Managing Attorney

Managing Attorney

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. The Florence Project provides high quality legal and social services and supports initiatives for national changes in immigration law and policy.

The position involves supervision and oversight of representation work, and direct representation of individuals detained in the Florence and Eloy detention centers, and in some cases continuing representation once released in Arizona. The position also involves the oversight and supervision of pro se legal assistance to detained individuals, including Know Your Rights presentations, individual orientation and limited representation, and the direct provision of those services as needed.

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 the Associate Program Manager.

The Adult Program handles a variety of forms of relief from deportation and bond hearings, provides pro se assistance as needed, and represents 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.

Supervisory Leadership Responsibilities:

• Supervise the legal and administrative staff as assigned. This includes overseeing and being responsible for the quality of services provided —including pro se and representation services—, 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 training 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 complying and good standing with all relevant bodies and agencies.

Casework:

• On a limited basis, provide direct representation or pro se assistance to detained individuals in Florence and Eloy and to some released clients. Direct representation will include second chairing supervised attorneys in a wide variety of deportation defense cases.
• 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 for those interactions, as needed.
• Ensure all staff comply with the 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, Associate Program Manager, and Advocacy program about possible advocacy initiatives and legal training for the community.
• Support Florence Project 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 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 for 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, 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.
• 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 El