Interim Managing Attorney

This is an internal opening only. This is a temporary assignment projected to start 07/08/2024 and end 10/11/2024.

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.

Interim Managing Attorney:

The Interim Managing Attorney will supervise the work of Law Graduates, Staff Attorneys, Legal Assistants, and Accredited Representatives, mentor legal and administrative staff, and provide legal guidance to detained immigrants. The Interim Managing Attorney may assist with "Know Your Rights" presentations, legal screenings, and direct casework. The Interim Managing Attorney will additionally supervise training and professional growth development for the team, collaborating with other managing attorneys, the Program Manager, and the Executive Director in program development and outreach efforts. This position reports to the Adult Program Manager.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Supervisory Leadership Responsibilities

• Supervise the team's Law Graduates, Staff Attorneys, Senior Attorneys, Accredited Representatives, Legal Assistants, Senior Legal Assistants, data entry staff, and other administrative staff. This includes overseeing and supervising the services provided before the courts, conducting case reviews with supervised staff as needed, and providing training, mentorship, and support to the staff. The Managing Attorney will work closely with the Program Manager in updating PM on supervision and oversight.
• Provide pro se guidance to detained individuals and may provide direct representation. The Managing Attorney's case load may range depending on workflow.
• Lead the implementation of any changes to the scope of legal services provided or the model for delivering those services.
• Oversee case review meetings with legal staff and interns, hire new staff, coordinate orientation for new hires, and plan training 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.
• Supervise and maintain accurate and timely data and reports that reflect the work.
• Oversee collection of data by the staff for various grant funded positions, complete quarterly reporting for funders, and participate in network calls, meetings, and training.
• Attract, retain, lead, coach and develop an effective, diverse team of Law Graduates, Staff Attorneys, Senior Staff Attorneys, Accredited Representatives, Legal Assistants, Senior 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 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 Program Manager regarding hiring, orientation, employee relations, performance management, and the 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 the Program Manager and 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.
• Support Florence Project outreach and development activities as needed.

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), the Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS), government and social service organizations, and community organizations.
• Attend occasional meetings with officials as needed.
• Communicate with the Program Manager 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.
• Participate in developing and implementing special projects or presentations.
• Other administrative duties as necessary.

Minimum Requirements:

• J.D. and admission to any state bar.
• Must be licensed to practice law in any state or jurisdiction (or willing to take the Arizona bar exam), or eligible to waive into practice in Arizona (have two years of good standing in another state bar or have received a score of 273 or greater on the Universal Bar Exam).
• 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 Project's mission.
• Must be comfortable working with people with criminal convictions.
• Strong litigation experience and/or oral advocacy skills.
• Strong legal research skills.
• 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 be 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.
• Fluency or advanced proficiency in Spanish required.
• 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:

• 2+ years of minimum experience providing direct representation to immigrant removal proceedings, and extensive knowledge of immigration law, specifically deportation defense, asylum, and criminal-immigration law issues is strongly preferred.
• 2 years of prior experience practicing before the Arizona Courts, 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) 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 and immigration courts located in Florence and Eloy.

Salary & Benefits:

This is a full-time, temporary assignment. The incumbent's annual base salary will be increased by $10,000 during the period of the interim managerial role. This increase will take effect at the beginning and will cease at the end of the temporary assignment. We strive to create and uphold a positive, supportive, and inclusive work environment for all staff.

• Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and short-term disability insurance, with full premiums paid by the Florence Project, and partial health insurance premiums paid for dependents.
• Eligible employees are eligible for an employer matching retirement plan as soon as the employee contributes to their retirement plan.
• One personal day paid each month.
• Twenty-five days of vacation per year.
• Five days of sick/medical leave annually.
• Twelve weeks of paid parental leave.
• Relocation Assistance for out of state new hires
• Bereavement leave.
• All federal holidays observed.
• After three years of employment, employees are eligible for an eight-week paid sabbatical.
• Mileage reimbursement for travel between offices and places of work.

Application Process:

This is an immediate opening. 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. We also 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 the Florence Project. 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 position's job functions.