Staff Attorney - Farmworkers

GEORGIA LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAM INC•Atlanta, GA

24d•$60,000 - $78,725•Remote

About The Position

Georgia Legal Services Program (GLSP), a statewide nonprofit law firm, seeks a Staff Attorney to work in the Farmworkers Rights Division. GLSP is a statewide, nonprofit public interest law firm in Georgia that offers free civil legal services to low-income individuals, fostering equal access to justice and opportunities out of poverty. GLSP runs 10 regional offices that serve Georgians with low incomes living outside metro Atlanta in 154 of the state’s 159 counties. GLSP employs approximately 182 full-time staff members. We provide free legal aid across a wide range of civil issues, including family law, housing, access to public benefits, eviction prevention, farmworkers' rights, and educational access. The Farmworker Rights Division provides free legal representation to Georgia's farmworkers with employment-related issues. Typical cases involve employers failing to pay workers’ wages; discriminating on the basis of sex, race, or national origin; subjecting workers to human trafficking conditions; and breaking recruitment contracts. Clients include primarily guest workers from Mexico and Central America, in addition to U.S. migrant farmworkers. In Fall 2021, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Georgia, indicted 24 defendants on federal conspiracy charges, related to the forced labor of hundreds H-2A workers in Georgia and Florida. This is a remote position within the state of Georgia.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited law school.
Current member of the Georgia Bar, or willing and able to obtain a certification of fitness to practice law and become licensed in Georgia the next time the bar exam is offered.
Demonstrated commitment to social, economic, and racial justice, especially in the areas of worker and/or immigrant rights.
Excellent communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate with different audiences through public speaking, writing, partnership development, and community education events.
Strong organizational skills and ability to perform tasks necessary to maintain a substantial active caseload of advocacy and litigation.
Ability to analyze, write, and present ideas and legal concepts clearly and concisely.
Willingness and demonstrated ability to work as part of a team professionally and collaboratively.
Excellent writing and oral advocacy skills.
Valid driver’s license and operable vehicle.
Computer literacy, including familiarity with using email, Excel, Word, SharePoint, LegalServer, and other computer programs.
Strong language skills (oral and written) in Spanish, including good oral presentation skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience serving a diverse client population and staff is desired.

Responsibilities

Representing farmworkers with employment-related issues, including wage theft, discrimination, human trafficking, and breach of recruitment contracts.
Conducting legal research, writing, and oral advocacy.
Communicating effectively with diverse audiences through public speaking, writing, partnership development, and community education events.
Managing a substantial active caseload of advocacy and litigation.
Working collaboratively as part of a team.
Using Spanish language skills in the position.

Benefits

If hired before admission to the Georgia Bar, the position will start as Legal Assistant with an annualized salary of $60,000 year.
Once admitted to the Georgia Bar, the salary scale ranges from $60,000 - $78,725 depending on experience.
Probationary period: 6 months
Medical, dental, and vision coverage
Option to enroll in a Flexible Spending Account
Employer-paid life insurance and disability plan
15 accrued vacation days, including 2 personal days. Vacation days increase to 20 days after 3 years of employment
15 accrued sick days
13 paid holidays, including your birthday holiday
3 Summer Days
Minimum 7 hours per workday/35 hours per week. All attorneys are expected to work the hours necessary to fulfill the responsibilities and requirements of their position.
403(b) retirement plan with GLSP 4% match up to $5,000
Up to 10 weeks paid parental leave
Organizational Wellness activities
Professional development opportunities
Additional supplement for employees who pass GLSP’s Spanish proficiency test and use Spanish in their GLSP position