Immigration Staff Attorney

Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc. (FRLS) is a non-profit law firm that provides free civil legal aid to eligible individuals, families, and vulnerable communities across 13 Florida counties, as well as to farmworkers statewide. Since 1966, FRLS has been dedicated to justice, offering legal services in housing law, family law, consumer protection, public benefits, elder law, disaster relief, education law, tax advocacy, and more—at no cost to our clients. FRLS partners with community organizations and pro bono attorneys to provide quality advocacy, outreach, and education aimed at protecting the rights of those in need. For over 50 years, FRLS has been a steadfast advocate for justice. Learn more at www.FRLS.org.

Florida Rural Legal Services Inc is seeking an experienced, immigration attorney to join our team devoted to representing victims of domestic violence, human trafficking, and other crimes in Florida. The individual would represent clients through our established partnerships, provide direct representation to victims who have experienced victimization. Some family law/domestic relations cases may also be included for some clients.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1.  Provide legal representation to individuals on immigration matters, including representation before government agencies, such as: U.S. immigration courts, U.S. Citizenship, and Immigration Services.
2.  Provide legal representation to FRLS clients before U.S. state courts, when necessary.
3.  Conduct thorough consultations with clients in all FRLS offices and make appropriate referrals to outside agencies.
4.  Conduct preparation sessions with clients for interviews before USCIS, U.S. immigration courts, and U.S. state courts.
5.  Analyze the probable outcomes of cases, using knowledge of legal precedents, and interpret laws, rulings, agency guidance and regulations to determine appropriate legal strategy for advisability of proceeding with a case.
6.  Docket all case deadlines, when necessary.
7.  Manage large caseloads, independently manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment, review, draft, and monitor petitions.
8.  Oversee timely preparation of cases assigned and keep track of all deadlines under attorney’s supervision.
9.  Supervise paralegals on assigned cases, including monitoring case progress, monitoring emails to clients, setting case strategies. Supervise the work of paralegals in recordkeeping and document preparation.
10.  Prepare legal cover letters, memorandums, briefs and opinions.
11.  Prepare and file appeals before administrative and federal courts.
12.  Keep clients informed of case progress through telephonic, electronic and written communication.
13.  preparing appeals, motions, and petitions before the federal district courts and federal circuit courts; and representing clients before the Immigration Court, U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services, U.S. Department of State, and other agencies.
14.  Develop and litigate cases, including legal research and developing case strategy.
15.  Interviews, certifies eligibility and identifies the legal problems of FRLS clients within a specific area of law and provides clients with appropriate legal assistance in the form of advice, referrals, or actual representation.
16.  Participates in outreach and case acceptance meetings
17.  Represents clients in court and before administrative agencies, including investigation, witness preparation, pre and post hearing written arguments, conduct of the hearing and related activities.
18.  Provides documentation, statistical information and other records as required by the Managing Attorney, Advocacy Director, or Executive Director.
19.  Participates in training to keep up CLEs as may be provided by the program.
20.  Adheres to office hours, exhibits a strong work ethic and excellent time management skills, communicates, and treats clients and staff with courtesy and respect; provides constructive feedback to other advocates (paralegals) on cases discussed.
21.  Serves as a role model to support staff by promoting the values of hard work, high quality advocacy and treating others with courtesy and respect.
22.  Promotes accessibility of the local office(s) to clients, including rural clients, non-English speaking clients and clients with disabilities.
23.  Promotes good relations with public, including client groups, service providers, press, and private bar, attending/speaking at local meetings as appropriate and approved by the Managing Attorney, Advocacy Director and/or Executive Director.
24.  Provides timely data upon request for grant applications, fundraising, public relations and other program needs.
25.  Other Duties assigned

1.  JD degree from an accredited law school
2.  Active Florida Bar license (in a good standing)
3.  Excellent oral and written communication skills
4.  Foreign language proficiency highly preferred
5.  Able to perform manual and electronic searches using external systems
6.  Able to work well independently, as well as effectively within a team
7.  Able to handle sensitive matters and maintain confidentiality
8.  Ability to work independently, under pressure, and meet deadlines

 Immigration Responsibilities & Required 

1. Provide legal representation to individuals on immigration matters, including representation before government agencies, such as: U.S. immigration courts, U.S. Citizenship, and Immigration Services. 

2. Provide legal representation to FRLS clients before U.S. state courts, when necessary. 

3. Conduct thorough consultations with clients in all FRLS offices and make appropriate referrals to outside agencies. 

4. Conduct preparation sessions with clients for interviews before USCIS, U.S. immigration courts, and U.S. state courts. 

5. Analyze the probable outcomes of cases, using knowledge of legal precedents, and interpret laws, rulings, agency guidance and regulations to determine appropriate legal strategy for advisability of proceeding with a case. 

6. Docket all case deadlines, when necessary. 

7. Manage large caseloads, independently manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment, review, draft, and monitor petitions. 8. Oversee timely preparation of cases assigned and keep track of all deadlines under attorney’s supervision.

9. Supervise paralegals on assigned cases, including monitoring case progress, monitoring emails to clients, setting case strategies. Supervise the work of paralegals in recordkeeping and document preparation.

10. Prepare legal cover letters, memorandums, briefs, and opinions.

11. Prepare and file appeals before administrative and federal courts. 

12. Keep clients informed of case progress through telephonic, electronic, and written communication. 

13. preparing appeals, motions, and petitions before the federal district courts and federal circuit courts; and representing clients before the Immigration Court, U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services, U.S. Department of State, and other agencies. 

14. Develop and litigate cases, including legal research and developing case strategy. 

Working conditions  

This position operates in a professional work environment. 

Physical requirements 

1. This is a largely sedentary role, however, some lifting of office supplies of up to 20 pounds may be required. 

2. Must be able to travel throughout Florida, as needed. 

Salary and Benefits:

The starting salary for this position is $68,000, which is based on a union scale and adjusted upward depending on experience. FRLS offers a very generous benefits package that includes 403(b) with employer-paid contribution; health insurance (medical, dental, and vision) for employees and their dependents; malpractice insurance; paid leave (up to 5 weeks of PTO, 2 personal days, and 13 holidays); law school loan repayment assistance. FRLS Attorneys operate in a hybrid work environment, requiring advocates to work in their assigned office at least three days per week.