We're Hiring: Pro Bono Coordinating Attorney
RMIAN has an immediate opening for a Pro Bono Coordinating Attorney in its Children’s Program to ensure justice for children and families in immigration proceedings. The Pro Bono Coordinating Attorney will recruit, train, and mentor volunteer attorneys to provide representation for children and families in immigration matters. The Pro Bono Coordinating Attorney will place cases with volunteer attorneys, mentor volunteer attorneys, develop pro bono recruitment and training materials, coordinate training and recognition events, develop relationships with pro bono partners, and develop systems for tracking and mentoring cases. This position will also provide a limited amount of direct representation to children and families in their immigration cases.
This position is meant for an attorney with experience practicing immigration law who is exceptionally organized and efficient, who is passionate about providing equal access to all and excited to bring new partners into RMIAN’s work, and who is a systems thinker who is proactive, collaborative, and can work independently.
The ideal candidate:
Is an attorney who has a solid base of substantive legal knowledge of immigration law and demonstrates a strong commitment to immigrant justice – this person knows how to run an immigration case, especially for children and families, and is passionate about RMIAN’s work and mission.
Is comfortable in both nonprofit and for-profit realms – this person is able to evaluate and prioritize requests from pro bono attorneys while balancing capacity constraints and to communicate effectively with stakeholders at RMIAN, other nonprofits, and law firms.
Is exceptionally organized – this person LOVES handling details and multiple projects running in parallel, methodically creating and working through checklists, and competently multi-tasking.
Is a systems-minded person who finds and creates efficiencies – this person naturally conceptualizes workflow through a systems approach, thrives on innovating to make tasks more streamlined, and works quickly and accurately.
Is skilled at building relationships and bringing new partners to RMIAN’s work – this person acts with courtesy, patience and poise, is excited to share RMIAN’s work with others, is confident speaking to groups, and is a natural salesperson.
Is able to be responsive and act on time-sensitive inquiries – this person responds to stakeholders quickly, is skilled at time management, and triages to meet time-sensitive priorities.
Is able to work autonomously and independently—this person doesn’t require micromanaging and can be trusted to manage and meet deadlines and complete tasks in a timely manner without prompting.
Responsibilities:
Pro bono recruitment and appreciation (20%)
Maintain and further develop existing relationships with law firms, corporate legal departments, and legal organizations throughout the state, region, and country.
Affirmatively recruit and cultivate new relationships with attorneys, law firms, and corporate legal departments nationwide through recruitment calls and meetings, information sessions and trainings, and the use of volunteer recruitment platforms.
Respond to inquiries from prospective pro bono attorneys; hold introductory recruitment calls.
Co-plan and co-execute RMIAN’s annual pro bono appreciation event, and other smaller events and communications to recognize pro bono attorneys and other volunteers.
Pro bono placement (40%)
Screen and prepare new cases for pro bono placement; coordinate with clients on the status of their pro bono placement.
Publicize cases needing pro bono attorneys, including drafting weekly email digest to pro bono attorney mailing list, editing RMIAN’s website and making targeted asks to pro bono partners.
Match pro bono attorneys with cases; process placements by coordinating mentorship for pro bono attorneys, conveying client information to pro bono attorneys, drafting and selecting appropriate referral materials, and completing administrative steps necessary to formalize placement in RMIAN systems.
Coordinate with clients, pro bono attorneys, interpreters, and mentors to assure placement is complete and successful.
Pro bono mentoring (20%)
Respond to case inquiries from pro bono attorneys regarding procedural and substantive aspects of pro bono representation; field phone calls and email inquiries in a prompt manner.
Assist pro bono attorneys in resolving case emergencies and ethical issues and navigating changes in the law.
Maintain and develop mentoring materials on RMIAN’s pro bono website portal.
Liaise with RMIAN’s panel of volunteer pro bono mentors and organize office hours for mentors.
Serve as a mentor for pro bono attorneys as needed, including reviewing volunteer attorney work product and advising on case strategy, cross-cultural communication, and trauma informed representation.
Pro bono training (10%)
Develop and organize written training materials in response to changing law and practice.
Deliver trainings to pro bono attorneys on legal representation of children and families in immigration matters, including on Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, asylum and related protections, U and T Visa, VAWA, representation in removal proceedings, and guardianship and allocation of parental responsibilities (APR) petitions in state court.
Co-plan and co-execute RMIAN’s annual Immigration Law Continuing Legal Education (CLE) program with the Colorado Bar Association, and other CLEs and training programs as needed.
Direct Representation, Outreach and Advocacy (10%)
Represent children and families in immigration matters before the Denver Immigration Court, the Board of Immigration Appeals, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, and on family law matters before the Colorado state courts, as interest and capacity permits.
Contribute to Children’s Program work and advocacy related to advancing protections for immigrant and refugee children, families and survivors of crimes in the United States.
Participate in RMIAN’s outreach, community education, communication, and development efforts and assist with other tasks as needed.
Required Skills and Experience:
Admission to state bar, preferably Colorado
Experience in immigration law or in a similar pro bono coordinator role
Passion for RMIAN’s mission and demonstrated commitment to public interest law
Strong sense of personal initiative
Excellent oral (including public speaking) and written communication skills
Ability to enthusiastically maintain and build relationships with attorneys, law firms, volunteers, and other stakeholders
Demonstrated cultural competency
Proof of vaccination against COVID-19 required, or a request for reasonable accommodation prior to commencing employment with RMIAN.
Location:
This position is based in Westminster, Colorado. RMIAN’s operations are currently on a hybrid remote/in-person model, requiring at least two days a week of work in RMIAN’s office, or other work-related locations. More in-office time will be required during training and onboarding.
Compensation:
This is a full-time, salaried, exempt position. The salary range depends on experience and ranges from $65,000 to $75,000. Salary includes a phenomenal benefits package, which includes:
Generous paid time off with 15 days of vacation in the first year of employment and an additional 2 days for each additional year of employment, 10 sick days, 11 Federal holidays, plus, an annual week-long holiday office closure;
Excellent health insurance (100% covered by RMIAN);
Life insurance, professional liability insurance, and short-term disability insurance (100% covered by RMIAN);
Eligibility to participate in RMIAN’s Simple IRA retirement plan (RMIAN matches three percent);
Eligibility to participate in RMIAN’s flexible spending plan; and
Eight-week sabbatical after five years of employment.
If this profile calls out to you, please send a tailored, authentic cover letter that explains 1) why this mission excites you; and 2) why this particular role is a fit for you – along with your resume, a writing sample, and a list of three references – to hr@rmian.org.
Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
RMIAN is an equal opportunity employer and recognizes the importance of diversity in the workplace. We encourage applications from people of color, immigrants, women, members of the LGBTQ community, and other underrepresented and marginalized groups. RMIAN does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status or veteran status. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment free from discrimination.