Law Graduate - Phoenix, United States - Florence Project

Florence Project

Verified Company

Phoenix, United States

2 weeks ago

Posted by:

Mark Lane

beBee recruiter

Description

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 Staff Attorney will work with the Children's team and assist with pre-court counseling sessions and preparation for direct representation, including challenging casework, and appeals, for unaccompanied children 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 and immigration court.

The position also provides "Know Your Rights" presentations and the opportunity to participate in outreach activities and collaborative projects within a national network of legal service providers for unaccompanied immigrant children.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Casework:

Provide legal representation in cases accepted through the Children's Program. Legal representation includes direct representation in front of the immigration court, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and the Board of Immigration Appeals, including challenging casework, and appeals, and preparing cases for juvenile court representation in partnership with an Arizona licensed FIRRP attorney.
Assist with preparation of case strategy, consistent with immigration law and procedure to Managing Attorney. Help implement an agreedupon strategy.
Prepare cases, draft legal papers, help formulate required evidence, and assist with negotiations in accordance with the Code of Professional Responsibility for the legal profession.
Collaborate with Children's Program social workers by identifying needs of the client and making appropriate referrals
Provide direct representation under supervision, when appropriate, and provide competent and quality services.
Supervise legal assistants assigned to each case.
Prepare case strategy consistent with immigration law and procedure. Work to implement an agreedupon strategy.
Attend team meetings and trainings.
Wellversed and remain current in immigration law and on implications of criminal and civil law as it applies to the representation of unaccompanied immigrant children.
Comply with required ethical standards, preserve client confidentiality, and avoid conflict of interest.
Maintain complete and accurate case notes and client records.
Prepare timely statistical reports as assigned.
Responsible for preparation of regular case audits for presentation and review of the Managing Attorney, as assigned.
Participate in training on immigration procedures and may conduct training sessions as assigned.

Advocacy:

Conduct intake interviews and provide "Know Your Rights" information to detained and nondetained unaccompanied immigrant children, as needed.
Appear as Friend of the Court before Immigration Court (EOIR).
Liaise with children's detention shelters as part of a team with legal assistants
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), Juvenile Court, U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS), the Board of Immigration Appeals, government and social service organizations, and community organizations.
Communicate with the Managing Attorney 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 duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements:

Juris Doctor from an accredited law school.
Have taken the bar exam or scheduled to take the bar exam on the next available date.
Demonstrate 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