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Jacksonville Area Legal Aid (JALA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing legal assistance and advocacy for low-income individuals and families. We work to ensure access to justice and fair treatment in the areas of housing, consumer rights, family law, and other essential legal services.  

JALA’s Pro Bono Unit continues to be a critical resource dedicated to closing the justice gap and ensuring that legal representation is available to all, regardless of ability to pay. The unit provides attorneys with a platform to perform pro bono work, which offers area attorneys opportunities for professional development and personal reward.

JALA seeks a dedicated, licensed Florida attorney for its Pro Bono Deputy Director role. This is a full-time position working in JALA’s downtown Jacksonville office. Business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

What you get when you come to JALA

JALA is the premier litigation legal aid firm in the Southeastern United States. We are mission-driven, and our team makes a difference in our community. As a JALA employee, you can expect immediate hands-on experience interviewing and counseling clients as well as litigating cases in Federal and State courts. Staff are expected to take on challenging cases for our at-risk clients while being mentored and supported in taking on such cases. 

While there is a premium placed on initiative and self-motivation, you can expect to be supervised by lawyers who are recognized as subject matter experts in their field (JALA is the only law firm in Florida with two Florida Bar Consumer Protection Lawyers of the Year on staff, for example). Our lawyers and paralegals regularly serve on local and statewide committees, and our lawyers have gone on to become hearing officers, magistrates, judges, and administrative law judges. 

In addition to the opportunity to litigate early, our lawyers and staff are trusted as professionals - we have adopted a hybrid work environment (although not all positions can work remotely) Regardless of what others may prefer, we embrace diversity and inclusion as a way to ensure we are the most prepared to offer the best and highest level of representation for clients, as this is what they deserve from us.

Salary/Benefits

Salary commensurate with experience. Sign-on bonus. Benefits package include, but are not limited to, hybrid work model, medical, dental, vision, long-term disability insurance, group life insurance, 401(k) (match 100% of deferrals up to 6% of compensation), generous leave policy (13 paid holidays plus 22 personal leave days in first year, one-month sabbatical every four years), and membership in Access Perks, a private discount network.

To apply, submit a resume, a minimum of two professional references, and salary requirements.

All employees must clear Florida’s Level II background screening. Information on the background screening process can be found on https://info.flclearinghouse.com/.

Jacksonville Area Legal Aid is an Equal Opportunity Employer

$70,000 yearly minimum DOE

• Reports to the Director of Pro Bono and serves as an extension of the director in the 4th Circuit, 7th, and 8th Circuits, specifically Nassau, Baker, Union, Bradford, and Putnam counties.
• Sub-management of Pro Bono support staff, including Pro Bono Case Placement Manager and Pro Bono Case Administration Coordinator.
• Recruitment of pro bono attorneys, non-attorney volunteers, and students.
• Tracks pro bono attorney, non-attorney, and student hours for case and non-case-related activities.
• Development of funding sources of income to continue and further the purpose of pro bono assistance and initiatives.
• Development of new pro bono programs and expansion of existing pro bono programs.
• Maintain contacts with Clerks of supported counties, providing monthly flyers and event updates.
• Additional oversight of the case referral and placement process.
• Additional oversight of the case and outreach administration.
• Assists with facilitating placement of pro bono cases.
• Assists with overseeing cases before and after referral to pro bono attorneys.
• Represent JALA at community events, area committees, and local voluntary bar associations.
• Markets pro bono programs throughout the community.
• Additional on-site supervision at clinics and outreach events.
• Draft letters and communications to clients and volunteers.
• Manages internship requests, placement, and management of hours.
• Manages volunteer requests, placement, and management of hours.
• Makes recommendations regarding case assessments and the feasibility of pro bono placement.
• Attends legal trainings and reviews materials to remain current on relevant areas of law and best practices.
• Prepare and assist in preparing Daily Record pro bono articles.
• Assist in attorney recruitment by engaging in job fairs and outreach activities, including relationships with Equal Justice Works, Skadden Fellowship programs, and similar pipelines.
• Meet with community partners, serve on various community boards.
• Assist with FLARE: billing, recruitment, and client management.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned by the Director of Pro Bono.

• Attorney in good standing and licensed to practice law in the State of Florida.
• Effective oral and written communication skills and comfort with public speaking and developing rapport with new people.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, Adobe, and similar office programs.
• Access to reliable transportation and willingness to travel; insured and licensed to drive.

The mission of Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Inc. is to provide high-quality legal assistance to low-income and special needs groups, to empower them to accomplish energetic and affirmative advocacy, all to alleviate the circumstances, incidents, and causes of poverty and discrimination.

Developed during the Great Depression and subsequent recession of 1937, the organization that has become Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Inc. JALA was born when a group of Jacksonville Bar attorneys banded together to provide legal services to those in need.

Called different names over the years, including Duval County Legal Aid Association, it was officially named Jacksonville Area Legal Aid in 1973. The organization achieved 501(c)3 status in 1976. JALA now serves 17 counties of North Florida, including Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Nassau, St. Johns, Suwannee, Taylor, and Union.