Staff Attorney Position with The Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights

YOUNG CENTER FOR IMMIGRANT CHILDREN’S RIGHTS/TIDES CENTER
STAFF ATTORNEY POSITION

The Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights of the Tides Center is an
equal opportunity employer committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity.
The Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights invites applications for the position of Staff Attorney. The Young Center is dedicated to promoting the best interests—safety and well-being—of unaccompanied and separated immigrant children in the United States. The immediate focus of the Young Center’s work is to serve as Child Advocate (guardian ad litem for children in immigration proceedings) for unaccompanied and separated children pursuant to the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act. The Young Center also conducts policy advocacy at the local and national level to promote consideration of best interests in all decisions concerning immigrant children. The Young Center is a project of the Tides Center and is an independent non-profit organization based at the University of Chicago Law School.
The Staff Attorney’s primary responsibility will be to supervise law student and community volunteers serving as Child Advocates in Chicago, Ilinois, Harlingen, Texas and other sites around the country. As part of this responsibility, the Staff Attorney will be expected to travel at least one week every two months to Harlingen, Texas and other locations; conduct trainings in Harlingen and Chicago; accompany children to immigration court, as well as state juvenile and family court; and draft best interests briefs. Additionally, the Staff Attorney will co-teach the seminar that accompanies the Young Center clinic at the University of Chicago Law School, and supervise law students in their work. Applicants must be interested in non-litigation advocacy. The Young Center is a small, non-profit; all staff are expected to participate in fundraising, grant-writing and related activities.

This is a one-year position. While this is a Staff Attorney position, the person hired cannot provide any direct legal representation. Rather, the Staff Attorney will serve as, and supervise, Child Advocates. This position has the following minimum requirements:
(1) J.D. and appropriate authorization to practice law. (2) At least two years’ experience practicing immigration law, including preparing for and representing immigrants before immigration authorities, or the substantial equivalent. (3) Experience in working with immigrant and refugee children, or experience working with survivors of abuse, human trafficking, or other trauma. (4) A strong academic background, excellent writing and oral advocacy skills, and a commitment to public interest work. (5) Proficiency in Spanish. (6) Willingness to travel and spend up to a week every two months in Harlingen, Texas and other locations. (8) Ability to take initiative and also work collaboratively. (9) Enthusiasm for working with volunteers and teaching law students. (10) Passion, tenacity and optimism for the issues affecting immigrant children and their families.

To Apply:
Salary and benefits will be commensurate with experience. Review of candidates will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Please email or fax a cover letter, resume and at least three references to:
Alexandra Laguna, Administrative Assistant: alaguna@law.uchicago.edu or 773-702-2063 (fax)