Supervising Attorney (The Farmworker Rights Division)

The Farmworker Rights Division of Georgia Legal Services Program (FRD-GLSP) is hiring a full-time Supervising Attorney to help lead our work on behalf of seasonal and migrant farmworkers in Georgia.

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. See Operation Blooming Onion. The operation, which was referred to by the U.S. Attorney’s Office as the biggest sting operation of labor trafficking in U.S. history, exposed to the public what our office already knew: the exploitation and abuse of guest farmworkers in Georgia is widespread. Since Operation Blooming Onion, our work has received favorable attention from media, policy makers, and the general public. However, our work in this area precedes the recent hype and we have actively litigated these cases for years. Our office is growing. Join us in this important and exciting work!

About the Farmworker Rights Division

The FRD provides free legal representation to eligible farmworkers with employment-related matters in Georgia. Typical cases involve employers failing to pay workers’ wages; discrimination based on sex, citizenship or national origin; subjecting workers to human trafficking conditions; and breaking recruitment promises. Clients include guest workers from Latin America, in addition to local and migrant U.S. farmworkers.

About the Supervising Attorney Position

You will help lead the employment-law advocacy portion of our farmworker rights practice. With the dramatic increase in labor trafficking cases, we have more opportunities to work on interesting and impactful federal litigation and administrative advocacy in Georgia. You will be lead counsel in federal litigation, representing individuals and groups of workers in claims against their employers and traffickers. You will also oversee projects geared towards improving the working and living conditions of farmworkers in Georgia.

This position is based in our Atlanta Office. This position will be eligible to request up to two days of telework per week after successfully completing the probationary period according to GLSP policy.

Come join our team in the bustling and diverse City of Atlanta, the home of Civil Rights history. We have something for everybody: music, arts, culture. Internationally recognized universities. A growing film industry. Winning sports teams: World Series 2021 Winning Braves, MLS Cup 2018 Winning Atlanta United, and 2021 NBA Eastern Conference Finalists Hawks (the latter two playing just blocks from our office!).

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

· Provide direct legal services to farmworker clients, in matters related to their employment in Georgia, including administrative advocacy, federal litigation, and defending our clients’ rights as creditors in bankruptcy.

· Supervise and mentor assigned staff that may include staff attorneys, paralegals, interns/externs, and/or volunteers.

· Actively participate in the Farmworker Rights Task Force and develop working relationships with the various partner organizations/agencies.

· Collaborate in the development of and revisions to the FRD’s annual Outreach Plan, based on trends and issues observed on the field and FRD’s priorities.

Requirements

· Juris Doctorate Degree and licensed to practice law in Georgia, or willing and able to become licensed in Georgia within one year of hire.

· Over 3 years of experience representing farmworkers or immigrant workers in employment matters. Supervisory experience preferred.

· Demonstrated commitment to social, economic, and racial justice, especially in the areas of worker and/or immigrant rights.

· Strong language skills (oral and written) in Spanish, including good oral presentation skills. Candidates selected for an interview should expect a portion of the interview to be conducted in Spanish.

· This position requires meeting and interviewing clients outside of normal business hours and will require some travel to rural Georgia.

· Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license during employment.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The starting salary is $50,750, depending upon experience and qualifications. In addition, GLSP offers excellent fringe benefits including health insurance, retirement benefits, an employer-financed partial student loan repayment program, annual salary increases, a language bonus, generous paid leave benefits, etc. GLSP requires that all employees comply with our COVID – 19 Vaccine Policy.

HOW TO APPLY

Please send a statement of interest, resume, and a writing sample to:  Join Our Team - Georgia Legal Services Program (glsp.org)  This position will be open until filled, with an anticipated start date ASAP. Interviews will be conducted virtually.

GLSP is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of Georgia Legal Services Program not to discriminate against any applicant for employment because of race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy, medical condition, national origin, disability, marital or other protected status. GLSP values a diverse work environment and strongly encourages women, people of color, people who identify as LGBTQ, people with disabilities, and people who have experienced poverty or homelessness to apply. GLSP invites all applicants to include in their cover letter a statement about how your unique background and/or experiences might contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and legal services practice.