STAFF ATTORNEY

Bright, committed attorney is needed to work primarily with FIAC’s Detention Project. He or she would share responsibilities for providing regular Know Your Rights presentations about the immigration court process and immigration law to immigration detainees at various facilities in South Florida.

The staff attorney will provide representation and other legal assistance to detained immigrants, including bond hearings, release requests, asylum cases, cases involving domestic violence or sexual abuse, criminal waivers, and appeals.

The staff attorney will also be involved in the Project’s policy advocacy work. Potential policy advocacy projects may include: advocating for the release of or better treatment for mentally ill immigrant detainees, advocating for the release of immigrant victims of domestic violence while their immigration case is pending, creating a system to prevent the de facto loss of parental rights caused by deporting immigrant parents with minor children, and litigation or appeals of cases that may also impact others.

Qualifications
Experience working with victims of domestic and sexual violence preferred.
Experience in or knowledge of immigration law preferred.
The ideal candidate will be energetic, friendly and conscientious.
Must have passed a state bar examination.
Proficient in Spanish or Haitian Creole.
Excellent written and oral communication skills required.

Salary & Benefits
Salary depends on experience according to FIAC scale. FIAC offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, life, disability and professional liability insurances. A pre-tax retirement plan is available through payroll deduction if the employee chooses to participate. Family coverage for health and dental insurance is also available if the employee elects to pay for that additional insurance. FIAC offers a Section 125/Cafeteria plan and a Flexible Spending Plan under which such deductions may be made on a pre-tax basis, since FIAC is a not-for-profit organization.

Vacation & Holidays
FIAC provides 12 ½ paid holidays, 10 sick days and 15 vacation days.

To Apply
Submit a cover letter and resume to -
e-mail: info@fiacfla.org
mail:    Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center, 3000 Biscayne Blvd., Suite 400, Miami, FL 33137
fax:      305-576-6273

Interviews
Top candidates will be invited to interview, submit a writing sample and references.

FIAC is an EOE/AA employer and encourages women and minorities to apply.

Position Posted: May 6, 2009

CLINICAL PROGRAM

FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF LAW

The Clinical Program of the College of Law at Florida International University in Miami, Florida is accepting applications for a Visiting Professor/Supervising Attorney to teach a law school clinic that primarily represents unaccompanied immigrant children in Florida state court dependency proceedings. This is a one-year contract, foundation-funded position and is available starting August 1, 2009 contingent on sufficient renewal funding being received prior to that date. The position is currently funded by a grant from The Children’s Trust.

The Clinical Program is a partner of the Immigrant Children’s Legal And Service Partnership, a consortium of providers of legal services, mental health counseling and youth development activities for unaccompanied minors held in Miami immigration detention facilities, as well as undocumented youth living in the community, who have been abused, abandoned, and neglected by their families. The Visiting Professor/Supervising Attorney will work closely with staff of Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center, the lead partner in the Partnership.

The law clinic will represent unaccompanied immigrant children in dependency court proceedings in Florida dependency court, as well as in a limited number of companion proceedings before relevant immigration agencies. The Visiting Professor/Supervising Attorney position requires teaching eight (8) law students during weekly seminars and supervision sessions. The position may also require that the Visiting Professor/Supervising Attorney carry his or her own caseload in order to ensure that the legal needs of the Partnership’s clients are met. In addition, the position also includes reporting responsibilities to the Partnership and/or its funders as well as attending Partnership meetings.

All applicants must be members of the Florida bar. Preference will be given to applicants who are fluent in Spanish. All applicants should have a strong academic record and excellent writing and oral communication skills. Preference will be given to applicants who have some teaching background and/or a strong public interest service background. Salary range is $50,000 - $65,000, DOE, plus benefits.    

Please send a letter of interest, resume and writing sample to Zoraya Ledesma, Administrative Assistant, Clinical Program, FIU College of Law, 11200 SW 8th Street, RDB 1010, Miami, FL 33199. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their applications by April 17, 2009 but we will continue to receive applications until position is filled.