Managing Attorney - Direct Representation & Trafficking Response Team

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 work of Senior Attorneys, Staff Attorneys, and Legal Assistants within the Direct Representation Team and the Trafficking Response Team. The supervision includes mentor legal staff, provide legal representation to detained immigrants and provide legal trainings to the community with an emphasis in providing guidance and technical assistants for survivors of trafficking.  The Managing Attorney will also collaborate on training and professional development initiatives for legal staff and participate with program development and outreach activities, in conjunction with the managing team, Adult Program Manager, Deputy Director and Co-Executive Directors. This position reports to the Adult 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 asylum issues. Additionally, team members provide direct representation to detained. In specific situations, the supervision may include released individuals in immigration removal proceedings with serious mental health conditions who have been found incompetent to represent themselves.

The Trafficking Response Team will be imbedded within the Direct Representation Team to support in capacity of direct representation and technical assistance regarding survivors of trafficking. The Managing Attorney will manage the process and procedures of identifying and screening clients who are survivors of trafficking and manage the legal and social service response. In addition, the Managing Attorney will support the Trafficking Response Team as technical assistance for trafficking for both FIRRP staff and community partners and stakeholders.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Supervisory Leadership Responsibilities:

• Supervise Direct Representation and Trafficking Response Team’s Attorneys and Legal Assistants. This includes overseeing and being responsible for the quality of services provided by the team, conducting regular case reviews with supervised staff as needed, and providing training, mentorship, and support to the legal staff.  The Trafficking Response Team Managing Attorney will work under the Adult Program Manager and in close communication with the Children’s Program Manager to ensure consistency with the Children’s Program Trafficking Response Team.

• Create and manage a protocol for a comprehensive screening and referral system to receive referrals from law enforcement, including referrals from Cochise County, community partners, and FIRRP legal teams. Create protocols as to next steps after receiving calls from justice partners and community partners.

• Create, implement, and conduct outreach in the community and with stakeholders to provide education on trauma informed screening and identification practices, as well as appropriate referral process for victims of trafficking. Managing and supporting the Trafficking Response Team to complete 5-10 trainings per year to both staff and/or community partners and stakeholders, as an overall goal.

• Leading the team to build an ecosystem of resources for trafficking survivors by researching and contacting service providers across the country. Identify and collaborate with organizations and service providers currently doing anti-trafficking work in Arizona to improve continuity of care and streamlining referrals to the appropriate providers. Increase participation in already existing anti-trafficking coalitions for awareness of the specific vulnerabilities facing individuals in immigration removal proceedings.

• Hire new staff, coordinate orientation for new hires, and plan trainings for legal staff.

• Participate in program development with the Legal Director, Deputy Director, and the Co-Executive Director, including participating in annual strategic planning retreats with Board and staff.

• Lead the implementation of any changes to the scope of direct representation legal services provided or the model for delivering those services.

• Supervise and maintain accurate and timely data and reports that reflect the work. Oversee collection of data by the legal staff for various grant funded positions, complete quarterly reporting for funders, and participate in network calls, meetings, and trainings.

• Develop, monitor, and evaluate staff goals, caseloads, and work plans.

• Coach, train, mentor, and support the legal 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 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 other Managing Attorneys, Executive Director and administrative 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 including challenging casework, appeals, and second chairing cases with new attorneys with an emphasis towards survivors of trafficking .

• Oversee attorney meetings, weekly 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 with an emphasis on trafficking issues.  Establish and implement policies and procedures.

• Ensure all staff complies with required ethical standards, preserve client confidentiality, and avoid conflicts of interest.

Advocacy:

• Collaborate with FIRRP’s Advocacy Team and participate in local and national anti-trafficking initiatives. This could also include supporting with efforts in support of anti-trafficking legislative initiatives.

• 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 EOIR, ICE officials, and/or CCA officials to discuss ongoing issues.

• Communicate with the Program Manager and Advocacy program about possible advocacy initiatives and legal trainings for the community.

• 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.
• Participate in developing and implementing special projects or presentations.
• Other administrative duties as necessary

Minimum Requirements:

• Must be licensed to practice law in Arizona (or willing to take Arizona bar exam), or eligible to waive into practice in Arizona (have two years of good standing in another state bar or have received a score of 273 or greater on the Universal Bar Exam).

• 2 years minimum experience providing direct representation to immigrants in removal proceedings or other relevant experience required. Other relevant experience as a lawyer could be considered.

• 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 comfortable working with people with criminal convictions.

• Demonstrated comfort with public speaking.

• 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 immigrants removal proceedings, and extensive knowledge of immigration law, specifically deportation defense, asylum, and criminal-immigration law issues is strongly preferred.
• 2 years of prior experience practicing before the Arizona Courts, the Immigration Courts, or USCIS 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, 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 and is commensurate with experience: $78,000-$89,000 Annually. 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.

• Company-paid federal holidays, all observed

• Eligible for Parental Leave which includes Twelve (12) 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.