Staff Attorney, Los Angeles

About the role

The Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights invites applications for the full-time position of Staff Attorney to be based in Los Angeles, California. This position is a unique opportunity for an attorney to join a passionate team made up of social workers, attorneys, and administrative staff, to engage in interdisciplinary written and oral best interests advocacy on behalf of children in immigration removal proceedings.

Responsibilities

• Advocate for children’s best interests before government or other interested parties
• Serve as Child Advocate to a limited number of cases or as needed
• Visit children as needed and communicate with caregivers, family members and stakeholders
• Support the local and national efforts to recruit, train, support, and retain volunteer Child Advocates
• Participate in internal and external working groups
• Meet regularly with local stakeholders (government field staff, facility staff, immigration judges, ICE officers, and legal service providers)
• Attend case staffings or other stakeholder meetings
• Speak about the Child Advocate Program at local, regional, and national events
• Assist the team in meeting case goals and other deliverables for the government contract and private grants
• Capture accurate and timely data management to inform reports to the government, other funders, and internal Young Center departments regarding children served, case outcomes, program metrics, and current trends
• Participate in a supportive, collaborative work culture that allows for creative, thoughtful, high-quality, and effective interdisciplinary advocacy
• Consult with social worker colleagues to develop child-centered advocacy through a trauma-informed lens that identifies and advocates for the best interests of unaccompanied and separated children
• Draft and submit best interests determinations to immigration judges, asylum officers, attorneys, and federal agencies, applying state, federal, and international law and incorporating social science research and social work best practices, including, but not limited to trauma-informed and culturally sensitive approaches
• Actively engage with colleagues and supervisors in developing and editing interdisciplinary best interests determinations
• Accompany children to court hearings and interviews related to their immigration case
• Assess which children may need additional supportive and/or mental health services and accompany them to appointments as needed
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

• J.D. and license to practice law or ability to acquire license within the first year of employment
• Generally, has prior experience working with children and/or youth, trauma survivors, or migrant/refugees/unaccompanied children to demonstrate an understanding of the population we serve. This may be first-hand experience or demonstrated interest in the field (coursework, internships, volunteer opportunities, etc.)
• Legal analysis, negotiation, and mediation skills
• Effective communication skills, including ability to liaise with various stakeholders, colleagues, and volunteers
• Excellent case management skills
• High-level organizational skills
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and proactively address case needs
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and creatively as part of an interdisciplinary team
• Commitment to a comprehensive culture of feedback, including seeking and providing positive and constructive feedback and engaging in productive conversations
• Commitment to learn, both as an individual and as part of an organization, and apply diversity, equity, inclusion, and/or anti-racism principles
• Aptitude and thoughtfulness in working with children and promoting child-centered advocacy
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products, Zoom, Adobe Acrobat, and willingness to learn new technology and/or platforms
• Bilingual ability (oral and written) in English/Spanish or English/other languages spoken by the population we serve
• Valid driver’s license and access to a car

Qualifications

• Lived experience that lends insight into supporting immigrant children and their families
• Understanding of the impact of trauma on children and familiarity with a trauma-informed approach to advocacy
• Background and/or demonstrated interest in immigration law, juvenile law, or other areas of law impacting children