Legal Internship - Children's Program - Summer 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.

Primary Purpose of the Job:

Under the supervision and guidance of a Florence Project attorney the Legal Intern will have the opportunity to assist in all aspects of legal advocacy including “Know Your Rights” presentations for unaccompanied children’s shelters, individual intakes, pre-court counseling sessions, direct client work, application preparation, drafting of client declarations, researching of novel issues, legal memorandum writing, appellate research, and overall programmatic development. Interns will assist with direct representation before the Executive Office for Immigration Review (immigration court), the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, and state juvenile court.

Depending on experience and court requirements, the Legal Intern may also have the opportunity to represent individuals in hearings before an Immigration Judge under the supervision and guidance of a Florence Project attorney should the court’s schedule permit it.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Casework
• Assist with preparation of cases, research case law, assist with drafting legal papers, help formulate required evidence.
• Proof and edit forms and documents.
• Follow up with client and to gather necessary information.
• Attend meetings, including staff meetings and joint case review meetings.
• Attend assigned trainings.
• Well versed, and remains current in immigration law, and on implications of criminal and civil law as it applies to the representation of detainees.
• Comply with required ethical standards, preserves client confidentiality, and avoids conflict of interest.
• Maintain complete and accurate case notes and client records.
• Participate in training on immigration procedures and may conduct training sessions as assigned such as “Know Your Rights” presentations.

Advocacy:

Support FIRRP outreach and development activities as needed.

Other Duties & Responsibilities:

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

Minimum Requirements:

• Currently attending law school, having completed at least one year of study.
• Fluency or advanced proficiency in Spanish required.
• 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.
• Must be comfortable working with people with criminal convictions.
• Strong legal research.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with diverse populations.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Highly organized, an innovative thinker, and work in high-volume settings with limited resources.
• Accuracy and attention to detail a must.
• Ability to do repetitive tasks for long periods of time.
• 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.
• Effectively manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrate to be a hardworking, flexible, respectful team player that can work effectively in a collaborative, innovative, and client centered work environment.  Ability to work independently, be adaptable and reliable in the face of conflict, pressure, crisis or changing priorities.
• Exhibit high ethical standards and the ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Must be able to pass federal and state background checks.
• Travel is required for this position.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
• Proven computer skills.  Advanced understanding of basic office applications.

Preferred Requirements:

• Pursuit of a J.D. degree preferred.
• Prior work internship, regular or volunteer work experience in immigration rights, human rights, criminal justice, or in a nonprofit legal services setting is a plus.
• Experience with databases and data tracking (i.e., Legal Server).

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.
• 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.
• Could require traveling regularly between offices, and secondary work locations.
• This position requires frequent time in detention facilities and immigration courts located in Tucson, Phoenix and Florence.
• 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.