We’re Hiring: Temporary Staff Attorney

RMIAN has an immediate opening for a Temporary Staff Attorney to represent noncitizens who are detained by ICE at the Denver Contract Immigration Detention Facility in Aurora, through the end of June 2025.  The successful candidate is a seasoned attorney able to manage a robust caseload independently and demonstrates a keen understanding of immigration law and legal strategy.  The Temporary Staff Attorney will primarily provide direct representation and supervise others providing direct representation to noncitizens detained at the Aurora facility who are selected without regard to the merits of their cases under RMIAN’s universal representation model. 

The ideal candidate:

• Has a minimum of two years of experience as an immigration attorney with significant experience representing detained noncitizens.

• Is committed to the idea that all those in removal proceedings deserve to have an attorney by their side.

• Has experience representing detained noncitizens with cases complicated by criminal legal contacts.

• Has experience working collaboratively and in coalition with other community organizations and stakeholders to advocate for systems change.

• Has a demonstrated commitment to antiracism, and promotes diversity, equity, justice, and inclusion at the organization both internally and externally.

• Is skilled at explaining complex legal issues in an accessible manner to recently arrived noncitizens and individuals unfamiliar with the complexities of immigration laws, processes, and procedures.

• Demonstrates empathy, is an active listener, exhibits excellent problem-solving abilities, understands the importance of constructive feedback, and easily builds trust with colleagues.

• Is dedicated to client-centered legal representation.

• Understands how to prioritize. The ideal candidate is organized, efficient, and has a keen eye for detail while keeping an eye on the big picture. This person enjoys handling multiple tasks running in parallel and can triage to meet time-sensitive deadlines while working toward larger goals.

• Is team-oriented and works in collaboration with RMIAN staff members, clients, and community partners while also being able to manage casework and deadlines independently.

• Has a strong commitment to serving low-income and underserved communities, with an ability to relate to and communicate with a broad range of clients and colleagues.

• Is skilled at building rapport with clients and at building relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders (including governmental agencies, nonprofit providers, and community partners). Acts with courtesy, patience, and poise, and is excited to share RMIAN’s work with others.

• Effectively balances the interests of clients, colleagues, programs, and the organization.

• Models effective approaches and raises issues along with potential solutions.

• 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 the need for extensive oversight.

Responsibilities:

Direct Representation

• Provide high-quality legal representation detained noncitizens in their immigration legal matters.

• Manage a complex caseload independently with minimal need for supervision or guidance on legal work or strategy. Track and meet all case deadlines. Demonstrate superior legal skills and analysis and high-quality written work that requires minimal review or editing.

Outreach, Community Education, Development, and Organizational Efforts

• Participate in RMIAN’s outreach, community education, and development efforts.

• Foster relationships with clients willing to engage in campaigns to promote public awareness of RMIAN’s work and its impact on people who seek lasting protection from deportation in the United States.

• Participate in community building, committee work and other activities within RMIAN.

• Promote RMIAN’s mission, values and organizational commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Required skills and experience:

• Minimum of five years’ experience as a practicing immigration attorney.

• Experience representing detained noncitizens in removal proceedings.

• Admission to any state bar.

• Professional proficiency in English and Spanish sufficient to represent clients without an interpreter (will be tested during interviews)

• Deep dedication to immigration legal services, working with individuals in detention, commitment to working with members of marginalized groups, and people with prior history of involvement in the criminal and immigration legal systems.

• Demonstrated cultural competency.

Location:

This position is based out of RMIAN’s office located in Westminster, Colorado but requires frequent travel to the Aurora Contract Detention Facility in Aurora, Colorado. Currently, remote work is possible when office presence is not required for business operations.

Compensation:

This is a full-time, salaried, exempt position. Salary is commensurate with experience; the range is between $64,000 to $80,000. Salary includes a generous 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);

• Dental & vision insurance (90% covered by RMIAN);

• Life insurance & professional liability insurance (100% covered);

• Professional development funds and opportunities;

• Eligibility to participate in RMIAN’s Simple IRA retirement plan (RMIAN matches 4%);

• Eligibility to participate in RMIAN’s flexible spending plan; and

• Eight-week sabbatical after five years of employment.

If this profile calls to you, please send your resume, a short cover letter that explains why this role is a great fit for you, a writing sample, and references to hr@rmian.org.

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.