Senior Staff Attorney, Detained Client Initiative

Description

PURPOSE STATEMENT
Ayuda seeks a Senior Staff Attorney, Detained Client Initiative to provide high-quality immigration legal representation to detained clients and to help build Ayuda’s internal capacity for detained immigration work. The position will serve as a lead subject-matter attorney for the Detained Initiative, carry a detained caseload, support participating Ayuda staff, mentor pro bono attorneys, and help develop the systems, templates, trainings, and practice resources needed to responsibly launch and sustain this special initiative.

ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE

Ayuda is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing direct legal, social and language access services, education, and outreach to low-income immigrants in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Since 1973, Ayuda has provided critical services on a wide range of issues, in the process acquiring nationally recognized expertise in several fields including immigration law, language access, domestic violence and human trafficking. Ayuda has office locations in Washington, DC, Silver Spring, MD and Fairfax, VA.

WHY DO YOU WANT THIS JOB?

Because, just like everyone at Ayuda, you believe:

- In seeing communities where all immigrants succeed and thrive in the United?States.
- In the overall success of our organization and all our programs.
- That families should be healthy and safe from harm.
- That all people should have access to professional, honest, and ethical services, regardless of ability to pay or status in this country.
- That diversity and equality make this country better.

ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE
Ayuda is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing direct legal, social, and language access services, education, and outreach to low-income immigrants in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Since 1973, Ayuda has provided critical services across a wide range of issues and has developed nationally recognized expertise in immigration law, language access, domestic violence, and human trafficking. Ayuda has office locations in Washington, DC, Silver Spring, Maryland, and Fairfax, Virginia.

WHY DO YOU WANT THIS JOB?
Because, just like everyone at Ayuda, you believe in communities where all immigrants succeed and thrive in the United States; that families should be healthy and safe from harm; that all people should have access to professional, honest, and ethical services regardless of ability to pay or immigration status; and that diversity, equity, and inclusion make our communities stronger. This role offers an opportunity to provide urgent, high-stakes representation to detained immigrants while helping Ayuda build a thoughtful and sustainable detained-representation model.

WHAT WILL THIS JOB ENTAIL?
As this position is intended to oversee work in all three Ayuda offices, an Ayuda office is not identified at the time of application. However, a candidate will be asked to identify their primary Ayuda office (DC; Fairfax, VA; or Silver Spring, MD) at the time of hire and may require travel to other Ayuda offices, detention centers in the DMV, community locations, courts, or other relevant locations depending on assigned initiatives. This position is hybrid and will include both in-person and remote workdays, subject to program needs and organizational policy.?

- Support the development, implementation, and refinement of the emerging Detained Client Initiative aligned with Ayuda's strategic priorities.
- Translate broad project goals into concrete activities, deliverables, and recommendations in collaboration with the Managing Attorney.
- Provide direct legal representation to detained clients in matters within the approved scope of the Detained Client Initiative, which may include bond proceedings, habeas petitions, removal defense, custody-related strategy, and related immigration matters.
- Serve as Ayuda’s primary subject-matter attorney for detained immigration work and help develop internal expertise, case-selection criteria, and practice standards.
- Co-counsel detained matters with interested Ayuda attorneys who have capacity and supervisory approval.
- Mentor, train, and support pro bono attorneys handling detained cases placed or supported through Ayuda.
- Conduct or support know-your-rights presentations, outreach, legal consultations, and community education related to detained immigrant communities.
- Create and maintain templates, trainings, practice advisories, screening tools, case-management processes, and quality-control systems for detained matters.
- Supervise the Paralegal or Paralegal-Coordinator assigned to the Detained Client Initiative, if applicable.
- Consult regularly with outside counsel, mentoring organizations, or other detained-practice experts when specialized review or case-specific guidance is needed.
- Track case activity, deadlines, client outcomes, service data, trends, and systemic barriers to inform project design, funding, and evaluation.
- Help ensure compliance with conflicts procedures, engagement practices, ethical obligations, grant or contract requirements, and Ayuda policies.

Requirements

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU CAN DO THIS JOB?
Eligibility Requirements:

- Must be legally able to work in the United States and maintain proper work authorization throughout employment.
- Must be a member in good standing of a state bar or eligible to practice immigration law before federal agencies under applicable rules.
- Must be able to meet the physical requirements of the position in a general office, hybrid, court, detention, and community-based environment.
- Must be comfortable traveling to and entering immigration dentition centers in DC, Maryland, or Virginia. Must be comfortable interacting with agents and officers from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in these detained settings.?
- A valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle is required.

Qualifications: The following qualifications are the qualities, experiences, and skills we seek in a candidate. Candidates who do not meet every single qualification, but who still believe they would be the right fit for this role, are encouraged to apply.

- Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
- At least 5 years of immigration legal experience, with substantial experience in detained immigration work.
- Experience representing clients in immigration court, before immigration agencies, or in related federal litigation or custody matters.
- Strong understanding of trauma-informed, client-centered, and culturally responsive legal services.
- Demonstrated ability to manage urgent deadlines, complex cases, and high-stakes client matters with sound judgment and professionalism.
- Experience mentoring attorneys, supervising legal staff, training pro bono attorneys, or developing legal practice tools strongly preferred.
- Excellent legal research, writing, oral advocacy, case-management, and communication skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively across teams and with community partners, pro bono attorneys, outside counsel, and organizational leadership.
- Spanish language proficiency strongly preferred.
- Ability to collaborate across teams to gather input, build alignment, and turn innovative ideas into practical solutions.
- Comfort with ambiguity and the ability to establish structure, priorities, and direction in evolving environments.
- Resourcefulness and adaptability when navigating challenges without established processes or clear precedents.

SALARY AND BENEFITS
The anticipated salary for this position is $83,700-102,300, depending on experience.

We are proud of the benefits we can offer that include:

- Platinum-level medical insurance plan 100% employer-paid
- Dental and vision insurance 100% employer paid
- Long-term disability insurance 100% employer paid
- Life and AD&D insurance 100% employer paid
- Pre-tax 401(k) with Employer match on first 3% of salary
- Vacation Days: 21 days per year until year 3, 27 per year in years 3-7 and 33 days per year after 7 years employment. Employees begin with 3 days of vacation leave.
- New employees begin with 5 days of Health & Wellness (sick) leave and accrue an additional 5 hours per pay period plus emergency medical leave up to 12 weeks per year
- 12 weeks paid parental leave
- 24 days paid holidays and staff wellness days, including Winter Break, the last week of the year
- Job-related professional development fees (including annual state bar dues and professional memberships)

Employees with federal student loan debt may be eligible to apply for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the Department of Education. For more information, go to https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service .

This position is exempt for overtime purposes.

TO APPLY
Please apply with a resume and cover letter. Writing samples may be requested. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Apply early for full consideration. No phone calls, please.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT STATEMENT
Ayuda is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

We believe that a diversity of experiences, opinions, and backgrounds is integral to achieving our mission and vision. We celebrate diversity and seek to leverage the passion, energy, and ideas of a culturally diverse team. Our hiring decisions are based on merit, and our hiring and promotion practices comply with all applicable anti-discrimination laws.