Staff Attorney/Pro Bono

Description:Staff Attorney/Pro Bono

Lakeland, FL

Description

The Staff Attorney / Pro Bono Coordinator is a full-time position reporting to the Managing Attorney. The Staff Attorney / Pro Bono Coordinator is responsible for implementing the strategic vision and day-to-day management of FRLS’ pro bono program throughout the 20th Judicial Circuit. This includes fostering positive relationships with the private bar, law firms, law schools, bar associations, state-wide access to justice commissions, community partners, and national organizations. The Staff Attorney / Pro Bono Coordinator will maintain a caseload approved by program priorities in areas such as housing, family law matters, public benefits, consumer law, elder law, education, immigration, civil rights, and other areas as appropriate. This position will work on Legal Services Corporation (LSC) funded cases and Pro Bono management.

Essential Functions

Legal Advocacy

1. 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.

2. Provide direct representation to clients as a staff attorney and Act as “Attorney of the Day” as a staff attorney.

3. Co-counsel cases as appropriate with pro bono attorneys.

4. Participates in outreach.

5. Represents clients in court and before administrative agencies as deemed appropriate.

6. Provides documentation, statistical information and other records as required by the Managing Attorney, Advocacy Director or Executive Director.

7. Participates in case acceptance, meetings, applicable work job meetings, pro bono agency meetings and agency program meetings.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. Attempts to ensure accessibility of the local office(s) when necessary, by serving clients, including rural clients, non-English speaking clients and clients with disabilities.

12. Promotes good relations with the public, including client groups, service providers, press, and the private bar, attending/speaking at local meetings as appropriate and approved by the Managing Attorney, Advocacy Director, and/or Executive Director.

13. Develops and maintains familiarity with FRLS policies, as well as requirements of LSC, and other funders, and adheres to those policies and requirements.

14. Maintains accurate follow-up system to review cases when needed.

15. Performs other duties as assigned.

Pro Bono Management

1. Manage the Pro Bono Program in the local office service area.

2. Recruit attorney volunteers, law students, paralegals, and other professionals to accept pro bono cases and assist at pro se and legal advice clinics.

3. Conduct on-site intake as needed at outreach events.

4. Manage the flow of cases from intake to placement (case matching) with volunteer.

5. Act as attorney mentor to pro bono attorneys.

6. Manage and close Pro Bono case files through adherence to strict guidelines.

7. Develop and implement various pro bono projects, advice clinics, and outreach events for the benefit of attorneys and clients.

8. Develop and implement CLE trainings for pro bono volunteers and FRLS’ Staff

9. Develop and implement volunteer recognition programs

10. Work with various committees, bar associations, community partners, and the public to promote FRLS Pro Bono Program.

11. Collaborate to establish and implement creative pro bono opportunities for attorneys in the service area.

12. Submit articles for local newsletters, produce recognition ads, press releases, and other advertising pamphlets and brochures to increase participation in outreach events by attorneys and clients.

13. Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities Minimum Qualifications:

1. Juris Doctorate from an ABA accredited law school.

2. Barred in Florida.

3. Knowledge of State and Federal court procedures preferred.

4. Some knowledge of the legal system, commitment to the mission of FRLS and compassion for the clients.

5. Ability to forge positive relationships with prospects and colleagues.

6. Good organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.

7. Ability to work collaboratively, yet independently.

8. Must be able to effectively and efficiently maximize existing resources.

9. Working knowledge of Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint). Knowledge of CMS a plus.

10. Must be able to effectively work in high-pressure situations involving deadlines.

11. Bilingual English and Spanish or Haitian Creole preferred, but not required.

Desirable Qualifications:

1. Demonstrated commitment to advocacy on behalf of people in poverty.

2. Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Working conditions:

This position operates in a professional office environment.

Physical requirements:

This is a largely sedentary role; however, some lifting of office supplies up to 20 pounds may be required.

Reports:

Monthly reports to Managing Attorney

EEOC Statement: Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc., does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other characteristic protected by federal, state of local law.

Requirements: