Human Rights First
JOB TITLE: Staff Attorney, Special Projects
DEPARTMENT: Refugee Representation
LOCATION: Remote
REPORTS TO: Managing Attorney, Special Projects
JOB CLASSIFICATION: Full-Time; Exempt; Union
PURPOSE OF THE JOB
The Staff Attorney, Special Projects will assist in administering Human Rights First’s pro bono asylum legal representation work through Project: Afghan Legal Assistance (PALA). This role, created in response to the legal representation needs of the Afghan refugee population, will help coordinate a wide-scale legal representation effort across the U.S. for recent Afghan refugee arrivals.The Special Projects team within Human Rights First is coordinating, with partner organizations, the legal representation efforts for recent Afghan refugee arrivals. This coalition will ensure that individual asylum seekers are connected with pro bono attorneys around the country. Human Rights First will connect individuals with legal service providers, develop training and know-your-rights materials, and assist with limited scope technical assistance to attorneys who volunteer through the project. Additionally, Human Rights First will accept a smaller number of Afghan asylum seekers into our program for full scope direct representation or placement with our pro bono partners.The staff attorney will help identify cases for pro bono and direct representation, assist in administering light-touch and full-scope mentorship of pro bono cases, and generally help to coordinate the legal representation of Afghan individuals in asylum, special immigrant visa, and other immigration forms of relief.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Conduct legal screenings and intake interviews with Afghan refugees in the United States arrivals;
Participate in efforts to assist Afghan refugees at U.S. military bases, including conducting intakes or participating in workshops or know-your-rights presentations, when necessary;
Assist in identifying cases for pro bono placement and direct representation within Project: Afghan Legal Assistance;
Ensure that refugees represented by Human Rights First’s pro bono team receive high-quality legal representation by: (1) providing in-depth mentoring to volunteer attorneys; and (2) directly representing clients, when necessary;
Provide volunteer attorneys with prompt and thorough legal and procedural support on pro bono asylum cases, including conducting trainings, strategizing on individual cases, reviewing draft submissions, and informing volunteers of significant legal developments in asylum law;
Build and maintain strong relationships with local law firms, corporations, law school clinics, and volunteer attorneys;
Assist in placing our cases with volunteer attorneys, and promote attorney interest in pro bono representation of asylum seekers;
Collaborate with other local service providers to strategize on how to best meet the needs of Afghan refugees and improve access to legal representation nationwide;
Identify, analyze, and respond to legal or procedural changes that affect asylum seekers, including statutory changes, proposed regulations, and decisions of the Board of Immigration Appeals and federal courts;
Provide legal advice and guidance to in-house legal services coordinators and interns;
Assist in managing law school and undergraduate internship program, including helping recruit and supervise interns;
Participate in national advocacy efforts relating to asylum seekers and refugees through engagement with the media and participation in meetings with government officials; and
Collaborate with the Refugee Protection team to identify asylum seekers to engage in advocacy efforts, including speaking with media or congressional representatives, participating in communications campaigns, or providing case information for Human Rights First reports.
Promote Human Rights First’s mission by participating in local community, promotional, and other professional networking events to increase the organization’s profile in the community;
Assist in efforts to secure and maintain funding for the organization and Refugee Representation team; and
Other duties as requested based on the team and/or organization’s needs.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE
A law degree (J.D.) conferred by a U.S. law school and active bar membership in any state or the District of Columbia;
At least three years of direct representation of asylum seekers at all levels of the administrative process;
Experience with or knowledge of the Special Immigrant Visa process, refugee processing, and humanitarian parole, a plus;
Fluency in a second language, preferably Dari/Farsi or Pashto, highly desirable;
Experience representing Afghan asylum-seekers, or demonstrated commitment to providing culturally competent representation to Afghans;
Commitment to working with volunteer lawyers and experience mentoring other attorneys, especially on immigration law matters;
Ability to manage numerous tasks simultaneously, work under pressure, meet deadlines, and identify and analyze legal issues;
Ability to communicate patiently, respectfully, and empathetically with individuals from a variety of backgrounds, as well as survivors of trauma or torture;
Strong interpersonal and communication skills;
Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively, particularly in a collegial, team‐ based approach to work;
Adaptability to embrace and navigate new, dynamic projects;
Ability to recognize and maximize opportunities on behalf of the organization;
Demonstrated ability to work successfully across organizational lines, to work comfortably in a variety of settings, including legal, academic, and advocacy, and to work confidently with government officials and the media;
Ability to travel regionally by car or public transportation when possible and ability to travel to other office areas or locations where Human Rights First serves clients, when necessary (travel costs reimbursed); and
Must reside in the continental United States.
Human Rights First is committed to recruiting, retaining, and developing staff from a diversity of backgrounds, including members of racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, people of all socioeconomic backgrounds, people of all nationalities, and veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. We believe that a diverse staff and an inclusive work environment that welcomes a range of perspectives make us stronger and more effective.
JOB TITLE: Staff Attorney, Special Projects
DEPARTMENT: Refugee Representation
LOCATION: Remote
REPORTS TO: Managing Attorney, Special Projects
JOB CLASSIFICATION: Full-Time; Exempt; Union
PURPOSE OF THE JOB
The Staff Attorney, Special Projects will assist in administering Human Rights First’s pro bono asylum legal representation work through Project: Afghan Legal Assistance (PALA). This role, created in response to the legal representation needs of the Afghan refugee population, will help coordinate a wide-scale legal representation effort across the U.S. for recent Afghan refugee arrivals.The Special Projects team within Human Rights First is coordinating, with partner organizations, the legal representation efforts for recent Afghan refugee arrivals. This coalition will ensure that individual asylum seekers are connected with pro bono attorneys around the country. Human Rights First will connect individuals with legal service providers, develop training and know-your-rights materials, and assist with limited scope technical assistance to attorneys who volunteer through the project. Additionally, Human Rights First will accept a smaller number of Afghan asylum seekers into our program for full scope direct representation or placement with our pro bono partners.The staff attorney will help identify cases for pro bono and direct representation, assist in administering light-touch and full-scope mentorship of pro bono cases, and generally help to coordinate the legal representation of Afghan individuals in asylum, special immigrant visa, and other immigration forms of relief.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Conduct legal screenings and intake interviews with Afghan refugees in the United States arrivals;
Participate in efforts to assist Afghan refugees at U.S. military bases, including conducting intakes or participating in workshops or know-your-rights presentations, when necessary;
Assist in identifying cases for pro bono placement and direct representation within Project: Afghan Legal Assistance;
Ensure that refugees represented by Human Rights First’s pro bono team receive high-quality legal representation by: (1) providing in-depth mentoring to volunteer attorneys; and (2) directly representing clients, when necessary;
Provide volunteer attorneys with prompt and thorough legal and procedural support on pro bono asylum cases, including conducting trainings, strategizing on individual cases, reviewing draft submissions, and informing volunteers of significant legal developments in asylum law;
Build and maintain strong relationships with local law firms, corporations, law school clinics, and volunteer attorneys;
Assist in placing our cases with volunteer attorneys, and promote attorney interest in pro bono representation of asylum seekers;
Collaborate with other local service providers to strategize on how to best meet the needs of Afghan refugees and improve access to legal representation nationwide;
Identify, analyze, and respond to legal or procedural changes that affect asylum seekers, including statutory changes, proposed regulations, and decisions of the Board of Immigration Appeals and federal courts;
Provide legal advice and guidance to in-house legal services coordinators and interns;
Assist in managing law school and undergraduate internship program, including helping recruit and supervise interns;
Participate in national advocacy efforts relating to asylum seekers and refugees through engagement with the media and participation in meetings with government officials; and
Collaborate with the Refugee Protection team to identify asylum seekers to engage in advocacy efforts, including speaking with media or congressional representatives, participating in communications campaigns, or providing case information for Human Rights First reports.
Promote Human Rights First’s mission by participating in local community, promotional, and other professional networking events to increase the organization’s profile in the community;
Assist in efforts to secure and maintain funding for the organization and Refugee Representation team; and
Other duties as requested based on the team and/or organization’s needs.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE
A law degree (J.D.) conferred by a U.S. law school and active bar membership in any state or the District of Columbia;
At least three years of direct representation of asylum seekers at all levels of the administrative process;
Experience with or knowledge of the Special Immigrant Visa process, refugee processing, and humanitarian parole, a plus;
Fluency in a second language, preferably Dari/Farsi or Pashto, highly desirable;
Experience representing Afghan asylum-seekers, or demonstrated commitment to providing culturally competent representation to Afghans;
Commitment to working with volunteer lawyers and experience mentoring other attorneys, especially on immigration law matters;
Ability to manage numerous tasks simultaneously, work under pressure, meet deadlines, and identify and analyze legal issues;
Ability to communicate patiently, respectfully, and empathetically with individuals from a variety of backgrounds, as well as survivors of trauma or torture;
Strong interpersonal and communication skills;
Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively, particularly in a collegial, team‐ based approach to work;
Adaptability to embrace and navigate new, dynamic projects;
Ability to recognize and maximize opportunities on behalf of the organization;
Demonstrated ability to work successfully across organizational lines, to work comfortably in a variety of settings, including legal, academic, and advocacy, and to work confidently with government officials and the media;
Ability to travel regionally by car or public transportation when possible and ability to travel to other office areas or locations where Human Rights First serves clients, when necessary (travel costs reimbursed); and
Must reside in the continental United States.
Human Rights First is committed to recruiting, retaining, and developing staff from a diversity of backgrounds, including members of racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, people of all socioeconomic backgrounds, people of all nationalities, and veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. We believe that a diverse staff and an inclusive work environment that welcomes a range of perspectives make us stronger and more effective.
Voter Protection Program
The Voter Protection Program (VPP), a nonpartisan organization focused on the critical role states play in election protection, is looking to hire a Legal Director. The VPP Legal Director will help build and oversee the organization’s legal program, including an internal team of attorneys and a network of outside attorneys and law firms, and provide leadership and advice to the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chair. We are a rapidly growing organization, so the Legal Director will play a major role in defining VPP’s vision and work for 2021 and beyond.
Our Legal Director will engage with the VPP team, as well as coalition partners, to develop a strategy for success across the organization in promoting voting rights and democracy protection through research and litigation, with a focus on supporting the work of state leaders. Mobilizing the organization’s unique roster of internal and external legal resources will require long-term strategic vision, flexibility, tactical wisdom, and fluency across a variety of legal issues.
Responsibilities:
• Team Building o Helping hire and develop a top-tier team of staff attorneys and paralegals. o Developing and overseeing a robust pro bono legal representation program, including recruiting and managing outside law firms. o Developing and adapting procedures for linking our growing internal staff with our network of outside legal resources and coalition partners. o Fostering a seamless team culture between leadership and staff, as well as across organizational units. o Mentoring attorneys on the team.
• Legal Program Management o Working with the team – including our CEO and Executive Chair – to devise strategy and to oversee execution of a variety of existing and future legal opportunities. o Conducting and overseeing legal research, the drafting of memoranda and pleadings, and serving as a strategic and quality control hub for editing and review of legal materials. o Playing a lead role in continuing to establishing the organization as a valuable voice among various outside stakeholders and partners, as well as a key source of legal advice and resources to key constituencies. o Planning for longer term legal actions and activities.
• Management o Managing a team of staff attorneys and paralegals, including regular performance reviews, time tracking, and ensuring opportunities for growth. o Managing external attorneys, firms and researchers. o Ensuring a strategy for stewarding the legal team during remote work, without regular, face-to-face meetings. o Supporting the organization’s emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of our work.
Qualifications:
• Attorney with active license and a minimum of ten years of litigation experience.
• Experience working on issues of election protection, voting rights, and/or democracy protection strongly preferred.
• Experience working with state officials, including governors or attorneys general, a plus.
• Experience supervising and mentoring junior attorneys and managing programs and staff.
• Experience managing teams of attorneys and coordinating with internal and external legal teams.
• Ability and motivation to create a cooperative and productive work environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues in a demanding and fast-paced environment.
• Outstanding judgment about both case/legal issues and management/organizational issues.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to see the need to course correct.
• Outstanding writing and editing skills, including drafting and editing complex briefs, and reviewing/editing the work of attorneys.
• Display a positive attitude, show concern for people and community, demonstrate presence, self-confidence, common sense, and good listening ability.
Offices will be in DC, but this position can be remote in the long-term.
This organization is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by law. Women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, people with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.
To apply, please send a resume, cover letter, and references to voterprotectionjob@gmail.com with the subject line, "Legal Director."
The Voter Protection Program (VPP), a nonpartisan organization focused on the critical role states play in election protection, is looking to hire a Legal Director. The VPP Legal Director will help build and oversee the organization’s legal program, including an internal team of attorneys and a network of outside attorneys and law firms, and provide leadership and advice to the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chair. We are a rapidly growing organization, so the Legal Director will play a major role in defining VPP’s vision and work for 2021 and beyond.
Our Legal Director will engage with the VPP team, as well as coalition partners, to develop a strategy for success across the organization in promoting voting rights and democracy protection through research and litigation, with a focus on supporting the work of state leaders. Mobilizing the organization’s unique roster of internal and external legal resources will require long-term strategic vision, flexibility, tactical wisdom, and fluency across a variety of legal issues.
Responsibilities:
• Team Building o Helping hire and develop a top-tier team of staff attorneys and paralegals. o Developing and overseeing a robust pro bono legal representation program, including recruiting and managing outside law firms. o Developing and adapting procedures for linking our growing internal staff with our network of outside legal resources and coalition partners. o Fostering a seamless team culture between leadership and staff, as well as across organizational units. o Mentoring attorneys on the team.
• Legal Program Management o Working with the team – including our CEO and Executive Chair – to devise strategy and to oversee execution of a variety of existing and future legal opportunities. o Conducting and overseeing legal research, the drafting of memoranda and pleadings, and serving as a strategic and quality control hub for editing and review of legal materials. o Playing a lead role in continuing to establishing the organization as a valuable voice among various outside stakeholders and partners, as well as a key source of legal advice and resources to key constituencies. o Planning for longer term legal actions and activities.
• Management o Managing a team of staff attorneys and paralegals, including regular performance reviews, time tracking, and ensuring opportunities for growth. o Managing external attorneys, firms and researchers. o Ensuring a strategy for stewarding the legal team during remote work, without regular, face-to-face meetings. o Supporting the organization’s emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of our work.
Qualifications:
• Attorney with active license and a minimum of ten years of litigation experience.
• Experience working on issues of election protection, voting rights, and/or democracy protection strongly preferred.
• Experience working with state officials, including governors or attorneys general, a plus.
• Experience supervising and mentoring junior attorneys and managing programs and staff.
• Experience managing teams of attorneys and coordinating with internal and external legal teams.
• Ability and motivation to create a cooperative and productive work environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues in a demanding and fast-paced environment.
• Outstanding judgment about both case/legal issues and management/organizational issues.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to see the need to course correct.
• Outstanding writing and editing skills, including drafting and editing complex briefs, and reviewing/editing the work of attorneys.
• Display a positive attitude, show concern for people and community, demonstrate presence, self-confidence, common sense, and good listening ability.
Offices will be in DC, but this position can be remote in the long-term.
This organization is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by law. Women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, people with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.
To apply, please send a resume, cover letter, and references to voterprotectionjob@gmail.com with the subject line, "Legal Director."