Supervising Attorney, Agricultural Worker and Immigrant Rights Practice Group

Advocates for Basic Legal Equality (ABLE) is a nonprofit law firm established over 50 years ago to ensure that the most vulnerable people in our communities have the same access to justice as people and companies that can afford to retain an attorney. ABLE and its partner law firm, Legal Aid of Western Ohio (LAWO), are the only law firms available for comprehensive legal representation in non-criminal matters for more than 425,000 people living, working, and raising their families in poverty in Northwest and West Central Ohio. ABLE advocates for and with financially disadvantaged individuals and communities to effectuate just and equitable policy changes that address the structural causes of poverty and to protect their right to fairness and justice in the legal system.

Job Summary:
Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. (ABLE) seeks a passionate and creative Supervising Attorney to lead its Agricultural Worker Project within the Agricultural Worker and Immigrant Rights (AIR) Practice Group. This leadership role involves supervising legal staff, managing a caseload, and advancing community lawyering strategies to support low-income immigrants and agricultural workers across Ohio. ABLE is the primary legal services provider for agricultural workers in the state, conducting outreach to over 4,000 workers annually and providing high-quality legal representation in immigration, employment, civil rights, H-2A, and Agricultural Worker Protection Act matters. The team also litigates individual and systemic cases in federal and state courts and advocates for local, state, and federal policy reform. The Supervising Attorney will help drive ABLE’s mission to keep families together, empower vulnerable communities, and build a more just and inclusive society.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES (other duties as assigned):
• Supervise a team of attorneys, paralegals, and the outreach coordinator in delivering high-quality legal services and outreach to agricultural workers in employment, civil rights, and immigration matters. This includes overseeing the annual outreach plan, supporting legal outreach through occasional travel to rural farmworker camps, and maintaining a manageable caseload while serving as lead counsel or co-counseling with less experienced attorneys.
• Provide day-to-day administrative and programmatic oversight of the Agricultural Worker and Immigrant Rights (AIR) work in the Toledo office, including office operations, grant and contract implementation, compliance, and reporting.
• Assist the Managing Attorney in training, mentoring, and supporting staff attorneys throughout the practice group, helping to ensure high-quality legal services and the professional development of team members.
• Lead and support the design and execution of the annual outreach plan for agricultural workers, maintaining relationships with community partners and engaging directly with client groups through a community lawyering approach.
• Advance racial equity and systemic change in immigrants’ rights through a combination of community outreach, impact litigation, policy advocacy, and individual representation. Promote a diverse and inclusive office culture that supports equity in all areas of work.
• Participate in the firm’s leadership by contributing to organizational decision-making, identifying and addressing structural and cultural issues, and supporting initiatives that enhance the effectiveness and impact of the program.

SCOPE & IMPACT:
The Supervising Attorney will help the leadership of the program identify and address organizational issues, promote a diverse and inclusive culture, and ensure effective advocacy that advances ABLE's mission.
The successful candidate must have the following skills and experience:
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
• Licensed attorney admitted to the Ohio Bar or eligible for admission by motion or passage of the next bar examination.
• Minimum of five (5) years of legal experience.
• Litigation and employment law or immigration legal experience required.
• Ability to communicate fluently in Spanish is preferred but not required.
• Demonstrated leadership, supervisory, and administrative abilities.
• Strong legal skills, written and oral communication abilities, and computer proficiency.

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:
• Knowledge of agricultural workers’ legal rights.
• Experience working with interpreters and in diverse, inclusive environments.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Direct supervision of attorneys and/or paralegals

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:
• Work is performed in a normal office environment
• Must hold a valid driver's license and be insurable.

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND WORK LOCATION:
ABLE is committed to providing an equitable work environment, including a commitment to pay equity. The annual salary range for this position is $81,000.00 to $108,202.00 depending on experience. ABLE offers comprehensive fringe benefits, including health insurance, annual leave, sick leave, supplemental language compensation, loan repayment assistance for attorneys through the Ohio Access to Justice Foundation and paid parental leave. This position can be based out of Toledo or Dayton, with hybrid work possible.

OTHER DUTIES: Please note this job posting is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the incumbent for this job. ABLE can revise or eliminate the requirements and responsibilities of this position at any time to reflect its needs and objectives. ABLE will notify affected employees of any changes and the effective date of such changes.

TO APPLY: Please visit https://www.ablelaw.org/careers-with-able to submit your application. The position will remain open until it is filled.

ABLE is an Equal Opportunity Employer and places a high value on diversity in our workplace, including diversity in race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, and physical ability. We strive to create an environment welcoming to all individuals and we encourage applications from individuals traditionally underrepresented in the legal profession. Applicants requiring accommodation for the interview/application process should contact the recruitment coordinator at [email protected].