Senior Staff Attorney – SAFE Removal Defense Program

IRC BACKGROUND:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) helps 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 is at work today in more than 40 countries and in 26 U.S. cities. The IRC’s Resettlement, Asylum and Integration (RAI) department creates opportunities for refugees and other vulnerable migrants to survive and thrive in the US. RAI serves nearly 50,000 individuals each year in the US through a diverse portfolio of programs aimed at achieving outcomes in five impact areas: Health, Safety, Economic Wellbeing, Education, and Power.

JOB OVERVIEW:

IRC seeks a Senior Staff Attorney to join the IRC in Dallas to lead direct representation efforts under the Safety and Fairness for Everyone (SAFE) program, which provides universal representation to Dallas residents facing removal. The Senior Staff Attorney is an experienced removal defense lawyer who will carry a caseload of detained and non-detained removal cases and supervise a fully accredited representative and a caseworker who assists on legal cases and provides case management services to SAFE clients and their family members. The Senior Staff Attorney will bring several years’ experience representing individuals facing removal, superb legal judgment and legal ethics, and a demonstrated commitment to immigrant rights. The position will work in collaboration with community partners and will be part of the Asylum and Removal Defense Community of Practice, led by IRC’s Immigration Technical Unit (TU) at IRC’s headquarters, which supports IRC’s 24 legal service programs across the US.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Direct Legal Representation

• Conduct legal screenings and consultations with IRC clients and community members
• Lead and provide legal supervision at limited scope legal assistance clinics
• Provide direct legal representation to detained and non-detained individuals in bond and removal proceedings in Dallas immigration court and before the Board of Immigration Appeals
• Ensure client and program data is collected consistently, managed appropriately, and reported accurately in accordance with program reporting requirements set by IRC and the funder
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge and expertise of changing immigration policies through independent research and analysis, regular trainings, local coalitions/listservs of legal advocates, and peer-to-peer consultation
• Work collaboratively as part of the IRC Dallas Immigration Department, collaborating with colleagues representing unaccompanied children and immigrant community members
• Participate in community-based coalitions related to immigrant rights
• Serve as a strong advocate for humanitarian immigrants
• Maintain strict client confidentiality and observe all ethical practices/obligations as outlined in IRC’s Immigration Program Policies Manual
• Other duties as assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Supervise a fully accredited representative and a legal assistant/ caseworker, providing regular legal guidance and ensuring access to training and professional development.
• Coordinate with IRC’s multidisciplinary departments to ensure clients have access to needed services

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

Position Reports to: Legal Program Director, Dallas

Position Directly Supervises: Senior Legal Representative, Asylum Seeking Families Caseworker

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Law degree (JD or LLM) from an ABA-accredited U.S. institution and admission to any state bar;
• At least 3 years’ experience providing direct representation in immigration court to individuals seeking removal; experience representing detained clients desirable;
• Excellent research, writing, analytical, and organizational skills and excellent legal judgment;
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally in a courtroom setting and in writing;
• Bilingual in one or more languages of the client population preferred (e.g., Spanish, French, Arabic);
• Evidence of capacity to be a strong team member in a highly collaborative multidisciplinary environment;
• Deep commitment to immigrant rights and working with humanitarian immigrants;
• Trauma-informed and sensitive listening and communication skills;
• Personal integrity in handling ethically complex and confidential situations;
• Strong computer literacy, research and analysis skills; and
• Must have a valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle, active insurance policy and ability to travel frequently in and around the service area, including to the Prairieland Detention Center, to meet with clients.

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.

US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: religion 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $120 per month, dental starting at $7 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.