Staff Attorney

Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project

. Provide legal representation in Children’s Program cases before the Immigration Court, Board of Immigration Appeals, Arizona Juvenile Courts, USCIS, and other relevant bodies .

Posted 10/14/2026full-timePhoenix • Arizona • United StatesLead💰 $70,907 - $93,108 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in immigration law and procedures, providing legal representation and advocacy for unaccompanied immigrant children. Strong ability to conduct legal research, manage casework, and collaborate with social service partners while maintaining high ethical standards and client confidentiality.

Highest-signal resume keywords

J.D. DegreeAdmission To State BarImmigration Law ExpertiseFluency In SpanishLegal Research Skills

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Legal RepresentationCase Strategy DevelopmentDrafting Legal PapersConducting Intake InterviewsData ReportingCase AuditsClient AdvocacyKnowledge Of Deportation DefenseKnowledge Of Asylum LawKnowledge Of Criminal-Immigration Law

Soft Skills

Interpersonal SkillsProblem-Solving SkillsOrganizational SkillsCommunication SkillsTeam Collaboration

Tools & Technologies

Legal ServerBasic Office Applications

Certifications & Qualifications

Admission To Arizona State Bar (Preferred)ABA-Accredited Law School Graduation

Industry Keywords

Children's ProgramImmigration CourtBoard Of Immigration AppealsUSCISArizona Juvenile CourtsIndigent Immigrant ClientsTrauma SurvivorsHuman Rights AdvocacyLGBTQ Rights AdvocacyCriminal Justice Advocacy

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Provide legal representation in Children’s Program cases before the Immigration Court, Board of Immigration Appeals, Arizona Juvenile Courts, USCIS, and other relevant bodies
Oversee case assignments and casework and support the legal assistant workflow
Conduct intake interviews and provide Know Your Rights information to detained and non-detained unaccompanied immigrant children
Develop and recommend case strategies consistent with immigration law and procedure
Prepare cases, draft legal papers, present evidence, and engage in negotiations
Assess clients’ social, economic, and psychological functioning
Collaborate with Children’s Program social workers, identify client needs, and make referrals
Determine appropriate services, interventions, and referrals
Attend team meetings and training
Remain current on immigration law and policy and the impact of criminal and civil law on immigration cases
Maintain ethical standards, client confidentiality, and conflict-of-interest safeguards
Maintain complete and accurate case notes and client records
Prepare timely and accurate data reports
Conduct periodic case audits
Participate in and conduct training sessions on immigration procedures
Provide Know Your Rights presentations and follow-up support
Appear as Friend of the Court before Immigration Court (EOIR)
Liaise with children’s detention shelters
Develop and maintain relationships with legal, governmental, social service, and community partners
Maintain professional relationships with EOIR, Arizona Juvenile Courts, USCIS, government and social service organizations, and community organizations
Communicate with the Managing Attorney about advocacy initiatives and community legal training
Support advocacy, outreach, fundraising, development, special projects, and presentations
Perform administrative duties and other assigned duties
Perform casework and provide legal support to the Adult Legal Program or Advocacy Team as assigned
Potentially transfer fully to other legal work based on organizational needs and priorities

Requirements

What you’ll need

J.D. and admission to any state bar
Alternatively, law school graduates who have taken the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) and achieved a score of 260-269 may apply, with commitment to pursue admission to the Arizona State Bar through the Arizona Lawyer Apprentice Program (ALAP)
Graduated from an ABA-accredited law school for ALAP eligibility
Meet all other requirements for admission to practice law in Arizona, including a thorough background check
Secure qualifying employment and commit to practice under the supervision of a qualified Arizona attorney in rural Arizona or in a public law practice for a minimum of two years
If not licensed in Arizona, commitment to waive into practice in Arizona after two years of bar licensure in any jurisdiction under Arizona Rule 38(f), or apply through ALAP
Commitment to advocating for indigent immigrant clients in a respectful and empowering way
Comfortable working with people with criminal convictions or mental health issues
Commitment to the Florence Project’s mission
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
Strong legal research skills
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse populations
Highly organized, innovative thinker, and able to work in high-volume settings with limited resources
Excellent problem-solving, research, and analytical skills
Ability to effectively manage multiple projects and meet deadlines
Ability to work as a hardworking, flexible, respectful team player in a collaborative, innovative, and client-centered environment
Ability to work independently and remain adaptable and reliable under conflict, pressure, crisis, or changing priorities
High ethical standards and ability to maintain confidentiality
Must pass federal and state background checks
Travel is required
Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation
Proven computer skills and advanced understanding of basic office applications
Fluency or advanced proficiency in Spanish is required
License to practice in Arizona preferred
Experience practicing before Arizona Juvenile Courts, Immigration Courts, or USCIS strongly preferred
Prior experience working with children/teenagers and trauma survivors or individuals with mental health issues is a plus
Experience providing direct representation to immigrants in removal proceedings and extensive knowledge of immigration law, including deportation defense, asylum, and criminal-immigration law issues, strongly preferred
Prior advocacy work in immigrant rights, human rights, LGBTQ rights, or criminal justice, or experience working with trauma survivors, is a plus
Experience with databases and data tracking, such as Legal Server, is a plus
Ability to sit for long periods with intermittent walking, standing, bending, squatting, pulling, and pushing
Ability to use standard office equipment and lift up to ten pounds; accommodations may be available

Benefits

Comp & perks

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
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 Twelve (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
Supportive and inclusive work environment
Eligibility for membership in the union Proyecto Solidaridad-FIRRP affiliated with OPEIU Local 251