Migrant Unit Staff Attorney

Job Description

Job DescriptionDescription:

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 farm workers 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.

The purpose of this position is to provide services to migrant farm workers and their families thought the State of Florida, concentrating primarily on legal issues involving employment, housing, public benefit, and civil rights. Duties include, but are not limited to:

Essential Functions

• Providing comprehensive legal services to farmworker clients with employment law related matters, including unemployment, wage theft, discrimination, housing, labor-based U-visas, and labor trafficking.
• Co-counseling cases across Florida and other States.
• Leading community outreach throughout Florida and other States.
• Training staff on identifying the legal needs of farmworker clients.
• Making appropriate referrals to outside agencies.
• Attending trainings and maintaining up-to-date knowledge of current legal issues surrounding farmworker law.
• Assisting with grant reporting requirements.
• Supervising law student externs.
• Interviews, certifies eligibility and identifies the legal problems of FRLS clients within a specific area of law and provide clients with appropriate legal assistance in the form of advice, referrals, or actual representation.
• Participates in outreach.
• 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.
• Provides documentation, statistical information and other records as required by the Managing Attorney, Deputy Director or Executive Director.
• Participates in case acceptance meetings.
• Participates in training to keep up CLE’s as may be provided by the program.
• 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.
• 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.
• Promotes accessibility of the local office(s) to clients, including rural clients, non-English speaking clients and client with disabilities.
• Promotes good relations with the public, including client groups, service providers, press, and private bar, attending/speaking at local meetings as appropriate and approved by the Local Office Managing Attorney, Deputy Director and/or Executive Director.
• Familiar with FRLS policies, as well as requirements of LSC and other funders, and adheres to those policies and requirements; and,
• Other duties as determined by the Migrant Unit Managing Attorney and Advocacy Director.

Requirements:

1. Barred in Florida required.
2. Juris Doctorate from an ABA accredited law school.
3. Five (5) years of experience representing Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers.
4. Appreciation of the importance of the legal system, commitment to the mission of FRLS and compassion for the clients.
5. Ability to forge positive relationships with prospects and colleagues.
6. Good organizational, interpersonal and communication skills.
7. Ability to work collaboratively, yet independently.
8. Creativity and ability to maximize the use of existing resources.
9. Working knowledge of Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel and PowerPoint and Legal Service software).
10. Skilled in using social media.
11. Must be able effectively communicate with peers, supervisors, clients and the public.
12. Must be able to effectively work in high pressure situations which involve deadlines
13. Must be able to work weekends and travel when needed.
14. Is familiar with FRLS policies, as well as requirements of LSC and other funders, and adheres to those policies and requirements.
15. Knowledgeable of State and Federal court procedures required.

Desirable Qualifications:

Applicants must be committed to a career in public interest legal services, especially in issues affecting migrant and seasonal farmworkers; have strong oral and writing skills; be highly organized; fluent in Spanish and/or Haitian Creole preferred; have a driver’s license and good driving record; be willing to travel up to 25% of the time; and able to work as part of a team.

Working conditions

This position operates in a professional office environment.

Physical requirements

1. This is a largely sedentary role; however, some lifting of office supplies up to 10 pounds may be required.
2. Must be able to travel, 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.