ProBAR - Senior Staff Attorney Houston TX

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). 

The Organization

ProBAR empowers immigrants through high-quality legal education, representation, and connections to services. ProBAR serves immigrants in the Rio Grande Valley border region 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 office is located in Harlingen, TX. For more information about ProBAR, please visit our website: https://abaprobar.org/

Note: This position is based in Houston, TX. Applicants will be expected to agree to comply with ProBAR's travel requirements regarding frequency and responsibility for travel expenses as pertains to travel to the Rio Grande Valley. Please review the travel requirements noted below. 

Job Summary / General Purpose of Job

Provides legal services to detained unaccompanied children in immigration removal proceedings in the South Texas border region. Serves as mentor and leader to Staff Attorneys, legal interns, legal support staff and volunteers, including by maintaining current materials and training on legal services. This position will require regular involvement with individuals living in difficult circumstances and who may have experienced trauma.

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

• Mentors Staff Attorneys providing advice and direction on their cases. Assists in the training and
• mentoring of pro bono attorneys, legal support staff and other legal volunteers.
• Develops and maintains legal competency relating to immigration detention work, specifically as applied to unaccompanied minors. Builds and maintains relations with local stakeholders. Observes ethical practices relating to client confidentiality and all other applicable legal ethics standards. Maintains case files, documentation and data integrity using division's case management system.
• Regularly appears in immigration court to represent children in removal proceedings and to act as Friend of Court for other detained youth as appropriate. May also appear in Texas state court as related to a child's immigration case.
• Serves as a facilitator between the shelter, shelter services team and legal department.
• Reviews legal screenings and assigns follow-up services, including additional interviewing, referrals to other legal services providers and advocates, or in- house representation.
• 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, and one or more years' experience in representing clients preferably on immigration matters.
• Licensed to practice law in a U.S. state or territory.
• Written and spoken fluency in a secondary language may be required based upon the location and client base served.
• Intermediate proficiency with Adobe 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 have reliable internet and phone connection.
• Must be able to pick up on client verbal and non-verbal cues.
• Must have reliable transportation to travel between office and off-site work locations.
• This position requires the ability to travel to and enter care provider facilities funded by the Office of Refugee Resettlement, Administration for Children and Families, United States Department of Health and Human Services which provide housing and services to unaccompanied children. This position will require the provision of legal services to unaccompanied children in such care provider facilities. In accordance with the federal regulation, background check will be required for this position.

Preferred Education, Qualifications, Experience

• Licensed to practice law and member in the State Bar of Texas, and two years' experience with at least one year on immigration matters.
• Prior work experience with children, particularly from Central America and including indigenous language speaking populations.
• Prior volunteer, community, or work experience regarding immigration or detention.
• Prior non-profit experience, particularly involving immigration detention.

Physical Requirements

Typical office setting with frequent visits at immigration detention facilities and/or immigration court, requiring an ability to move about the facility grounds, with documentation materials weighing up to 15 pounds, for up to 15 minutes or more in temperatures that may exceed 90 degrees.

Travel

As a normal course of business, this job will typically require travel a minimum of 15% of the time. The position will require regular travel to the ProBAR office located in Harlingen, Texas.

The 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
• 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 work arrangement is based in Houston, TX.

The Application Process

Submit an online application including your cover letter and resume.

The Salary

The starting hiring range for this position is $79,730.00 - $95,516.00 based on relevant experience and education.