Managing Attorney, Boston - Legal Programs

About KINDKids in Need of Defense (KIND) is a global leader in the protection of unaccompanied refugee and migrant children. Launched in 2008, KIND champions a world in which every child’s rights and well-being are protected throughout their journey to safety. Since 2008, KIND has accepted over 23,000 referrals of children seeking legal representation in their immigration proceedings. KIND has welcomed more than 41,000 attendees to training since its founding, cultivating partnerships with over 700 law firms, corporate legal departments, law schools, and bar associations across the country.KIND’s social services program ensures that migrant and refugee children – who have often endured trauma – receive counseling, educational support, medical care, and other comprehensive services.To address the root causes of child migration from Central America and strengthen the protection of unaccompanied children, KIND advocates for policy changes and educates lawmakers, the media, and the broader public on the conditions that drive these children to flee their home countries. KIND supports children returning to their home countries by connecting them to essential support services and sponsors gender-based violence prevention programs in Central America to protect children in countries of origin and transit.KIND is also building upon its expertise in the protection of unaccompanied children to encourage the development of pro bono initiatives across Europe in partnership with European NGOs.Position SummaryKIND seeks a Managing Attorney to assist in the management of the delivery of legal services to children and families impacted by family separation and other emerging legal and policy changes affecting migrant children seeking safe haven in the U.S., provide direct representation, pro bono mentoring, and strategic legal counsel and program planning and implementation in a cutting-edge area of humanitarian immigration work on behalf of highly vulnerable children. As needed, the Managing Attorney will supervise Staff Attorneys, Senior Paralegals, Paralegals, and program staff.Essential FunctionsSupervises and leads program staff in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, including a small detained program in Massachusetts, in consultation with the Managing Director, including:Program oversight, direct representation and pro bono placements, supervising casework, managing caseloads and other assignments, promoting, and advising supervisees on professional growth, conducting employee performance evaluations, meeting regularly with each supervisee, and providing consistent and effective supervision to ensure high-quality legal work and achievement of deliverables.Serves as an organizational leader, advisor, and resident expert on the special needs of detained children, and the tailored provision of services in the detained context.Liaisons with shelter staff and other stakeholders as needed to maximize efficient and effective services to detained children. Maintain ORR and other stakeholder relations.Monitors daily arrivals, transfers, and discharges of immigrant children housed in local ORR facilities and oversees the timely and high-quality provision of legal orientation presentations and intakes of children upon arrival at ORR shelters.Plans and implements effective recruitment, mentoring, and case placement strategies to increase pro bono representation of unaccompanied immigrant children with support from the Senior Director for Pro Bono Partnerships. Ensure staff adherence to KIND standards for pro bono mentorship.Leads, delegates, and develops pro bono training resources and local training curriculum, including sample filings and guidance packets, in coordination with KIND’s Legal and Technical Assistance Team and Senior Director for Pro Bono Partnerships. Assists with development and conducting of a local KIND training for both staff and external partners and stakeholders.Provides both mentoring to KIND pro bono attorneys and direct legal representation to KIND clients:In the pro bono mentoring function, provides robust consultation and technical assistance to pro bono attorneys who have accepted a KIND case.In the direct representation function, performs ordinary functions of legal counsel including legal research and formulating the legal strategy for the case; conducting client interviews; appearing before immigration and/or state courts or agencies, and drafts and files court pleadings and applications for benefits.Provides legal skills training and technical case assistance to in-house staff, pro bono attorneys, or other stakeholders, in coordination with field office colleagues and KIND’s Training and Technical Assistance Team.Supports the Managing Director to develop and implement management strategies to meet ambitious programmatic and funding deliverables, including staff recruitment and development-support functions, employee engagement, and quality control of KIND’s legal services delivery.Partners with the Managing Director to ensure mid-level supervisors in the field office are equipped and trained to effectively supervise and coach their direct reports.Oversees data management, ensuring data integrity through regular case audits, technical fluency with KIND’s case management systems, and oversight of data upkeep and accuracy by supervisees.In collaboration with the Managing Director, leads and manages large and complex programs, including oversees and drafts grant reports, metrics oversight, and assists in the drafting of funding proposals as needed.Maintains internal and external stakeholder relations; participates in local coalitions of various stakeholders supporting unaccompanied immigrant children.Collaborates with other KIND departments on specific projects and initiatives as needed, including KIND’s Policy, Advocacy, Communications, and International departments.Participates in and leads local and national KIND meetings, committees, retreats, and events.Qualifications And RequirementsJ.D. and admitted to the Massachusetts and/or Rhode Island bar (If not admitted to Massachusetts or Rhode Island bar, must sit for bar exam or start waiver to be admitted within 6 months and be able to be admitted within one year of employment).Must be fully bilingual in English/Spanish.Minimum of 6 years of experience practicing immigration law, which should include representation of clients in humanitarian immigration claims such as asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, U visas, and T visas.Minimum of 4 years of experience working with children, preferably immigrant and refugee children, and/or working with survivors of abuse, human trafficking, or other trauma.Experience working with law firm attorneys and or other legal volunteers.Minimum of 3 years of experience supervising attorneys and non-attorney staff.Minimum of 2 years of experience in program management, including experience such as project management, tracking deliverables, hiring, planning and development.Minimum of 2 years of experience working in a detained setting.Ability to work effectively with people of diverse backgrounds, lived experiences, and communication styles.Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and persuasively both orally and in writing.Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suites (such as Teams, Excel, etc.).Ability to work collaboratively and multi-task in our KIND environment, managing numerous priorities and emerging opportunities.Excellent organizational skills with ability to work on multiple projects in a deadline-oriented environment. Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate as appropriate.Committed to prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as embracing transparency and authenticity in daily work life.Be disciplined and nimble to ensure delivery on our core mission of access to justice and protection of children’s wellbeing and rights.Showing the ability to multi-task and work with a sense of urgency in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.Committed to practicing and supporting wellbeing and a work-home life balance.Experience working and communicating in a remote environment.Salary Range:

$93,040 - $116,300 dependent on experienceKIND requires all U.S. based staff be COVID vaccinated with the exception of those who have medical or religious beliefs exemptions.Application InstructionsPlease be advised that an employment application will need to be submitted along with your resume and cover letter, in order to be considered for the desired role.KIND has an organization-wide commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. We strive to create a work environment where everyone has a sense of belonging. Individuals from historically underrepresented or underserved communities are strongly encouraged to apply.Disclaimer:

KIND is committed to an ethical recruitment and hiring process and maintains a firm “no fees” recruitment policy. We will never charge a fee or ask for money as part of the application process. KIND also conducts all interviews via telephone or video conference, and at no time will KIND engage in a text or mobile app-based application or interview process. For more information, please visit the following website:

https://supportkind.org/join-the-team/kind-employment-practices/ .

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