Managing Attorney – Children’s Legal Services (DC, MD or VA)

ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE 

Ayuda is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing direct legal, social and language access services, education, and outreach to low-income immigrants in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Since 1973, Ayuda has provided critical services on a wide range of issues, in the process acquiring nationally recognized expertise in several fields including immigration law, language access, domestic violence and human trafficking. Ayuda has office locations in Washington, DC, Silver Spring, MD and Fairfax, VA.  

WHY DO YOU WANT THIS JOB? 

Because, just like everyone at Ayuda, you believe: 

• In seeing communities where all immigrants succeed and thrive in the United States. 
• In the overall success of our organization and all our programs. 
• That families should be healthy and safe from harm. 
• That all people should have access to professional, honest, and ethical services, regardless of ability to pay or status in this country. 
• That diversity and equality make this country better. 

WHAT WILL THIS JOB ENTAIL? 

Core responsibilities of the position include the following. Other duties may be assigned. 

• Lead Ayuda’s immigration legal program that focuses primarily on representing immigrant children, including released children, and with a heavy focus on detained children. 
• Manage Ayuda’s obligations under the Acacia contract to represent unaccompanied immigrant children detained or released from the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). This includes attending meetings, making decisions, and ensuring compliance. 
• Provide training, mentorship, and supervision to legal staff and administrative support staff. 
• Prepare and submit grant proposals and reports and ensure the department’s compliance with grant requirements and outcomes. 
• Work with Finance Department to ensure proper program and grant financial management, including management of client fee-based legal services. 
• Represent Ayuda at meetings and collaborations with other agencies. 
• Conduct trainings and community outreach on immigration issues. 
• Collaborate with Ayuda’s social services staff to ensure the provision of holistic services. 
• Collaborate with and support the organization’s legal team leadership. 
• Provide direct legal representation for a moderate caseload consisting of a variety of immigration matters including representation of: clients in administrative and judicial proceedings; asylum-seekers; victims of trafficking seeking a T-visa; victims of crimes seeking a U-visa; victims of domestic violence seeking relief under VAWA; minors seeking Special Immigrant Juvenile Status; and those seeking other forms of immigration relief and representation in immigration matters. 
• Collaborate with Ayuda’s Development Department for fundraising initiatives, media requests and publicity opportunities. 
• Support Ayuda’s fundraising efforts through attendance and providing client stories and client speakers for events. 
•  Direct Reports: Supervising Attorneys, Staff Attorneys, and Paralegals. 

This job can be performed from any of Ayuda’s three offices in D.C., Fairfax, VA, or Silver Spring, MD. 

This job may also require travel to and from ORR shelters in Virginia. Travel will be compensated by Ayuda. 

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU CAN DO THIS JOB?  

Eligibility: Must be legally able to work in the United States and maintain proper work authorization throughout employment. 

Must be able to meet the physical requirements of the position presented in a general office environment. 

• J.D. or L.L.M. degree from an accredited law school.  
• 4+ years of immigration legal practice experience.
• 1 year of supervisory experience required; 2 years preferred.
• Current bar membership in good standing to practice.
• Experience working with low-income immigrant populations and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or other survivors of trauma. 

Language Skills: 

• Fluency in Spanish preferred but not required. Current funding provides Spanish language instruction support. 

Required Knowledge and Skills: 

• Excellent written and verbal communications skills, flexibility and good humor highly desirable. 
• Highly developed interpersonal and customer relationship management skills. 
• Professionalism with both internal and external customers. 
• Professional demeanor, strong work ethic, discretion, and ability to maintain confidentiality. 
• Ability to communicate with a variety of people, both internal and external. 
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment. 
• Ability to initiate and follow through on work independently. 
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment. 
• Detail-oriented. 
• Excellent time management skills. 
• Ability to meet assigned deadlines. 
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities. 
• Strong ethics and sound judgment. 
• Decisive, with ability to exercise independent judgment. 
• Proven ability to develop and maintain a positive team environment. 
• Ability to mentor, train and provide career path guidance to staff. 

Technological Skills: 

• Proficient in Microsoft Office. 
• Experience working with case management software. 

We are proud of the benefits we can offer that include:  

• Platinum-level medical insurance plan 100% employer-paid 
• Dental and vision insurance 100% employer paid 
• Long-term disability insurance 100% employer paid 
• Life and AD&D insurance 100% employer paid 
• Pre-tax 401(k) with Employer match on first 3% of salary 
• Vacation Days: 21 days per year until year 3, 27 per year in years 3-7 and 33 days per year after 7 years employment. Employees begin with 3 days of vacation leave  
• New employees begin with 5 days of Health & Wellness (sick) leave and accrue an additional 5 hours per pay period plus emergency medical leave up to 12 weeks per year 
• 12 weeks paid parental leave/family leave 
• 24 days paid holidays and staff wellness days, including Winter Break the last week of the year 
• Job-related professional development fees (including annual state bar dues and professional memberships) 
• Flexible work schedules 

Employees with federal student loan debt may be eligible to apply for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the Department of Education. For more information, go to https://myfedloan.org/borrowers/special-programs/pslf.   

This position is exempt for overtime purposes.