Managing Attorney

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 Seattle seeks a Managing Attorney to lead its newly launched program to provide legal representation to unaccompanied children released from the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR).  

The Managing Attorney, Children’s Program will launch and oversee a new program, funded by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), providing legal services for unaccompanied children, including representation in immigration court, before the USCIS Asylum Office, and in state court proceedings. The Managing Attorney will bring not only legal expertise and a passion for this area of work, but also the ability to motivate and mentor a team of legal professionals in a dynamic and fast-paced, multi-disciplinary environment. The position will work in collaboration with community partners and will be part of IRC’s 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:

• Oversee legal strategy through daily direct supervision of a small team of legal practitioners, including a Children’s Attorney and Legal Assistant, with potential to grow the team to meet ongoing unmet demand for children’s immigration legal services.
• Provide direct legal representation to a limited caseload of unaccompanied children in immigration court, before the Board of Immigration Appeals, and/or before USCIS where applicable, including on applications for asylum, relief under the Convention of Torture and withholding of removal, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), U-visas, T-visas, and adjustment of status. Initiate proceedings in state court for child clients as needed.
• Develop and monitor intake procedures in accordance with the program operating plan developed with the funder.
• Employ adaptive management techniques to provide regular individual supervision and support; mentor staff, set clear performance expectations and goals, give regular performance feedback, help prioritize workloads, help troubleshoot challenges, and maintain appropriate professional development plans.
• Engage regularly with the Vera Institute of Justice, the contractor and funding organization for this program, and identify technical assistance and training needs for program staff.
• Actively co-facilitate and support grant opening, grant review, and grant closing meetings, and lead all aspects of grant cycle, including developing/implementing monitoring & evaluation plans.
• Ensure program data is collected consistently, managed appropriately and reported timely, using IRC’s legal case management database and other relevant case management systems.
• Ensure effective integration of internships and volunteers within programs.
• Collaborate with other IRC program areas as appropriate to ensure client-centered service.
• Establish, maintain, and periodically refresh legal services program policies and procedures in collaboration with IRC’s Immigration Technical Unit; oversee and/or conduct regular case file reviews (paper files and electronic case files) to ensure compliance with legal case management procedures.
• Create and maintain a viable outreach strategy to cultivate and maintain strong relationships with community-based organizations, the private bar, and nonprofit legal providers; pursue program initiatives with partners that further goals and address unmet demand.
• Serve as an in-house expert on US immigration law by updating internal IRC colleagues on changes in immigration law affecting IRC’s clients as needed.
• Serve on IRC Washington’s Senior Management Team and work effectively across programs to further IRC’s mission. Contribute to and support office-wide Strategic Action Plan.
• Work closely with the HQ Immigration Technical Unit and other program offices as part of IRC’s immigration network.
• Serve as a strong advocate for humanitarian immigrants.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

Position Reports to: IRC Washington Deputy Director for Programs. Position liaises closely with HQ Immigration Technical Unit.