Legal Action of Wisconsin, Inc. (Legal Action) seeks a full-time staff attorney to work with its statewide Farmworker Project. Legal Action of Wisconsin (LAW) values a diverse work environment and strongly encourages people of color, people who identify as LGBTQ, people with disabilities, and women to apply. LAW 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.
Preferred home office location is Legal Action of Wisconsin’s Madison Office, 744 Williamson Street, Suite 200, Madison WI 53703. We may also consider candidates who wish to be based in any of Legal Action of Wisconsin’s other five offices –Milwaukee, Racine, Green Bay, Oshkosh or La Crosse. Telecommuting arrangements may be considered if it would increase the Farmworker Project’s capacity to serve clients located in geographically isolated areas. Applicants should specify their location preference in their cover letter.
LEGAL ACTION OF WISCONSIN, INC.
Legal Action of Wisconsin, Inc. is a law firm funded by the Legal Services Corporation, the Wisconsin Trust Account Foundation (WisTAF), and other sources to provide free civil legal aid to low-income persons in the southern 39 counties of Wisconsin. To serve its eligible client population, Legal Action maintains offices in Milwaukee, Madison, Racine, Oshkosh, Green Bay, and La Crosse. In addition, Legal Action operates a statewide Farmworker Project.
FARMWORKER PROJECT
Legal Action's Farmworker Project represents agricultural workers throughout the state of Wisconsin. Our advocacy team represents farmworkers in claims related to their farmworker status. We ensure agricultural workers receive the wages they have earned and that employer provided housing meets legal standards. We also protect the rights of farmworkers who need to access public benefits programs such as unemployment insurance, and represent survivors of workplace crimes in immigration related matters. Our farmworker advocacy team is growing and currently consists of a full-time attorney, a part time attorney, and a paralegal.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The Farmworker Attorney will have the opportunity to engage in litigation and other high-impact advocacy affecting farmworkers. Areas of focus are employment law, particularly enforcement of rights under the Fair Labor Standards Act and state and federal laws providing specific protections for migrant agricultural workers.
The Staff Attorney will also provide high quality administrative law advocacy in areas such as employment law, public benefit eligibility, worker’s compensation, and immigration law matters.
All Legal Action staff attorneys are responsible for providing quality and aggressive representation of clients in service cases and in impact work, and for performing all duties associated with such representation. Attorneys must keep up with the law as it changes and develops, particularly in their area of specialization. Attorneys are expected to share responsibility for the development and maintenance of good working relationships with community groups, as well as with state and local bar associations. Attorneys will be called upon to provide training and other assistance to members of Legal Action's Volunteer Lawyer Project. Each staff attorney is responsible for serving on at least one Firm Priority Committee.
Other duties: Other duties may be assigned from time to time as the needs of our clients vary. Staff attorneys may train and mentor non-attorney staff and volunteers. Experienced advocates may train and mentor other attorneys.
Client Population and Travel and Schedule Requirements: The position involves rural travel around the state of Wisconsin. The Staff Attorney will perform outreach, client intake and referrals, and hold client meetings at migrant camps, community centers, and other locations frequented by agricultural workers. Most of our farmworker project clients prefer to communicate in Spanish.
The Staff Attorney should expect to work evening hours one day a week to ensure communication with clients who work during the daylight hours. Occasional overnight travel and weekend work is also required.
Training: The amount and structure of the training is determined by the attorney’s experience in farmworker law. Legal Action of Wisconsin’s farmworker advocates participate in monthly video conference trainings with farmworker advocates around the country. The farmworker team also conducts regular case reviews.
Supervision: Project attorneys must meet Legal Action’s high standards of written and courtroom advocacy. Farmworker Attorneys are expected to comply with Legal Action’s existing attorney performance standards and personnel policies.
SALARY AND BENEFITS
Starting salary depends upon experience and qualifications, with a minimum starting salary of $45,727 for attorneys with 0 – 1 years of experience. Position includes a full fringe benefit package, which currently includes health, dental, life and long-term disability insurance, a retirement plan, and four weeks of vacation leave per year. The Madison Office position is represented for collective bargaining and a new employee may voluntarily join the ULW union. The position is subject to a probationary period of up to one year. As with any Legal Action position, there is no guaranteed period of employment and employment is “at will,” subject to termination at any time.
For this position, prior farmworker law, employment law, immigration law, or other civil legal aid experience is preferred –but not required.
Ability to communicate with clients in Spanish, or in another language spoken by Wisconsin farmworkers, is strongly preferred.
Admission to the Wisconsin Bar or the ability to become admitted by the Fall of 2019 is required.
Must possess a valid driver’s license and maintain it throughout employment.
We welcome applications from candidates with varied experience –from seasoned farmworker advocates to 2019 law graduates and other attorneys new to farmworker law.
Legal Action requires a commitment to legal services work and to providing quality and aggressive representation in service cases and in impact work. Attorneys must be knowledgeable in state and federal law and procedure. Attorneys must meet high standards of written and courtroom advocacy. Attorneys must be able to communicate both orally and in writing in a clear and concise manner and work harmoniously with others. Ability to handle and prioritize many pressing matters in various locations is needed.
Email applications are preferred and strongly encouraged. Use PDF for all documents.
Interested applicants should send 1/ a cover letter that indicates the name of this position, 2/ resume 3/ the names of and contact information for three references, 4/ recent writing sample(s), 5/ law school transcript to: [email protected]
If necessary, send hard copies to,
Erica Sweitzer-Beckman, Farmworker Project Attorney
Legal Action of Wisconsin
744 Williamson Street, Suite 200
Madison, WI 53703
DEADLINE
This position will be open until filled; but, we will review applicants on a rolling basis. To ensure early consideration, please submit application materials as soon as possible and no later than close of business May 3, 2019.