Description

The Tahirih Justice Center is a growing national non-profit organization that supports the courage of immigrant survivors who refuse to be victims of violence by providing holistic legal services and advocacy in courts, Congress, and communities. Through pro bono holistic legal services, community outreach and education and nonpartisan public policy advocacy, Tahirih protects survivors seeking protection from gender-based human rights abuses such as domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, female genital mutilation, honor crimes, and forced marriage. Tahirih is a Bahá’í-inspired organization and works to create a world where survivors can live in safety and with dignity. Tahirih’s 100 plus employees work from offices in the DC metro area, Baltimore, Houston, Atlanta, and the San Francisco Bay Area. For more information, please visit www.tahirih.org.  

JOB SUMMARY

At Tahirih, a Staff Attorney provides critical legal counsel to our clients, immigrant survivors fleeing gender-based violence, who seek asylum and related relief before the Department of Homeland Security, Department of State and Department of Justice (immigration courts and Board of Immigration Appeals). Staff Attorneys are well-versed in immigration law, are adept at facilitating trauma-informed interdisciplinary legal representation, and are able to train and mentor pro bono attorneys. A Staff Attorney will work collaboratively on an interdisciplinary client services team to ensure clients’ voices and decision-making are centered. A Staff Attorney handles a diverse caseload; maintains quality control of a caseload; ensures grant metrics compliance in their own caseload; maintains relationships with pro bono attorneys assigned to caseload; conducts intake and provides brief advice and counsel; and participates in legal training, outreach, and education initiatives.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 

• Advise, counsel, and represent immigrant survivors of gender-based violence in their legal matters before the Department of Homeland Security, Department of State and Department of Justice. 
• Maintain a caseload of 60 –100 cases, approximately 50-60% of which will be co-counseled with pro bono attorneys. 
• Conduct intakes and provide brief advice and counsel and referrals to immigrant survivors of gender-based violence in legal matters related to immigration law.
• Actively participate on an interdisciplinary legal team that centers and empowers Tahirih’s clients throughout the course of representation.
• Collaborate well within a team structure. 
• Communicate effectively within interdisciplinary teams, with clients, with supervisors, and with external partners.
• Engage in safety planning and other supportive collaborative case work in concert with Social Services team members as part of interdisciplinary, holistic, client-centered, trauma-informed service delivery. 
• Identify and prioritize casework or other legal services that are mandatory grant deliverables for the office or program as a whole. 
• Ensure quality control of the client database and files; maintain accurate data entry; ensure appropriate metrics tracking systems; and follow risk management procedures.
• Contribute to grant proposals, reports and periodic policy advocacy pieces. 
• Adhere to organizational and local office policies, such as attorney standards of practice, interdisciplinary policies, and ethical standards.
• Train, mentor, and provide ongoing support to pro bono attorneys. 
• Regularly engage in professional development to hone skillset and immigration law substantive knowledge. 
• Contribute to organization-wide meetings, resources and materials. 
• Support office paralegal(s) and other supporting staff members in their administrative duties.
• As needed, represent Tahirih in coalition efforts, build relationships and collaborate with the immigrant rights community through outreach events and substantive trainings, rooted in Tahirih’s interdisciplinary model of representation. 
• As needed, assist in the recruitment, supervision and support of in-house volunteers and interns.

This Job Description is not designed to cover a comprehensive listing of activities that are required of the employee. The precise duties and responsibilities of the job may change over time. 

Requirements

Requirements

Education  

• JD or equivalent 
• Current bar membership in good standing in any state in the US or District of Columbia or US territory 

Successful candidates generally possess: 

• At least 2 years of direct legal services experience, ideally in immigration law 
• Experience working on asylum, U-Visa, T-visa, VAWA, and SIJS applications 
• Great legal analysis, written and oral advocacy and presentation skills 
• Responsible, self-initiating, and focused, with proven ability to work collaboratively in a team-based environment 
• Strong organizational habits, time management skills, and prioritization skills 
• Strong interpersonal skills, cultural humility, and cross-cultural communication skills 
• Experience supporting survivors of violence and trauma and those from diverse cultural backgrounds 
• Commitment to Tahirih’s foundational values and mission, and demonstrated commitment to legal services, public interest law, the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and/or social justice. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS  

• Experience designing trainings and presenting to legal and non-legal audiences 
• Experience litigating appeals, preferably in the immigration context, or superb legal research and writing skills and a desire to gain expertise in cutting edge immigration appellate work 
• Fluency in Spanish preferred 
• Ability to attend functions outside of regular business hours, as needed 
• Has existing ties and/or relationships to these communities, and willingness to prioritize and amplify the voices of immigrant and low-income clients 

Annual salary and benefits: The salary range for this role is expected to be $57,000 - $72,000 per year, with actual salary commensurate with experience. Generous benefits include employee and dependent health, vision and dental insurance (Tahirih contributes 100% of the premium for employees and 60% for dependents); a 401(k) defined contribution retirement plan; flexible work schedules; professional development including in-house training programs, staff enrichment retreats and other growth opportunities. Employees have a generous self-managed leave benefit inclusive of vacation, sick and holidays, including office closure the week between Christmas and New Year’s.

Submissions: Please include a cover letter demonstrating how you meet the above qualifications, a resume and a list of three professional references.

• Tahirih works with a hybrid approach supporting both remote and in office work.
• Tahirih requires that all staff be up to date on their vaccinations or be tested weekly to assure that they are free of COVID-19. 

Tahirih Justice Center is committed to equal opportunity and promotes equity and transparency as core values. Tahirih practices inclusiveness in decision making through the use of consultation with employees throughout the organization. Tahirih does not discriminate against any person on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, ability, gender, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, arrest record or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. Applicants committed to equity from all backgrounds, experiences, abilities and identities, and in particular those from underrepresented communities are encouraged to apply.  

Work Authorization: 

Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.