Staff Attorney, Legal Services for Unaccompanied Children's Program at Church World Service, Inc. in Harrisonburg, Virginia

Job Description:

About CWS



Imagine waking up every morning with the chance to change someone's life. Imagine knowing your efforts will benefit both your career and our neighbors around the world. At CWS, our team knows they are making a difference every day. Whether you're in our U.S.-based offices supporting refugees, asylees or unaccompanied children ... implementing hygiene initiatives in Cambodia or rebuilding projects in Central America ... or even connecting remotely from your home on fundraising campaigns, grant reports, or critical communications - you have the opportunity to work towards a world where everyone has food, a voice and a safe place to call home.



Purpose



This Staff Attorney, Legal Services for Unaccompanied Children's Program, provides legal representation to unaccompanied children on a variety of humanitarian immigration cases before DHS, the Immigration Courts, and the BIA; and on related matters in state courts. May include supervisory and program management duties.



Responsibilities

• Conduct legal consultations with unaccompanied children to determine eligibility for legal relief.


• Represent unaccompanied children in a variety of immigration cases, including but not limited to asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, Adjustment of Status, trafficking visa applications, and state guardianship or other predicate orders.


• Appear on behalf of clients before USCIS, EOIR, and state and local courts, including asylum interviews, master calendar hearings, individual merits hearing, Board of Immigration appeals, and state court proceedings.


• Prepare and file all documentation for legal cases, including but not limited to immigration applications, legal briefs and memoranda, motions, expert reports, and evidence.


• Prepare clients and other witnesses, including experts, for testimony before USCIS, EOIR, and state courts.


• Conduct legal and factual research to prepare legal cases, including legal arguments, witness affidavits and statements, expert interviews and statements, and FOIA requests.


• Work closely with paralegals and other members of the team on client representation and case management to ensure work quality and timeliness.


• Properly manage client appointments and professional duties to ensure thorough and professional representation of client interests.


• Negotiate with DHS Officers and Supervisors to address problems faced by clients.


• Represent CWS and the program at community-based, advocacy, and other meetings and speaking engagements related to immigration issues and unaccompanied children.


• Conduct weekly file review to ensure that all case files are maintained appropriately as pertains to professional service delivery and contract requirements.


• Provide legal and programmatic information for the development of new grant applications.


• Complete data and narrative reporting related to grant-funded program outcomes. Assist Supervisor, Office Director, Regional team, and/or Headquarters team in preparing grant and other reports and compiling data.


• Respond to requests for information posed by staff and other legal service providers, as appropriate.


• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications



Education & Licensing:

• JD. is required.


• Admission to a state bar required. Strong preference for admission to the Virginia State Bar, or willingness to seek admission in Viriginia.

Experience:

• 6 years of previous experience working in immigration law required.


• 1 to 2 years of previous work experience working with unaccompanied children or other vulnerable populations within the immigration legal system preferred.

Skills:

• Excellent legal writing, research, and analytical abilities.


• Superior written and verbal communication skills.


• Ability to work within a client-led, trauma-informed framework.


• Ability to work cooperatively with other staff in a fast-paced work environment.


• Spanish language fluency strongly preferred.


• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and willingness to support CWS' Platform on Racial Justice as a CWS employee required.

Benefits



CWS offers a competitive benefits package that includes:
- 403 (b) Retirement Plan
- Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
- Generous Paid Time Off (18 Paid Days Off; 24 Days after 2 Years)
- 14 Official Holidays
- 12 Sick Days Off (Accrued monthly)
- Life Insurance and AD&D
- Long Term and Short-Term Disability
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Health Savings Account
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Commuter Benefits Apply Now