Community Legal Aid Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

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Be a part of an organization making a difference in the Central Florida community! As an Orlando Business Journal’s 2021 Best Places to Work Honoree, Orlando Sentinel’s 2022 Best Workplaces Honoree, and a SHRM Mental Health Ally, Community Legal Services (CLS) is a full service civil legal aid law firm that promotes equal access to justice, specifically for the most vulnerable individuals in our society.

CLS offers:

• 15 paid holidays and 24 days of paid time off
• 100% employer-paid health, dental, life, and disability insurance, plus vision coverage at minimal employee cost
• 100% 403B match after 1 year of employment (5%)
• CLS pays Bar Dues and CLE Credits
• Student loan reimbursement for Attorneys
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Ability to apply for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Fantastic work-life balance
• Various opportunities for upward mobility into leadership/more advanced roles
• Pet Insurance
• Wellness Committee dedicated to employee morale, with events such as company wide retreats, activities, and challenges!

CLS is currently searching for a service-minded, mission driven individual to fulfill the following position:

Medical Legal Partnerships Staff Attorney

OVERVIEW:

Community Legal Services (CLS) seeks a Staff Attorney as we expand our partnerships with community organizations located throughout our service area with a focus on Marion County, Florida. The project is aimed at addressing civil legal barriers to housing, health, and well-being of low-income individuals. Reporting to the (Senior) Managing Attorney, Medical-Legal Partnership or designee, this position provides comprehensive legal services to eligible clients in civil and other cases in accordance with the program’ mission and principles of advocacy, other program guidelines, the ABA Standards for Providers of Civil Legal Services and the Florida Rules of Professional Conduct.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Determining client eligibility for legal services in accordance with program policies and procedures.
2. Representing low-income and/or vulnerable clients in a variety of civil law matters affecting clients’ health including public benefits, landlord/tenant disputes, disability-related issues, family law matters, debt collection, and access to appropriate educational services.
3. Providing high-quality legal services to eligible clients including identification of legal problems, investigation, advice, negotiation, representation before courts, administrative and legislative/quasi-legislative bodies, and preparation of necessary documentation.
4. Researching and interpreting laws, rulings, and regulations applicable to cases assigned, as well as, preparing and reviewing legal writings such as pleadings, orders, discovery, and other documents for courts or government agencies.
5. Identifying the legal needs of the low-income clients of our community partner and developing legal educational programs to address those needs.
6. Cultivating and coordinating effective relationships with health care professionals and community-based organizations to assure CLS’ positive impact on individuals served. 
7. Actively engaging community partner in the integration of legal services by training partner staff and volunteers; serving as an active member of the care team; and working with students including those in law, medicine, social work, and public health.
8. Assisting with the reporting requirements for grants under the Medical Legal Partnership. This includes matters such as running reports in the case management system, reviewing for compliance, meeting grant deliverables, and drafting reporting responses.
9. Developing and maintaining excellent working relationships with bar associations (including regularly attending bar meetings), bar leaders, legislators and other political officials and other community and non-profit organizations to assist in resource development. 
10. Recruiting and providing services for private attorney involvement in CLS’s pro bono programs (which includes co-counseling).
11. Assisting at the CLS Helpline answering calls from potential clients, completing intakes, assisting with online intakes, and providing advice/brief services to eligible clients for civil legal issues.
12. Other duties as assigned.
    

REQUIREMENTS:

1.  Commitment          

1. Demonstrating commitment to promoting the mission, vision, and values of CLS.
2. Unwavering dedication to high-quality legal programs, fiscal strength, and organizational integrity.

2.  Background and Experience:

• Must be a member in good standing of The Florida Bar.
• Must be bondable.
• Bilingual: English-Spanish preferred.
• Minimum 2-4 years of experience in civil litigation or working with low-income and/or vulnerable clients and communities on civil legal matters.
• Experience working or volunteering in public benefits, social security, health or human services setting, or in community/grant-funded programs preferred.
• Ability to advocate consistently and zealously for clients in the regions we serve while managing a full caseload.
• Excellent legal writing, advocacy, organizational, and communication skills.
• Capacity to effectively and consistently engage and collaborate with a diverse constituency of community stakeholders and organizations.
• Flexibility and enthusiasm about outreach and the challenges in building a new program.
• Must be computer literate using Microsoft Office Suite.
• Valid Florida automobile license, use of own auto, and proof of insurance necessary.
• Must be able to work both scheduled and flexible work hours, including some evenings/weekends, based on business needs to perform duties, to attend meetings and/or other functions at various locations throughout service area the CLS 12 county service area.

3.  Physical Requirements

1. Prolonged periods siting at a desk and working on a computer.
2. Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at times. 

STARTING SALARY: $75,000, plus 10% SIGN ON BONUS OF OFFERED SALARY

GENERAL STATEMENT

CLS is an Equal Opportunity Employer: We value a diverse workforce and the promotion of inclusive culture at all levels.

CLS does not discriminate against any employee or qualified applicant for employment from all qualified individuals based on age, race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, marital or familial status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, sex, disability, socio-economic position, religion, political belief, protected genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable Federal or State law.

The statements contained in this job description reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility. It should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods or otherwise to balance the workload.