Managing Attorney

Job Description

Job Description:\n\nThe 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.\n \nPrimary Purpose of the Job: \nThe Managing Attorney will manage our talented team providing legal services to unaccompanied minors. Services include providing unaccompanied children “Know Your Rights” presentations at shelters, individual intakes, pre-court counseling sessions, and representation in front of the immigration court, family court, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The position includes extensive client contact with youth, including indigenous youth and youth who have suffered abuse, abandonment, neglect or other emotional and physical trauma. It requires significant time in state court and in immigration court. The position also provides the opportunity to participate in outreach activities and collaborative projects within a national network of legal service providers for unaccompanied immigrant children.\n \nThe Children’s Program handles a variety of forms of relief from deportation. The Managing Attorney will mentor and supervise legal staff and provide legal representation to detained and non-detained immigrant children. 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 Children’s Program Manager, Legal Director, Deputy Director and Executive Director. This position reports to the Children’s Program Manager.\n \nThis position will require supervision in both Phoenix and Tucson as needed and will be expected to travel when necessary.\n \nEssential Duties & Responsibilities: \n \nSupervisory Leadership Responsibilities: \n\nSupervise legal staff as assigned (e.g. Managing Attorneys, Legal Assistants). This includes overseeing and being responsible for the quality of services provided before the courts, conducting case reviews with supervised staff as needed, and providing training, mentorship, and support to the legal staff.  The Managing Attorney will work closely with the Program Manager and will provide updates on supervision and oversight.  \n\nProvide direct representation to clients with the opportunity to hand-select a caseload with a focus on cases posing challenging issues or appeals of particular importance. \n\nDirect representation may also include second chairing for supervised attorneys in a wide variety of deportation defense cases. The Managing Attorney’s case load may range depending on workflow while balancing supervision duties. \n\nOversee case review meetings with legal staff and interns, hire new staff, coordinate orientation for new hires, and plan training for legal staff. \n\nParticipate in program development with the Program Manager, Legal Director, Deputy Director, and the Executive Director, including participating in annual strategic planning retreats with Board and staff. \n\nLead the implementation of any changes to the scope of direct representation legal services provided or the model for delivering those services. \n\nSupervise and maintain accurate and timely data and reports that reflect the work. \n\nOversee collection of data by the legal staff for various grant funded positions, complete quarterly reporting for funders, and participate in network calls, meetings, and training. \n\nAttract, retain, lead, coach and develop an effective, diverse team of Staff Attorneys, Managing Legal Assistants, Legal Assistants, Interns, and special project legal fellows, and provide a collegial, calm, and collaborative work environment that is client-centered and ego free. \n\nDevelop, monitor, and evaluate staff goals, caseloads, and work plans. \n\nCoach, 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. \n\nResponsible for working in collaboration with the Children’s Program Manager regarding hiring, orientation, employee relations, performance management, and evaluation of staff. \n\nOversee 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. \n\nDevelop and implement quality assurance protocols; ensure quality of services provided to all stakeholders. \n\nWork 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. \n\nSupport Florence Project outreach and development activities as needed. \n\n \nCasework:\n\nProvide direct representation to unaccompanied minors including challenging casework, appeals, mental health casework, and second chairing cases with new attorneys. \n\nOversee attorney meetings, weekly joint case review, and intake review meetings with legal staff, and plan legal training as needed. \n\nWell-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. \n\nEnsure all staff complies with required ethical standards, preserve client confidentiality, and avoid conflicts of interest. \n\nAs needed, provide “Know Your Rights” presentations, intakes, and follow up support to unaccompanied minors. \n\n \nAdvocacy:\n\nDevelop 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. \n\nDevelop 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. \n\nAttend occasional meetings with EOIR, ICE officials, and/or CCA officials to discuss ongoing issues. \n\nCommunicate with the Managing Attorneys and Advocacy program about possible advocacy initiatives and legal training for the community. \n\nSupport Florence Project outreach and development activities as needed. \n\n \nOther Duties & Responsibilities: \n\nParticipate in organizational fundraising and outreach efforts as requested. \n\nParticipate in developing and implementing special projects or presentations. \n\nOther administrative duties as necessary. \n\n \nMinimum Requirements: \n\nJD. and admission to any state bar required. \n\n If not licensed in AZ, must commit to applying to waive into practice in Arizona under the Arizona Rule 38(f) (a provision that allows for non-Arizona-barred attorneys to practice in Arizona state courts while under the employment of an approved legal service provider such as FIRRP, no fee required \n\n2 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. \n\nExperience supervising staff or interns and demonstrated ability to inspire confidence in others and play a supportive role. \n\nBe a proactive and engaged supervisor without micromanaging and be a clear and thoughtful decision maker.   \n\nIn 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. \n\nDemonstrate commitment to advocating for indigent immigrant clients in a respectful and empowering way. \n\nDemonstrate zealous support of the Florence Project’s mission. \n\nMust be comfortable working with people with criminal convictions. \n\nStrong litigation experience and/or oral advocacy skills. \n\nDemonstrate strong legal research skills. \n\nStrong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with diverse populations. \n\nAbility to communicate effectively verbally and in writing. \n\nHighly organized, an innovative thinker, and works in high-volume settings with limited resources. \n\nExcellent problem solving, research and analytical skills. \n\nEffectively manage multiple projects and meet deadlines. \n\nDemonstrate to be a hardworking, flexible, respectful team player that can work effectively in a collaborative, innovative, and client centered work environment. \n\nAbility to work independently, be adaptable and reliable in the face of conflict, pressure, crisis or changing priorities. \n\nExhibit high ethical standards and the ability to maintain confidentiality. \n\nMust be able to pass federal and state background checks. \n\nTravel is required for this position. \n\nMust have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation. \n\nProven computer skills. Advanced understanding of basic office applications. \n\n \nPreferred Requirements: \n\nExtensive knowledge of deportation defense, special immigrant juvenile status, and asylum strongly preferred. \n\nFluency or advanced proficiency in Spanish. \n\nArizona bar licensure \n\nPrior experience working with trauma survivors or individuals with mental health issues is a plus. \n\nPrior advocacy work in immigrant rights, human rights, LGBTQ rights, criminal justice, or experience working with trauma survivors is a plus. \n\nPrior experience working in a unionized workplace is a plus. \n\n \nWorking Conditions/Physical Demands: \n\nOperate in a professional office environment requires the ability to sit for long periods of time with intermittent walking, standing, bending, squatting, pulling and pushing. \n\nAbility 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. \n\nTravel regularly between offices and secondary work locations \n\nFrequent time in children’s shelter detention facilities and immigration courts located in Tucson and Phoenix. \n\nThe Florence Project has three offices: Florence, Tucson, and Phoenix. \n\nThis position is based in Phoenix and is expected to travel to other offices for supervision as needed. \n\nEffective 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 View email address on us.fitly.work. \n\n \nSalary & Benefits:\nThis 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: $87,214.40 - $115,628.25 Annually DOE.\n \nWe strive to create and uphold a positive, supportive, and inclusive work environment for all staff. We offer excellent benefits, including:  \n \n\nMedical plans including health, dental, vision coverage, subject to plan terms\nShort Term Disability\nEligibility for group benefits such as voluntary life insurance, subject to applicable waiting periods\nRetirement plan, subject to plan terms\nPaid Time Off earned on a biweekly accrual basis- Twenty-five (25) Days of Vacation Time, annually\nFive (5) Days of Medical/Sick Time, annually\nOne (1) Day of Personal Time, monthly\nEight (8) Week Paid Sabbatical, after three years of employment\nBereavement leave.\nFifteen (15) Organization-paid holidays, all observed\nEligible for Parental Leave which includes Twelve (13) paid weeks\nMileage reimbursement for travel between offices and places of work.\nRelocation Assistance for out of state new hires available for some positions.\n\nApplication Process:\nThis 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.  \n \nAt 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. \n \nThis 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.