SUPERVISOR: Director of Litigation and Advocacy

JOB SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Director of Litigation & Advocacy, the Staff Attorney provides legal services to agricultural workers throughout the State of New Jersey, primarily focusing on the nine (9) county program area of South Jersey Legal Services, Inc.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide advice and extended 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 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 H-2A Temporary Foreign Worker Program; immigration issues related to agricultural workers; wage claim and employment issues; and assisting agricultural workers who are victims of illegal labor trafficking.
• 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 evenings 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.
• Work with the Director of Litigation & Advocacy and/or the Executive Director or her/his designee in planning, developing and litigating significant impact cases;
• Participate in staff and case acceptance meetings;
• Develop new ideas and methods to provide service to clients;
• Work effectively and positively with other members of the team and community groups;
• Assist in supervising paralegals, clerical workers and students;
• Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Admission to the Bar of New Jersey preferred but not required. Must be a member of the Bar in any state and/or be eligible and willing to take the next available NJ 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) preferred;
• Ability to relate positively to low-income clients and groups with demonstrated interest in poverty law issues and/or public interest service;
• Demonstrated commitment of engaging with the agricultural worker population and advocating agricultural worker issues preferred.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

Qualified applicants with an interest in this position should send resume, writing sample and cover letter expressing interest in this position to: Brittani Morris, PHR, SHRM-CP, Director of Human Resources, South Jersey Legal Services, Inc. 745 Market St. 2nd Floor, Camden, NJ 08102 or via email at BMorris@lsnj.org.
EEO/AA Employer.