Managing Attorney, Detained Children Program

Working with the Vera Institute of Justice’s Unaccompanied Children Legal Services (UCLS) program, IRLC will be the legal service provider for noncitizen children held in the new Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) Transitional Foster Care Facility set to open in Cincinnati, Ohio with an anticipated date of mid-late fall 2023. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Managing Attorney for IRLC’s Detained Children Program will help to create and lead IRLC’s program serving the needs of noncitizen juveniles who are housed in the Cincinnati ORR facility or released from another ORR facility to the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area through this program.   This is a unique opportunity to be a part of the vision and growth of the organization.  

This position will be both office- and site-based, with possibility for some remote work. 

Managing Attorney

Detained Children Program

About Us: The Immigrant and Refugee Law Center (IRLC) is a unique and fast-growing nonprofit organization that provides pro bono immigration legal services to low-income immigrant and refugee families in the Greater Cincinnati area. We are expanding our programs and growing our dynamic team!  If you are an experienced immigration attorney with a passion for working with children, we encourage you to apply. 

Job Summary: Working with the Vera Institute of Justice’s Unaccompanied Children Legal Services (UCLS) program, IRLC will be the legal service provider for noncitizen children held in the new Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) Transitional Foster Care Facility set to open in Cincinnati, Ohio with an anticipated date of mid-late fall 2023. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Managing Attorney for IRLC’s Detained Children Program will help to create and lead IRLC’s program serving the needs of noncitizen juveniles who are housed in the Cincinnati ORR facility or released from another ORR facility to the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area through this program.   This is a unique opportunity to be a part of the vision and growth of the organization.  

This position will be both office- and site-based, with possibility for some remote work. 

Primary Responsibilities:

• Work with IRLC’s Executive Director, Managing Attorney, and other staff to develop the legal services program for the ORR facility in Cincinnati, which will include providing Know Your Rights trainings and legal screenings in the facility; direct representation of children; courtroom assistance; other legal representation; and other case coordination
• Provide management and oversight of the program
• Consult with and advise unaccompanied children regarding the rights and available relief they have within the U.S. immigration system
• Provide Know Your Rights Trainings and/or oversee staff that is doing so
• Represent children before the Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR), and before the Juvenile and Family Courts when needed
• Prepare applications and represent children before U.S. Immigration and Citizenship Services (USCIS)
• Work closely with the program’s case manager(s) to identify any social support needs related to the legal case, case continuity, and continuity of medical/mental health care
• Supervise other program staff, including staff attorney(s), case manager(s) and legal assistant(s), as well as any student interns working with the program
• Coordinate with other legal service providers for unaccompanied children being transferred out of the facility to other service regions
• Maintain relations with various stakeholders including the National Youth Advocate Program (NYAP), Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), Vera Institute for Justice/ Acacia Center for Justice, agency partners, community partners, etc.
• Build upon IRLC partnerships, including a number of medico-legal partnerships that IRLC has created, and seek and develop new partnerships as needed 
• Train staff and interns on local practices and relevant law and on carrying out contract tasks
• Train and oversee volunteer attorneys working on the state court piece of Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) cases
• Oversee data collection, reporting, and analysis relating to the program
• Interact with Vera as the program lead

Qualifications and Skills:

• Licensed attorney in good standing, preferably in the State of Ohio or, if licensed outside of Ohio, willing to take the Ohio bar within one year 
• A minimum of 3-5 years of immigration law experience with at least one year of representation before the Immigration Court 
• Proficiency in Spanish required
• Experience working on humanitarian immigration cases, including asylum and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)
• Experience working in a nonprofit setting preferred
• Experience working with children and with families in juvenile or family court 
• Experience working in a detention facility (either as staff or as a volunteer attorney) is a plus
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including cultural competency and trauma-informed client skills
• Demonstrable ability in program development and management, and in overseeing legal and/or other staff
• Familiarity with LawLogix or other case management systems 
• Proficiency with Excel, Word, PowerPoint, online data reporting systems, and ECAS 
• Collaborative and team-oriented, as well as ability to work independently
• Maintains a positive attitude and work style, and an ability to balance multiple priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced, deadline-oriented legal environment 
• Able to pass a federal background check

This is a full-time, exempt position reporting to the Executive Director.

Salary and Benefits:

$78,000-$88,000 depending on experience. Benefits include flexible paid time off, health care reimbursement, and a flexible work environment.   A retirement plan is being designed for 2024. Plus, a fabulous, fun, and supportive team! 

How to apply: Qualified candidates should send their cover letter, resume, and list of 3 references to jobs@irlawcenter.org with "Managing Attorney" in the subject line. Position open until filled. 

The Immigrant and Refugee Law Center is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.