Senior Attorney- Pro Bono, Detained Adult Program

Who We Are
The Amica Center for Immigrant Rights (Amica Center), previously known as CAIR Coalition, is the only non-profit organization in the Washington, D.C. area that is exclusively focused on providing legal assistance to adult and child immigrants detained by the government in the Capital Region and beyond.

The Detained Adult Program (DAP) works with hundreds of adults who are detained by ICE each year, providing information, support, and legal representation. We provide trauma-sensitive, person-centered services, and deeply value the autonomy of the people we work with in detention as they navigate the fundamentally inhumane immigration system.

Our Work Environment
The Detained Adult Program (DAP) works with hundreds of adults who are detained by ICE each year, providing information, support, and legal representation. We provide trauma-sensitive, person-centered services, and deeply value the autonomy of the people we work with in detention as they navigate the fundamentally inhumane immigration system. DAP provides legal representation to detained immigrants regardless of their criminal history and immigration procedural postures.

Amica Center’s Detained Adult Program is a highly collaborative work environment. Each team lead works directly with a focused team, but all colleagues are interconnected through, for example, case workshops or staff-run committees.

DAP staff are a source of expertise in the highly complex and ever-changing immigration system. They have persisted through administration changes, policy shifts, and attacks on the rights and freedoms of immigrants through project-focused cohorts that arise to address challenges or to brainstorm and implement affirmative strategies.

About NILRA
The National Immigrant Legal Responders Alliance (NILRA) is a nationwide initiative dedicated to strengthening the immigration legal field’s capacity to respond to mass arrests, detentions, and deportations. NILRA brings together frontline legal providers—nonprofit organizations, pro bono partners, and private attorneys—to coordinate efforts to expand access to high-quality legal support for targeted communities, particularly individuals in immigration custody.

Amid unprecedented attacks on immigrant rights, fast-tracked removals, and expanded detention, NILRA works to bolster the field by increasing the number of attorneys equipped to represent detained individuals. A core strategy is pairing pro bono attorneys with experienced mentors and providing responsive technical assistance to ensure detained individuals receive fair hearings and protection from unlawful transfers or deportations without due process.

Position Summary
The Senior Attorney (Pro Bono Mentorship) focuses on providing mentorship and technical assistance to volunteer attorneys through NILRA who have agreed to provide representation to detained immigrants free of charge.

General Duties and Responsibilities [1]
Pro Bono Mentorship:
• Manages a caseload of pro bono mentorship, mentoring pro bono attorneys in habeas proceedings in federal district court and in detained removal proceedings before various immigration courts, the Board of Immigration Appeals, and federal courts.
• This includes providing technical assistance on topics including detention and bond, habeas corpus, asylum, withholding of removal, protection under the Convention Against Torture, cancellation of removal, and the immigration consequences of criminal convictions.
• Maintain records of pro bono cases to enable complete grant reporting and case management.
Representation:
• This is largely a non-representational role. Generally, candidates may handle a minimal caseload aligned with their professional development goals. For candidates whose professional development goals include continued representation of detained individuals, some amount of direct representation is possible.
Other:
• Participate in stakeholder relationship activities, including the training of pro bono attorneys on common topics in habeas and removal defense.

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

Additional Role-Specific Details:
Position Type
Full-time, exempt position

Reports To
Managing Attorney

Supervisory Responsibility
None

Hiring Timeline
Applications will be accepted and offers made on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Salary [2]
$67,800-$110,000
[2] In 2018 Amica Center implemented a compensation framework to be more straightforward, transparent, and provide assurance of internal equity. The compensation model we use is based on an individual's position and years of relevant work experience to avoid salary discrepancies and to reduce the risk of racial, gender, or other forms of bias affecting a candidate's salary.

Location and/or Travel Requirements
This position can be based anywhere in the continental United States but will be expected to be generally available during Eastern business hours.

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

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

Benefits
Amica Center’s benefits package includes:
• Free gym access located in Washington, D.C or Baltimore, MD (dependent on employee’s primary office)
• Flexible working hours after successful completion of trainings and with approval of supervisor
• Pre-tax commuter benefits for those living in the DMV
• Subsidized health, dental insurance, and vision insurance (Amica Center pays a very high rate of the insurance package, for which we can provide additional information)
• Eligibility for data reimbursement payments totaling: $300 on an annual basis
• Life Insurance valued at $50,000, as well as long- and short-term disability
• The option to set up a Flexible Spending Account
• High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a one-time employer contribution of $350 to the Health Savings Account (HSA)
• The option to set up a 403(b) account (the equivalent of a 401(k) account for non-profits) which the organization has the option, for all employees on an annual basis, to match at a certain percentage after one year of continuous employment

Paid time off includes:
• 23 personal days per calendar year
• Up to 20 days of sick time per calendar year
• 7 hours of volunteer time off
• Federal holidays
• Winter break closure
• 12 weeks of parental leave

Competencies Required:
Legal Proficiency
The Senior Attorney demonstrates a solid understanding of necessary legal concepts such as habeas, asylum/withholding of removal/CAT, cancellation of removal and other defenses against deportation, at a level that allows them to provide technical assistance to external pro bono attorneys with limited supervision. The Senior Attorney clearly and skillfully employs the law in written and oral presentations and assists pro bono attorneys in doing the same. The Senior Attorney has taken on multiple hearings or interviews for clients with limited supervision. The Senior Attorney is able to competently mentor pro bono attorneys on client interaction matters and legal strategy, research, and writing. The Senior Attorney demonstrates cultural competency and trauma-informed practices.

Client and Programmatic Proficiency
The Senior Attorney competently handles and supervises all required programmatic obligations (pro bono mentoring, program reporting requirements, intake, follow-up, etc.). The Senior Attorney manages their mentoring responsibilities and in-house caseload to allow for proper prioritization and thoughtful use of time and resources. The Senior Attorney exercises sound judgment and decision-making skills and identifies when issues must be elevated to management.

Administrative
The Senior Attorney ensures that all administrative aspects of their position, attendant to the provision of services to clients, are carried out without managerial intervention, including timekeeping, file upkeep, database upkeep, etc.

Qualifications Required:
• JD/LLM and 3-5 years of relevant experience in immigration law.
• Habeas or federal court litigation experience required.
• Must be licensed to practice law and in good standing with a state bar.
• Written and oral Spanish proficiency preferred.
• At least 1-2 years of experience coordinating pro bono legal services preferred.
• Experience in mentoring pro bono attorneys 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].

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:
https://amicacenter.org/becoming-anti-racist/

How to Apply:
Submit your resume, a cover letter that explains your interest in this role, and a writing sample with your Paylocity application.

Competencies Required:
Legal Proficiency
The Senior Attorney demonstrates a solid understanding of necessary legal concepts such as habeas, asylum/withholding of removal/CAT, cancellation of removal and other defenses against deportation, at a level that allows them to provide technical assistance to external pro bono attorneys with limited supervision. The Senior Attorney clearly and skillfully employs the law in written and oral presentations and assists pro bono attorneys in doing the same. The Senior Attorney has taken on multiple hearings or interviews for clients with limited supervision. The Senior Attorney is able to competently mentor pro bono attorneys on client interaction matters and legal strategy, research, and writing. The Senior Attorney demonstrates cultural competency and trauma-informed practices.

Client and Programmatic Proficiency
The Senior Attorney competently handles and supervises all required programmatic obligations (pro bono mentoring, program reporting requirements, intake, follow-up, etc.). The Senior Attorney manages their mentoring responsibilities and in-house caseload to allow for proper prioritization and thoughtful use of time and resources. The Senior Attorney exercises sound judgment and decision-making skills and identifies when issues must be elevated to management.

Administrative
The Senior Attorney ensures that all administrative aspects of their position, attendant to the provision of services to clients, are carried out without managerial intervention, including timekeeping, file upkeep, database upkeep, etc.