Staff Attorney

Description:

Position Overview:
The purpose of this position is to provide civil legal assistance to eligible low income and elderly persons approved by program policies and priorities in areas such as housing; domestic violence related family and other family law matters, public benefits, consumer law, elder law, education, immigration, and civil rights.
Essential Functions:

• Interviews, certifies eligibility and identifies the legal problems of FRLS clients within a specific area of law and provides clients with appropriate legal assistance in the form of advice, referrals, or actual representation.
• Participates in outreach.
• Represents clients in court and before administrative agencies as accepted.
• Provides documentation, statistical information and other records as required by the Managing Attorney, Deputy Director or Executive Director.
• Participates in case acceptance meetings.
• Participates in training to keep up CLE's and required and legally relevant training as may be provided by the program and as mandated by Florida Bar rules.
• Adheres to office hours, exhibits a strong work ethic and excellent time management skills, communicates and treats clients and staff with courtesy and respect, provides constructive feedback to other advocates (including paralegals) on cases discussed.
• Serves as a role model to support staff by promoting the values of hard work, high quality advocacy and treating others with courtesy and respect.
• Attempts to insure accessibility of the local office(s) when necessary by serving clients, including rural clients, non-English speaking clients and client with disabilities.
• Promotes good relations with public, including client groups, service providers, press, and private bar, attending/speaking at local meetings as appropriate and approved by the Managing Attorney, Deputy Director and/or Executive Director.
• Develops and maintains familiarity with FRLS policies, as well as requirements of LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION, CSC and other funders, and adheres to those policies and requirements.
• Maintains accurate follow-up system to review cases when needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements:
Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Juris Doctorate from an ABA accredited law school.
• Barred in Florida.
• Knowledge of State and Federal court procedures preferred.
• Some knowledge of the legal system, commitment to the mission of FRLS and compassion for the clients.
• Ability to forge positive relationships with prospects and colleagues.
• Good organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively, yet independently.
• Must be able to effectively and efficiently maximize existing resources.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint). Knowledge of CMS a plus.
• Must be able to effectively work in high-pressure situations which involve deadlines.
• Bilingual English and Spanish or Haitian Creole preferred, but not required.

Working Conditions:
Position operates in a professional office environment.
Physical Requirements:
Must be willing to travel.

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