Managing Attorney

The Organization:
The Florence Project 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, youth, and children detained in Eloy, Florence, Phoenix, and Tucson, Arizona on any given day. In 2001, the Florence Project implemented our Integrated Social Services Program, one of the first of its kind in this field. The Florence Project provides high quality legal and social services and supports initiatives for national changes in immigration law and policy.

Primary Purpose of the Job:

The position involves representation of individuals detained in the Florence and Eloy detention centers, and in some cases continuing representation once released in Arizona. The Managing Attorney will supervise the legal and administrative work of staff in the projects mentioned below, mentor legal staff, and oversee the coordination and provision of services. The Managing Attorney will also collaborate on training and professional development initiatives for staff and participate with program development and outreach activities, in conjunction with other managers, the Adult Program Manager, Associate Program Manager and/or other members of the Leadership Team. This position reports to the Adult Program Manager or Associate Program Manager.

The Direct Representation Team members handle a variety of forms of relief from deportation and bond hearings and represent individuals with cutting edge legal claims. Additionally, team members provide direct representation to both detained and released individuals in immigration removal proceedings with serious mental health conditions who have been found incompetent to represent themselves.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Supervisory Leadership Responsibilities

• On a limited basis, provide direct representation to detained individuals in Florence and Eloy and to some released clients where appointed as counsel. Direct representation will also include second chairing supervised attorneys in a wide variety of deportation defense cases.
• Supervise the legal and administrative staff, as assigned This includes overseeing and being responsible for the quality of services provided, conducting case reviews with supervised staff as needed, and providing training, mentorship, and support to the staff. The Managing Attorney will work closely with the Program Manager and/or Associate Program Manager, providing regular updates on supervision, oversight, and program performance.
• Lead the implementation of any changes to the scope of legal services provided or the model for delivering those services.
• Oversee case review meetings with legal staff and interns, hire new staff, coordinate orientation for new hires in conjunction with other departments, and plan trainings for legal staff.
• Participate in program development with relevant managers and/or members of the Leadership Team, including participating in strategic planning, as needed.
• Supervise and maintain accurate and timely data and reports that reflect the work completed by the team.
• Oversee collection of data by the staff for various grants and contracts, complete quarterly reporting for funders, and participate in network calls, meetings, and trainings.
• Attract, retain, lead, coach and develop an effective, diverse team, and provide a collegial, calm, and collaborative work environment that is client centered.
• Develop, monitor, and evaluate staff goals, caseloads, and work plans.
• Coach, train, mentor, and support the staff to ensure they have the necessary tools and resources needed to optimize performance and achieve established program goals and that effective communication exists among the staff and the team, including establishing and maintaining regular team meetings.
• Responsible for working in collaboration with Program Manager, Associate Program Manager, and the Office of People and Culture regarding hiring, orientation, employee relations, performance management and evaluation of staff.
• Oversee criteria and procedures for accepting, opening, managing and closing case files; formulate legal strategies for cases and designate protocols for the allocation of limited resources.
• Develop and implement quality assurance protocols; ensure quality of services provided to all stakeholders.
• Work with Program Manager, Associate Program Manager, and other relevant staff to ensure that FIRRP’s legal practice is in compliance and good standing with all relevant bodies and agencies.

Casework:

• Provide direct representation to individuals pursuing immigration relief including challenging casework, release advocacy, appeals, mental health casework, and second chairing cases with new attorneys.
• Oversee attorney meetings, regular joint case review, and intake review meetings with legal staff, and plan legal trainings as needed.
• Well-versed, and remain current in immigration law, and on implications of criminal and civil law as it applies to the representation of immigrants and refugees. Establish and implement policies and procedures about those interactions, as needed.
• Ensure all staff complies with required ethical standards, preserve client confidentiality, and avoid conflicts of interest.

Advocacy

• Develop and maintain cooperative relationships with local and national community partners, including but not limited to private immigration attorneys, public officials, law enforcement officials, and other nonprofits that provide services to the immigrant population.
• Develop and maintain professional relationships with the Immigration Court (EOIR) and the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS), government and social service organizations, and community organizations.
• Attend occasional meetings with officials and stakeholders as needed.
• Communicate with the Program Manager and/or Associate Program Manager and Advocacy program about possible advocacy initiatives and legal trainings for the community.
• Support Florence Project outreach and development activities as needed.

Other Duties & Responsibilities:

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

Minimum Requirements:

• J.D. and licensed to practice law in any state or jurisdiction.

• Experience supervising staff or interns and demonstrated ability to inspire confidence in others and play a supportive role.

• Be a proactive and engaged supervisor without micromanaging and be a clear and thoughtful decision maker.

• In lieu of supervisory experience, leadership potential and excellent communication and interpersonal skills, as well as ability to learn and execute a variety of job requirements with the capacity to be trained to be an effective manager may be considered.

• Demonstrate commitment to advocating for indigent immigrant clients in a respectful and empowering way.

• Demonstrate a zealous support of the Florence Project’s mission.

• Must be passionate about due process for all and enjoy working with people with complex and diverse criminal records and social histories.

• Strong litigation experience and/or oral advocacy skills.

• 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.

• 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.

• Fluency or advanced proficiency in Spanish required.

• 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:

• 2+ years of minimum experience providing direct representation to immigrant’s removal proceedings, and extensive knowledge of immigration law, specifically deportation defense, asylum, and criminal-immigration law issues is strongly preferred.

• Prior advocacy work in immigrant rights, human rights, LGBTQ rights, criminal justice, or experience working with trauma survivors is a plus.

• Experience with databases and data tracking (i.e., Legal Server) is a plus.

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.

• Travel regularly between offices located in Tucson, Phoenix and Florence, and secondary work locations.

• Frequent time in detention facilities and immigration courts located in Florence and Eloy.

• 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.

Salary & Benefits:

This is a full-time position. Salary is competitive for our field and geographical area. Salaries will be calculated based on relevant experience and our established comprehensive wage scale: $84,676.80 - $117,581.69 Annually DOE.

We strive to create and uphold a positive, supportive, and inclusive work environment for all staff. We offer excellent benefits, including:

• Medical plans including health, dental, vision coverage, subject to plan terms

• Short Term Disability

• Eligibility for group benefits such as voluntary life insurance, subject to applicable waiting periods

• Retirement plan, subject to plan terms

• Paid Time Off earned on a biweekly accrual basis- Twenty-five (25) Days of Vacation Time, annually

• Five (5) Days of Medical/Sick Time, annually

• One (1) Day of Personal Time, monthly

• Eight (8) Week Paid Sabbatical, after three years of employment

• Bereavement leave.

• Fifteen (15) Organization-paid holidays, all observed

• Eligible for Parental Leave which includes Twelve (13) paid weeks

• Mileage reimbursement for travel between offices and places of work.

• Relocation Assistance for out of state new hires available for some positions.

Application Process:

This is an immediate opening. Salary is commensurate with experience. 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.

At FIRRP, we recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the requirements of a job.  If your experience is close to what you see listed in our current job opportunities, please still consider applying.  Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and excellence, which is very much valued at FIRRP.  Therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions.  Please let us know if you require accommodations during the interview process.

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

Keywords

Managing AttorneyLegal ServicesImmigration LawSupervisoryAdvocacyLeadershipProgram DevelopmentOutreachTrainingMentorshipQuality AssuranceComplianceSpanish Proficiency