ProBAR - Remote Staff Attorney

The American Bar Association (ABA) was founded on a commitment to advance the rule of law in the United States and beyond by providing practical resources for legal professionals, conducting law school accreditation, developing model ethics codes and more. Today, the ABA remains a member-based organization that works to ensure access to justice for all, a fair legal process, and respect for the rule of law at home and across the globe.

The ABA is committed to service and refining the standards that guide the legal profession. ABA staff are provided multiple types of continuing education and career development opportunities. Your work will help eliminate bias, enhance diversity, and advance the rule of law throughout the US and around the world.

The ABA recognizes the value staff contribute to our success through a generous benefits package that protects their health and their financial security. The ABA’s wide array of benefit offerings include 401(k), medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, health spending accounts, supplemental life and disability insurance, prepaid legal programs, and a complimentary membership to the American Bar Association, which offers additional benefits.

Flexible/hybrid work arrangements may be available for residents of CA, DC, IL, IN, IA, MD, MI, MN, TX, VA, and WI. Residency requirements may apply. ABA employees are eligible to apply for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).

Staff Attorneys for ProBAR's Children's Team advocate for and serve some of the highest numbers of detained unaccompanied children nationally. The Remote Staff Attorney will assist ProBAR’s on-the-ground legal team through remote legal assistance.

ProBAR represents children seeking humanitarian immigration relief, supports unrepresented children appearing before the immigration court, and connects children with advocates and other supportive services as needed. The team's legal advocacy and representation are complemented by ProBAR's holistic approach that integrates connections to services for children released from detention.

The Organization

ProBAR empowers immigrants through high-quality legal information, representation, and connections to services. ProBAR serves immigrants in the Rio Grande Valley and Houston regions with a particular focus on the legal needs of adults and unaccompanied children in federal custody. Founded in 1989 as a project of the American Bar Association, ProBAR’s primary office is located in Harlingen, TX with a field office in Houston, TX. For more information about ProBAR, please visit our website: https://abaprobar.org/

Job Summary / General Purpose of Job

Accountable for providing remote legal assessments and services to detained unaccompanied children in immigration removal proceedings in the border region. This position will require involvement with individuals who have experienced trauma.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities (listed in order of importance and/or time spent)

• Reviews legal screenings conducted by non-attorney staff and assigns follow-up services, including additional interviewing, referrals to other legal services providers and advocates, or in-house representation.
• Assesses legal screenings conducted by non-attorney staff to determine eligibility for available immigration relief.
• Serves as a facilitator between the shelter, shelter services team, and legal department.
• Reviews and conducts quality control of completed applications for immigration relief.
• Assists in designing and delivering training on substantive immigration law topics for ProBAR staff, pro bono attorneys, and volunteers.
• Serves as mentor for pro bono attorneys and volunteers.
• Assists in reviewing and analyzing cases for possible pro bono representation.
• Prepares legal filings and documents (immigration applications, correspondence, translations) as assigned.
• Prepares responses to Requests for Evidence, Motions to Reconsider, Responses to Notices of Intent to Deny, and other legal documents, as assigned.
• Drafts legal briefs, and review supporting documentation for immigration relief, as assigned.
• Provides legal assistance to detained or locally released children, including but not limited to placement referrals, applications, and filings before USCIS and in limited circumstances before EOIR.
• Observes ethical practices relating to client confidentiality using a case management system.
• Develops and maintains legal competency in immigration detention work, specifically as applied to unaccompanied minors.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Required Education, Qualifications, Experience

• Possession of a Juris Doctorate or Master of Law (LLM) from an ABA-accredited law school and be in good standing.
• Licensed to practice law in a U.S. state or territory.
• Fluent in English and Spanish in written and spoken forms.
• Intermediate proficiency with online research and Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, OneDrive, teams).
• Must be familiar with conducting virtual meetings, training, and observations on software such as Zoom, Teams, etc.
• Must be able to pick up on client verbal and non-verbal cues.
• Must have reliable internet and phone connection.
• Ability to travel on occasion to provide training, orientation, and necessary in-person assistance.

Preferred Education, Qualifications, Experience

• One year of experience working in humanitarian immigration.
• Prior work experience with children, particularly from Central America and including indigenous language-speaking and non-Spanish-speaking populations.
• Prior volunteer, community, or work experience regarding immigration or detention.
• Prior non-profit experience, particularly involving assistance for underserved populations.

Physical Requirements

Continuously operates a computer and other office machinery, such as telephone, copy machine, and computer printer.

Travel

This position is fully remote. The attorney will be required to travel to ProBAR’s main office in Harlingen, Texas several times per year for quarterly meetings, staff retention activities, or other business needs at no expense to the employee.

Benefits and Incentives Offered

• Medical and prescription insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Voluntary life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Prepaid Legal Plan
• 401 (k)
• Paid company holidays
• Personal time off
• Vacation time off
• Self-Care time off
• PSLF participant
• Sign on bonus offered*
• Additional bonuses offered for continuous service at 2-year, 3-year, & 4-year service anniversaries. *
• Relocation Stipend offered for in state and out of state relocation*

*Restrictions apply . Availability is subject to grant funding and may periodically change.

The Location

The fully remote work arrangement is available for residents of CA, DC, IL, IN, IA, MD, MI, MN, TX, VA, and WI.

The Application Process

Submit an online application including your cover letter and resume.

The Salary

The starting hiring range for this position is $62,776.00 - $75,263.00 based on relevant experience and education.