. 

Our Anti-Racism Statement: To learn more about our anti-racism statement- https://amicacenter.org/becoming-anti-racist/

COVID-19 Vaccination: All employees are required to be fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19. To be fully vaccinated means having completed the full dosages required for the type of vaccine obtained as designated by the CDC. If boosters are subsequently recommended by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) then employees will be required to receive the booster within thirty (30) days of their eligibility to access the boosters. 

How to Apply: Submit your resume, cover letter and writing sample that explains your interest in this role with your Paylocity submission. Please refrain from sending application materials separately via email.