Children's Attorney

Job Description

IRC Background: The mission of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) is to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover and gain control of their future. Founded in 1933, the IRC has a presence in over 40 countries and 27 offices in the United States; the IRC leads the way from harm to home. IRC opened an office in Seattle in 1976 and provides a continuum of services including intensive case management, employment and economic empowerment services, immigration assistance, health and wellness programming, and education support to refugee and immigrant families in Washington State. IRC Washington is committed to providing trauma-informed, equitable, and accessible services and maintaining and evolving a diverse, inclusive, and supportive workplace.

JOB OVERVIEW:

IRC seeks a bilingual (Spanish/English) Children’s Attorney to join a newly launched program to provide legal services to unaccompanied children who have been released from the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). The attorney will conduct legal relief eligibility determinations, meet with and advise child clients, and provide direct legal representation to children. Relief will include filing for special immigrant juvenile status, asylum, T Visas and U Visas, requiring the attorney to appear in Washington state courts, immigration court, and before the Asylum office. The Children’s Attorney will bring a passion for this area of work and experience with immigration legal services. Working closely with the Managing Attorney, as well as IRC’s HQ Immigration Technical Unit and a host of external partners, the Children’s Attorney will play a key role in developing this new program area for IRC Washington. This position will report to the Managing Attorney and may supervise a Legal Assistant and/or interns.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

- Conduct intakes with child clients, identify relief, and provide direct representation for unaccompanied children released to sponsors in the Seattle area. - Handle moderate to heavy caseload of children’s cases before the immigration court and USCIS. - Initiate state court proceedings for children who are eligible for Special Immigrant Juvenile status. - Coordinate closely within IRC’s multidisciplinary teams to identify needs and facilitate referrals to services offered in-house and through partnerships with external providers. - Ensure client and program data is collected consistently, managed appropriately, and reported accurately in accordance with program reporting requirements set by IRC. - Position may supervise legal assistants and/or interns. - Maintain up-to-date knowledge and expertise of changing asylum and immigration policies as they relate to children through regular trainings and peer-to-peer consultation. - Serve as a strong advocate for humanitarian immigrants.

Qualifications

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

- Law degree (JD or LLM) from an ABA-accredited U.S. institution and admission to the Washington bar, required; - At least one year experience providing direct representation in immigration court and/or before USCIS to asylum applicants and other immigrants seeking humanitarian relief; law school graduates with clinical legal experience may be considered; - Experience providing legal services to children and/or working with children preferred; - Excellent legal research, writing, analytical, and organizational skills; - Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally in a courtroom setting and in writing; - Bilingual in Spanish/English, required; - Deep commitment to immigrant rights and working with humanitarian immigrants; - Trauma-informed and sensitive listening and communication skills; - Evidence of capacity to be a strong team member in a highly collaborative and fast-paced multidisciplinary environment; - Commitment to anti-racism and ongoing learning; and - Must have a valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle, active insurance policy and ability to travel frequently in and around the service area to attend hearings and interviews and engage with clients and community partners.

Working Environment:

- Standard office environment with occasional participation in community outreach and legal assistance events. Hybrid, flexible work options available. - May require occasional weekend and/or evening work.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement****: In accordance with IRC’s duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards and our commitment to safeguard the health of our employees, clients, and communities, IRC requires candidates who are selected for interview to furnish proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be considered for this position.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity****: IRC is committed to building a diverse organization and a climate of inclusivity. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who can demonstrate that they can contribute to this goal.

Equal Opportunity Employer****: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

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