Law Clerk - Advocacy - Spring 2023

The Organization

The Florence Project (Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project, or FIRRP) was founded in 1989 to respond to a representation crisis for indigent non-citizens detained at the rural Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Detention Center in Florence, Arizona. Through our programs today, we provide services to thousands of adults and children detained in Eloy, Florence, Phoenix, and Tucson, Arizona, on any given day. The Florence Project is nationally known for its legal and social services that ensure that detained immigrants are empowered and have access to justice. The Florence Project provides high-quality legal services and supports initiatives for national changes in immigration law and policy, and currently has 180 staff members and offices in Phoenix, Tucson, and Florence, Arizona.

Law Clerk - Advocacy:

The Law Clerk will support in our Advocacy team’s priorities including  district court litigation challenging prolonged detention, egregious delays on decisions from federal agencies, and claims under the Federal Tort Claims Act. The clerk will also support our ongoing work with filing complaints related to detention conditions and as able, any related regional or national advocacy with partners and/or stakeholders. May require some visits to detention facilities in Eloy and Florence.

This position will be assigned either to our Phoenix or Tucson office. Clerk will be expected to provide 10-20 hours of work weekly for the fall semester for paid compensation or school credits depending on law school policy.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Casework

• Assist with preparation of cases, research case law, conduct legal research, assist with drafting legal papers, help formulate required evidence. Proof and edit forms and documents. Follow up with client and gather necessary information.

• Attend meetings on cases and relevant meetings and trainings for  attorneys and accredited reps.

• Complies with required ethical standards, preserves client confidentiality, and avoids conflict of interest.

• Maintain complete and accurate case notes and client records. Prepare timely statistical reports. Assists with preparation of quarterly case audits for presentation and review of the Managing Attorney.

• Participate in training on immigration procedures and may conduct training sessions as assigned.

Advocacy

• Appear before EOIR or USCIS under the supervision of a staff attorney.
• Support Florence Project outreach and development activities as needed.
• Perform other administrative duties as needed.

Other Duties & Responsibilities:

• Participate in organizational fundraising and outreach efforts as requested.
• Participates in developing and implementing special projects or presentations.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Degrees, Certificates, Licenses, Registration, Experience, Skills, and Abilities:

• Bachelor’s Degree and currently attending law school, having completed at least one year of study.

• Fluency or advanced proficiency in Spanish.

• Ability to spend 15-20 hours per week as a Law Clerk.

• Demonstrated commitment to advocating for indigent immigrant clients in a respectful and empowering way, zealous support of the Florence Project’s mission, and displays a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

• Highly organized, able to be an innovative thinker and work in high volume setting with limited resources.

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with diverse populations.

• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.

• Excellent problem solving, research and analytical skills, is able to effectively manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.

• A hardworking, flexible, respectful team player that can work effectively in a collaborative, innovative, and client-centered work environment. Can also work independently and is adaptable and reliable in the face of conflict, pressure, crisis or changing priorities.

• Exhibits high ethical standards and the ability to maintain confidentiality.

• Must be able to pass federal and state background checks.

• Must have a valid driver license and reliable transportation.

• Proven computer skills.

Preferred Knowledge, Experience, Skills, and Abilities:

• Pursuit of a J.D. degree required with preference for those in their 3rd year of law school
• Experience with law review is a plus.
• Experience working with children/teenagers and survivors of trauma is a plus.
• Experience with databases and data tracking (i.e. Legal Server, Sharepoint).

Working Conditions/Physical Demands:

• Operate in a professional office environment and requires the ability to sit for long periods of time with intermittent walking, standing, bending, squatting, pulling and pushing.

• Requires the ability to use standard office equipment such as scanners, computers, keyboards, phones, shredders, photocopiers, and filing cabinets.  Requires the ability to lift-up to ten pounds - accommodations may be available.

• Requires to travel regularly between offices, and secondary work locations.

• Require frequent time in children’s shelter detention facilities and immigration courts located in Tucson and Phoenix.

• The Florence Project has three offices: Florence, Tucson, and Phoenix. Depending on the needs of the program, the position may be based in any of the offices.

• Effective September 1, 2021, FIRRP has implemented a mandatory COVID-19 vaccine policy.   To comply with this policy, active employees must be fully vaccinated by October 15, 2021.  Employees seeking an exemption due to a medical condition or sincerely-held religious belief should contact our Human Resources Department at humanresources@firrp.org.

Application Process:

The position will remain open until we receive enough qualified applicants. To apply, please submit a cover letter detailing your interest in the position as well as your resume, three professional references. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and candidates are encouraged to apply early. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. The Florence Project values diversity in the workplace and strongly encourages applications from people of color, LGBTQ individuals, persons with disabilities, and members of underrepresented communities.

This internship announcement is for informational purposes only and is subject to change and modification without notice. This internship announcement includes a non-exhaustive list of responsibilities, qualifications and requirements of the position, but does not necessarily include all the functions of the position.