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 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.

The Childrens 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 Childrens Program Manager, Legal Director, Deputy Director and Executive Director. This position reports to the Childrens Program Manager.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Supervisory Leadership Responsibilities

• Supervise the teams Staff Attorneys, Senior Attorneys, and Managing 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 in updating the Program Manager on supervision and oversight.
• This position may require supervision in both Phoenix and Tucson, and will be expected to travel when necessary.
  
• Provide direct representation to clients with the opportunity to hand-select a case load with a focus on cases posing challenging issues or appeals of particular importance. Direct representation may also include second chairing supervised attorneys in a wide variety of deportation defense cases. The Managing Attorneys case load may range depending on workflow.
• Oversee case review meetings with legal staff and interns, hire new staff, coordinate orientation for new hires, and plan trainings for legal staff.
• Participate 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.

• 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.
• Attract, 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.
• 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 the Childrens 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 FIRRPs legal practice is in compliance and good standing with all relevant bodies and agencies.

• Support Florence Project outreach and development activities as needed.

Casework:

• Provide direct representation to unaccompanied minors including challenging casework, appeals, mental health casework, and second chairing cases with new attorneys.

• 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. Establish and implement policies and procedures.
• Ensure all staff complies with required ethical standards, preserve client confidentiality, and avoid conflicts of interest.
• As needed, provide Know Your Rights presentations, intakes, and follow up support to unaccompanied minors.

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 EOIR, ICE officials, and/or CCA officials to discuss ongoing issues.
• Communicate with the Managing Attorney 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 needed.

Minimum Requirements:

• JD. and admission to any state bar required.
  
• 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

• 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 Projects mission.
• Must be comfortable working with people with criminal convictions.
• 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.
  
• Travel is required for this position.

• Must have a valid drivers license and reliable transportation.
• Proven computer skills. Advanced understanding of basic office applications.

Preferred Requirements:

• Extensive knowledge of deportation defense, special immigrant juvenile status, and asylum strongly preferred.
• Fluency or advanced proficiency in Spanish is preferred.
• Arizona Bar Licensure preferred.

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

• Require the 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.
• Require to travel regularly between offices, and secondary work locations.
• Require frequent time in childrens shelter detention facilities and immigration courts located in Tucson and Phoenix.
• The Florence Project has three offices: Florence, Tucson, and Phoenix. This position is based in Phoenix and may require travel to alternate office locations.

• Effective September 1, 2021, FIRRP has implemented a mandatory COVID-19vaccinepolicy. 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[email protected].

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,qualificationsand requirements of the position, but does not necessarily include all the job functions of the position.