Staff or Senior Staff Attorney Remote

Senior Staff Attorney, Detained Client InitiativeAyuda 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.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.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.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; 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.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.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 detention 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.Qualifications: The following qualifications are the qualities, experiences, and skills we seek in a candidate. 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.Comfort with ambiguity and the ability to establish structure, priorities, and direction in evolving environments.Platinum-level medical insurance plan 100% employer-paidDental and vision insurance 100% employer paidLong-term disability insurance 100% employer paidLife and AD&D insurance 100% employer paidPre-tax 401(k) with Employer match on first 3% of salaryVacation Days: 21 days per year until year 3, 27 per year in years 3-7 and 33 days per year after 7 years employment. 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 year12 weeks paid parental leave24 days paid holidays and staff wellness days, including Winter Break, the last week of the yearJob-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 position is exempt for overtime purposes.Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled. No phone calls, please.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.