Children's Attorney

International Rescue Committee • Full-time • Sea Tac, WA, United States • 1w ago

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

JOB OVERVIEW:

International Rescue Committee - Washington seeks three Children’s Attorneys to join its Children’s Legal Services program at its SeaTac and Spokane offices to provide legal services to unaccompanied children who have been released from the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) or are residing in local Unaccompanied Refugee Minors (URM) programs. The attorneys will meet with unaccompanied child clients to conduct legal relief eligibility determinations, advise them on their options, and provide direct legal representation. Relief will include filing for Special Immigrant Juvenile classification, asylum, T Visas and U Visas, requiring the attorney to appear in Washington State courts, Immigration Court in Seattle, Washington, and before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Asylum Office.

The Children’s Attorneys will bring a passion for this area of work and experience with immigration legal services. Working closely with the Managing Attorney, Children’s Legal Services, as well as IRC’s HQ Immigration Technical Unit and a host of external partners, the Children’s Attorneys will play a key role in contributing to this program area for IRC Washington. This position will report to the Managing Attorney or Supervising Attorney, Children’s Legal Services, and may supervise a Legal Assistant and/or interns.

These positions are anticipated to be funded through July 31, 2026. Continuation is subject to ongoing funding availability.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Conduct intakes with child clients, identify relief, and provide direct representation for unaccompanied children released to sponsors in King, Pierce, Snohomish, and Spokane counties or residing in an Unaccompanied Refugee Minors program in Western Washington.
Handle moderate to heavy caseload of children’s cases before the Immigration Court and USCIS.
Initiate and represent children in state court proceedings for children who are eligible for Special Immigrant Juvenile classification, including dependencies, Vulnerable Youth Guardianships, parenting plans, and minor guardianships.
Prepare, file, monitor, and represent child clients with applications for immigration relief including, but not limited to, applications for Special Immigrant Juvenile Classification, asylum, U “Crime Victim” visas, and T “Trafficking Victim” visas.
Represent child clients before the Immigration Court in Seattle, WA, including attending Master Calendar and Merits Hearings; filing motions, notices of appearance, change of address forms, and briefings; and communicating with the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Chief Counsel regarding clients’ matters before the Court.
Coordinate closely within IRC’s multidisciplinary teams to identify needs and facilitate referrals to social services offered in-house and through partnerships with external providers.
Ensure client and program data is collected and recorded consistently, managed appropriately, and reported accurately in accordance with program reporting requirements set by IRC.
Maintain up-to-date knowledge and expertise of changing asylum and immigration policies as they relate to unaccompanied children through regular trainings and peer-to-peer consultation.
Serve as a strong advocate for humanitarian immigrants.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHPS:

Reports to: Managing Attorney, Children’s Legal Services, or Supervising Attorney, Children’s Legal Services.

Position may supervise legal assistants and/or interns.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

Law degree (JD or LLM) from an ABA-accredited U.S. institution and admission to the Washington bar, required;
At least one year experience providing direct representation in Immigration Court and/or before USCIS to asylum applicants and other immigrants seeking humanitarian relief; law school graduates with clinical legal experience may be considered;
Excellent legal research, writing, analytical, and organizational skills;
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally in a courtroom setting and in writing;
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;
Evidence of capacity to be a strong team member in a highly collaborative and fast-paced multidisciplinary environment;
Commitment to anti-racism and ongoing learning;
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 to attend hearings and interviews and engage with clients and community partners. Travel expenses are reimbursable.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Fluency in Spanish/English preferred. Attorneys not fluent in Spanish will attend weekly Spanish language courses.
Experience providing legal services to children and/or working with children preferred; and
Lived experience with the immigration legal system highly desired, but not required;

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Standard office environment with occasional participation in community outreach and legal assistance events or client meetings at public locations (for example, libraries).
Hybrid, flexible work options available.
May require occasional weekend and/or evening work.
If an applicant chooses to work a hybrid work schedule, the applicant must have a home or alternate workspace where they can effectively complete their work from during regularly scheduled hours.

Compensation: Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $143 per month, dental starting at $6.50 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.

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Standard of Professional Conduct:The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.