Pro Bono Staff Attorney

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About IRAP

The International Refugee Assistance Project (“IRAP”) is a dynamic and growing legal and policy advocacy organization that works to develop and enforce a system of legal and human rights for refugees and displaced people around the world. We are the leading organization providing free and comprehensive legal services to people in need of a safe place to live and a safe way to get there.

IRAP operates offices in the U.S. (New York City, Washington, D.C.), Jordan (Amman), Lebanon (Beirut), and Germany (Berlin). Our legal teams work closely with a corps of pro bono lawyers from leading law firms and multi-national corporations, and law students who have created IRAP chapters across the United States and Canada. Through this work, we aim to assist refugees and other displaced people to find safe passage and to transform the landscape of refugee rights in the U.S. and internationally. IRAP has over 80 full-time staff members. We are a nimble organization staffed by an innovative and collaborative team that is committed to high standards of quality and close partnerships with our clients, peers, and colleagues.

IRAP believes that diversity is critical to fostering a strong workplace and serving our clients well. We strongly encourage applications from people with lived experiences in the communities that we serve, members of other marginalized communities, and individuals whose identities are underrepresented in the legal profession.

About Department

IRAP’s pro bono department supports the work of all IRAP departments by building capacity for our work through training and mobilizing pro bono attorneys from over 75 law firms and corporations around the world. Additionally, the pro bono department is in charge of managing 29 law school chapters in the United States and Canada, who assist IRAP with pro bono work, engage in advocacy on refugee and immigration issues, and work in their local communities. 

The pro bono department currently has two staff members, the Director of Pro Bono and the Student Coordinator. Together, we design and support the management of pro bono projects with other departments, staff new cases, research, and other matters with law students and attorneys, and work to mobilize the legal community for our mission. 

Opportunity

IRAP is seeking a Staff Attorney to join its growing pro bono department to mentor pro bono attorneys and law students on cases and projects. Please note that this position will not handle a large volume of cases directly, but instead will be dedicated to managing projects and training, mobilizing, and mentoring other attorneys and law students.

Responsibilities

  • Working with the Director of Pro Bono, develop pro bono project related to assisting Afghans to file humanitarian parole applications, including developing trainings and other resources and mentoring pro bono teams;
  • Develop resources related to the US Refugee Admissions Program’s new P-2 program for Afghans and if possible, develop and manage a pro bono legal assistance project for P-2 cases.
  • Develop and manage pro bono projects for pro bono attorneys and law students, including developing project protocols, drafting and leading trainings, mentoring pro bono or student teams, and managing involvement of and liaising with other IRAP staff;
  • Maintain a small docket of pro bono cases;
  • Monitor post-filing pro bono cases from the US Legal Department and other IRAP departments;
  • In collaboration with the Director of Strategy and other IRAP staff, develop and conduct substantive and skills trainings, other webinars, and written resources for pro bono attorneys and law students;
  • Other tasks as assigned.

Location: The candidate will work in one of IRAP’s offices in New York City or DC, but remote work candidates will be considered. 

Qualifications

  • Commitment to training, mobilizing, and working with pro bono attorneys and law students;
  • Law degree and authorization to practice law in the United States;
  • At least 2 years of U.S. immigration law work experience; 
  • Demonstrated ability to quickly learn and gain expertise in new legal concepts; 
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills (including public speaking) and strong interpersonal skills;
  • Experience developing and managing complex legal projects with volunteers and staff, including ability to be organized, pay attention to detail, and keep track of many different processes, logistics, and work streams at once;
  • Knowledge and experience working on humanitarian parole and US Refugee Admissions Program matters preferred but not required. 

Compensation

The annual salary range for this position is $74,800 – $84,700 commensurate with experience. May be subject to a collective bargaining agreement.

Application Instructions
Please submit a cover letter, resume, and a list of three references at this link. Review of applications will start immediately and continue on a rolling basis.