Advocacy Attorney (Phoenix & Tucson)

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 Advocacy Attorney, in concert with the Advocacy Team Managing Attorney and other team members, will engage in representation of clients before the Federal District Court of Arizona in Federal Tort Claim Act, Freedom of Information Act, Mandamus, Habeas, and other district court cases. The Advocacy Attorney may also assist pro se habeas litigants in federal custody in Arizona. The Advocacy Attorney may represent clients before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals as necessary. Additionally, the Advocacy Attorney will engage in national advocacy efforts, including plaintiff identification in coordination with other legal advocacy groups, strategic appeals and amici, comments to proposed rules, national legal advocacy initiatives with partner organizations, and media outreach. The position will mentor Florence Project staff as well as pro bono attorneys on federal court matters and offer training to both staff and the community on various legal issues.

 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

 

Casework and mentoring:

• Maintain an active caseload of challenging cases before the federal courts (District Court and the Ninth Circuit), as well as filing administrative complaints where a prerequisite to litigation. Assist pro se litigants appearing before federal court, as necessary.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to staff and pro bono attorneys assisting individuals with district court cases or other challenging cases related to FIRRP district court litigation efforts. Guidance and mentorship include reviewing drafts and providing substantive feedback or consulting about the case via email or in meetings to discuss legal strategy.
• Attend team meetings, trainings, and is well versed on legal developments in FIRRP cases and in the national landscape.
• Remain current on civil and immigration law, and on implications of criminal and civil law.
• Complying with required ethical standards, preserves client confidentiality, and avoids conflict of interest.
• Maintain complete and accurate case notes and client records. Appropriately track case time and other data relevant to FIRRP’s advocacy work.
• Prepare timely statistical reports.
• Conduct quarterly case audits for presentation and review.
• Participate in training on immigration procedures and may conduct training sessions as assigned.

Advocacy:

• Regularly communicate with staff regarding emerging trends and issues related to District Court Representation and other Advocacy Team initiatives.
• Communicate with national organizations about advocacy initiatives, including amicus briefs, federal court litigation, international human rights advocacy, and relevant legislation.
• Collaborate with partner organizations and Florence Project staff about important trends impacting people in ICE and ORR custody, and other vulnerable immigrant populations.
• Gather relevant data, stories, and information about emerging trends for advocacy efforts.
• Keep up to date on changes and pending changes in law and develop a thorough and compelling response to proposed changes, which may include developing talking points and meetings with congressional staffers or media or drafting more formal written statements on key issues/changes.
• Collaborate with pro bono and national partners in key district court and appellate litigation.
• Work in concert with advocacy team members on broader advocacy projects including comment campaigns, international complaints, sign on letters, stakeholder meetings, media campaigns, documentation of detention center conditions and public facing reports, etc.
• Work with FIRRP staff to timely identify and uplift important changes or trends.
• Speak with print, radio, and film media about our legal work and advocacy, as needed and collaborate with Florence Project Development, Communications and policy staff regarding messaging and media outreach.
• Participate in outreach and fundraising activities, as necessary.
• Develop and maintain cooperative relationships with local and national community partners, including but not limited to other district court practitioners, public officials, law enforcement officials, and other nonprofits that provide services to the immigrant population.
• Develop and maintain professional relationships with opposing counsel, government and social service organizations, and community organizations.
• Communicate with the Managing Attorney and Legal Director about possible advocacy initiatives and legal training for the community.
• Support Florence Project outreach and development activities as needed.
• Perform other administrative duties as needed.

Other duties:

• Participate in weekly office meetings and meetings for all staff, as necessary.
• As needed, help to develop and maintain effective mechanisms for tracking data regarding new trends in litigation, conditions, and immigration enforcement.
• Participate in organizational fundraising and outreach efforts as requested.
• Participate in developing and implementing special projects or presentations.
• Other duties as assigned.

 

Minimum Requirements:

• At least three years of experience practicing law before the immigration or federal courts.
• D. and admission, or eligible for admission, to the Arizona State Bar.
• Admission, or eligible for admission, to practice before the Federal Court for the District of Arizona.
• Admission, or eligible for admission, to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
• Willing to travel regularly to detention centers and work with detained clients in Arizona.
• Demonstrate commitment to advocating for indigent immigrant clients in a respectful and empowering way.
• Demonstrate zealous support for the Florence Project’s mission.
• Must be passionate about due process and representing people who have had contact with the criminal justice system.
• 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 able to 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 driver’s license and reliable transportation.
• Proven computer skills. Advanced understanding of basic office applications.

 

Preferred Requirements: 

• Fluency or professional proficiency in Spanish.
• 5+ years of prior experience practicing law is preferred, including representation before federal courts, district courts, and courts of appeal.
• 2+ years of minimum experience providing direct representation to immigrants in removal proceedings, and extensive knowledge of immigration law, specifically deportation defense, asylum, and criminal-immigration law issues is strongly 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.
• 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, and secondary work locations.
• Frequent time in detention facilities 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 Human Resources Department at humanresources@firrp.org.

 

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: $77,875.20 - $104,001.07 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 Thirteen (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.

Salary

• $77,875.20 - $104,001.07