Request for Proposal (RFP) for Immigration Attorney Recruitment Services for the UFW Foundation, a 501(c)(3) Organization

RFP Issued By: UFW Foundation
Date Issued: Thursday, 4/30/2026
Proposal Due Date: Preferably by 5:00 PM on Friday, 5/8/2026; however, we will accept proposals submitted after this date.

1. Introduction & Background

The UFW Foundation, a non-profit organization (501(c)(3)), advocates for farm workers, immigrants, Latino communities, and historically marginalized communities across the U.S. We provide educational outreach and critical services such as immigration legal services to rural communities. Our California offices are in Bakersfield, Fresno, Oxnard, and Salinas. We’re looking for an experienced, independent recruitment consultant/contractor who specializes in identifying, screening, and hiring highly qualified immigration attorney candidates who want to work for a non-profit organization (501(c)(3)). We are looking to fill three supervising attorney and two staff attorney positions. Our immigration attorneys provide reliable expertise to farm workers and immigrants in various languages, including English, Spanish, Mandarin, and Mixteco. The UFW Foundation provides free or low-cost immigration legal services to rural communities across California. The work environment is flexible: (1) in-person in one of our four California offices, (2) hybrid – designated in-person and remote days in one of our four California offices, or (3) remote work within the state of California. 

2. Objectives

The primary objective is to engage a specialized, independent recruiter to:

  • Identify high-quality candidates who meet specific technical and cultural requirements.
  • Reduce the time-to-hire for legal roles.
  • Provide a diverse, qualified candidate pool. 

3. Scope of Work (Services Required)

The independent contractor will be responsible for the following tasks:

  • Needs Assessment: Meet with key stakeholders to define role requirements, experience, and compensation structures.
  • Sourcing Strategy: Develop and execute a targeted search strategy (direct sourcing, networking) to identify passive and active candidates.
  • Screening: Review resumes and conduct initial screenings (telephone or video) to assess qualifications, interest, and salary expectations.
  • Interview Management: Coordinate interviews between candidates and the Hiring Manager/Committee.
  • Background/Reference Checks: Conduct thorough background checks and professional reference checks.
  • Placement & Negotiation: Assist with offer negotiations and facilitate the onboarding process.
  • Reporting: Provide weekly or bi-weekly status updates on candidate pipelines. 

4. Requirements & Qualifications

Proposers should demonstrate the following:

  • Minimum five (5) years of experience in legal recruiting, specifically in immigration law with nonprofit organizations.
  • Proven track record of placing newly barred attorneys at entry-level positions, as well as attorneys with three (3) to 5 years of experience.
  • Existing network of legal professionals in California, preferably in Bakersfield and Fresno, California, or within Kern or Fresno counties. However, the organization is open to considering individuals based in Oxnard or Salinas, California (or in Ventura and Monterey counties), who are willing to travel to our Bakersfield and Fresno offices.
  • Ability to act independently, adhering to, but not limited by, conventional staffing agency constraints.
  • Strict commitment to confidentiality and ethical guidelines. 

5. Proposal Content and Organization

To be considered, please submit a proposal containing:

  • Executive Summary: A brief overview of your recruiting philosophy and understanding of our needs.
  • Company/Individual Profile: A brief description of your experience, history, and specialization in legal recruitment.
  • Key Personnel: Resumes or biographies of the individuals who will be directly performing the search.
  • Approach & Methodology: A description of how you will source candidates, your screening process, and your timeline for delivering a slate of candidates.
  • References: At least 3 client references for whom you have conducted attorney searches in the last 3 years.
  • Fee Structure: A proposal on fees. Examples include a flat retainer fee, an hourly rate for consulting, or a percentage of the first-year salary for placements. 
  • Conflict of Interest & Ethics:
    • Conflict Disclosure: Provide an affirmative statement regarding any potential conflicts of interest with current clients.
    • Confidentiality: Assurance that all company and candidate information will be handled with strict privilege protection. 

6. Submission Guidelines

  • Deadline: Proposals should be received by 5:00 PM on Friday, May 8, 2026; however, we will accept proposals after this date, if necessary. 
  • Submission Method: Please submit via email to [email protected] in PDF format.
  • Questions: Questions regarding this RFP should be directed to María E. Osorio, J.D., M.P.A., Chief of Staff at [email protected]. 

7. Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria: 

  1. Experience & Qualifications: Legal recruiting expertise (40%)
  2. Proposed Strategy: Quality of search approach (30%)
  3. Cost/Fee Structure: (20%)
  4. References: (10%) 

8. Contract Terms

The selected contractor will be required to sign an independent contractor agreement. The contract will include provisions regarding confidentiality, data privacy, and intellectual property.