Law Graduate

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 Law Graduate will work with the Adult Program to provide pro se assistance and/or direct representation to individuals in ICE custody in Florence and Eloy, Arizona, including cases where individuals have been found incompetent.

The position involves substantial work on individual intakes, group and individual court counseling and prep sessions, and other direct services to immigrants facing removal proceedings. Under the supervision of a licensed attorney, the Law Graduate will represent clients in bond and merits proceedings before the Immigration Court (EOIR), as needed, as well as appeals before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). The Law Graduate may also work on related matters before the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and support litigation before the United States District Courts or United States Courts of Appeals as needed. The Law Graduate will provide “Know Your Rights” presentations and pro se workshops, as needed, and will refer cases to the Florence Project pro bono, social services, and advocacy teams. The Law Graduate will also have the opportunity to participate in outreach activities and collaborative projects with other Florence Project teams and partner organizations.

Law Graduates at the Florence Project are generally assigned to one program at a time (here, the Adult Program) as a matter of organizational structure. However, legal needs and services provided by the Florence Project can and often do evolve over time. This position will support the immediate need for legal case work, appeals, and advocacy in the Adult Legal Program. However, depending on the evolving legal needs and priorities of the organization, Law Graduate positions may be assigned legal case work or other legal support needs performed by other programs, including the Children’s Cambria Bold Program or Advocacy Team, and or assigned to other departments/programs as needed.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Casework

- Conduct intake interviews and provide group “Know Your Rights” presentations to unrepresented individuals at the detention centers in Eloy and Florence, AZ, as needed.

- Educate participants on how to represent themselves and prepare pro se materials as needed.

- Conduct formal intakes.

- Under supervision of a licensed attorney, provide follow-up pro se assistance as needed, including but not limited to:

Conduct legal research to determine eligibility.

- Write pro se motions and briefs on legal issues before the immigration court and Board of Immigration Appeals, and/or USCIS.

- Review court files.

- Organize supporting evidence.

- Review relief applications and prepare clients for court when necessary.

- Under the supervision of a licensed attorney, provide direct legal representation to individuals in removal proceedings, including those found incompetent. Under supervision, provide representation before the Immigration Court, the Board of Immigration Appeals, and USCIS as needed.

- Handle most forms of relief, including cancellation of removal for LPRs and non LPRs, asylum/withholding/CAT cases, adjustment of status for refugees and other non-citizens, citizenship, T and U visas, and VAWA claims.

- Refer cases to other teams according to the established procedures.

- Refer cases to social services for support and follow up work.

- Professional Development/Training - Attend mandatory training and other CLEs and training ad hoc.

- Remain current in immigration law, and on implications of criminal and civil law.

- Comply with the required ethical standards, preserve client confidentiality, and avoid conflict of interest.

- Maintain complete and accurate case notes and client records.

- Prepare timely statistical reports.

- Conduct case audits for presentation and review as required.

- Provide direct representation under supervision, when appropriate, and provides competent and quality services.

- Update case entries as necessary and flag individuals that could be survivors of torture or have a mental disability for tracking.

- Provide “Know Your Rights” information and accurately provide individual orientation to pro se Prepare case strategy consistent with immigration law and procedure. Work to implement an agreed-upon strategy.

Administrative Duties:

- Follow cybersecurity rules and other compliance requirements.

- Attend and actively participate in FIRRP meetings including staff meetings and joint case review meetings as scheduled.

- Track hours, data, and mileage for reimbursement as appropriate.

- Maintain case notes, data, and time keeping in a timely manner and keep electronic and physical files organized.

Outreach & Advocacy

- Attend occasional meetings with stakeholders including EOIR, ICE officials, and/or CCA officials to discuss ongoing issues.

- When requested, speak on behalf of FIRRP in various settings including media, panels, conferences, conference calls, visiting students, visiting funders, or community groups.

- Participate in internal or external advocacy, fundraising, or outreach objectives relevant to FIRRP’s mission.

- 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), the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS), the Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE), government and social service organizations, and community organizations.

- Communicate with the Legal Director about advocacy initiatives and legal training for the community.

- Participate in developing and implementing special projects or presentations.

- This position can be assigned to a primary line of work while maintaining flexibility to be assigned to other lines of work/cases at other moments depending on program’s needs, including pro se work, direct representation work, and trafficking work. Additionally, this position may perform case work for, and provide other legal support to, Children’s Legal Program or Advocacy Team as assigned. The position involves the possibility of being transferred fully to other legal work depending on the needs and priorities of the organization.

- Perform other duties as needed.

Minimum Requirements:

- J.D. from an accredited law school.

- Have taken the bar exam or scheduled to take the bar exam on the next available date.

- 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, innovative thinker, and work in high-volume settings with limited resources.

- Accuracy and attention to detail is necessary.

- 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.

- Exhibits 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:

- Some experience with 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).

Working Conditions/Physical Demands:

- Operate in a professional office environment and requires the ability to sit for extended 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 Office of People and Culture.

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: $64,459.20 - $84,068.22 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.   This position is eligible for membership in the union Proyecto Solidaridad-FIRRP affiliated with OPEIU Local 251.