Senior Attorney (Agricultural Workers Right Project)

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Handle intake interviews;
• Provide advice and direct representation to eligible agricultural worker clients in a variety of simple and complex matters, including but not limited to the following: Violations of the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker’s Protection Act; violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act; health and safety violations in the fields or in labor housing; pesticide use in the fields; sanitation issues in the fields; enforcing the rights of agricultural guest workers under H2A Temporary Foreign Worker Program violations; immigration issues related to agricultural workers; wage claim and employment issues; and assisting agricultural workers who are victims of illegal labor trafficking;
• Provide direct representation to clients in a variety of other legal matters as needed by the Neighborhood Office, including but not limited to family, landlord/tenant, housing, consumer, public benefits, healthcare, employment and senior issues;
• Conduct intake interviews, factual investigation and legal research of claims of agricultural worker clients. In cases having merit, drafting and filing affirmative lawsuits on behalf of agricultural worker clients and provide direct legal representation to such clients in federal and state courts and administrative agencies;
• Conduct extensive outreach to and community legal education activities for agricultural workers—which may include evening  and weekends — at labor
• camps, farms, packing plants and other works sites;
• Engage in extensive networking and coordination with local community groups and with state and federal government agencies advocating and protecting the rights of agricultural workers;
• Participate in group representation, where appropriate;
• Participate in staff and case acceptance meetings and program wide working groups;
• Work with the Managing Attorney, Director of Litigation and/or the Executive Director in planning, developing and litigating significant impact cases;
• Participate in community outreach and community legal education, clinics and seminars;
• Assisting in preparing grant reports;
• Develop new ideas and methods to provide service to clients;
• Work with other staff as an effective member of the team;
• Assist in supervising paralegals, clerical workers and students;
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS & EDUCATION:

• A minimum of 5-years’ legal experience, preferably working with agricultural workers and/or labor law matters.
• Admission to the Bar of New Jersey preferred but not required. Must be a member of the Bar in any State or be eligible and willing to take the next available New Jersey Bar Exam;
• Must be able to work flexible hours that will include evenings and some weekends, especially during the harvesting/work season;
• Must have a valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle as there will be extensive travel required. (Mileage reimbursement is available).
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) required;
• Ability to relate to low income clients and groups with demonstrated interest in poverty law issues and/or public interest service.