Children's Attorney

• 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.

• 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.

• 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;

• 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.

International Rescue Committee