Bay Area Legal Services - Plant City, FL
posted 1 day ago
About the position
Bay Area Legal Services (BALS) is seeking to hire an attorney for a full-time position in the Plant City office within the Sixth Circuit. This is a hybrid position and is funded under the VOCA grant, from the Attorney General's Office to represent and assist survivors of domestic, sexual, and dating violence and human trafficking. The attorney primarily advocates for victims of crime under a VOCA grant in the areas of family law and injunctions for protection against domestic violence, however, practice may also include additional substantive areas of law if the client meets criteria for being a victim of crime under grant criteria. On occasion, clients who are not crime victims are represented as well. The attorney filling this position will be responsible for all phases of case management and extended representation including client intake, completion of necessary documents required by Bay Area and various funding sources, ongoing client communication, mediation and Court hearings. The Bay Area Legal Services Plant City office is the location of this position. This attorney will be one of two attorneys currently working under the VOCA grant in Plant City, which is part of an eleven member team consisting of seven attorneys and four support staff. Services to be provided will vary between advice or brief services to advocacy and representation in trial.
Responsibilities
- Representation in court including emergency advocacy.
- Advice and assistance in connection with crime victim compensation.
- Interview applicants and determine if eligibility requirements for established legal services are satisfied.
- Document all client case information and related time spent in case management system accurately and timely.
- Ensure compliance with Legal Services Corporation (LSC) or other grantor requirements.
- Communicate with clients to learn about their legal needs and concerns.
- Counsel, advise and refer clients to appropriate public agencies or other community resources for additional services needed.
- Explain legal options and bring possible outcomes or risks to their attention.
- Develop and implement strategies to resolve cases favorably.
- Prepare legal documents, such as briefs and pleadings, accurately and in a timely manner.
- Research relevant legal materials to aid decision-making, gather and analyze evidence, identify implications for cases from legal precedents or other legal information.
- Negotiate settlement of cases with opposing attorneys or parties.
- Prepare necessary correspondence relating to services rendered.
- Create and maintain relationships with organizations that are commonly adverse parties where possible to facilitate case resolution.
- Attend team meetings and collaborate with other attorneys on case questions.
- Develop arguments and represent clients participating in hearings before various courts and administrative bodies.
- Present and summarize cases to judges.
- Travel to client meetings or hearings as necessary.
- Supervise junior attorney, legal assistants and activities of other legal personnel (legal interns, paralegals etc.) as requested by Team Leader.
- Assist other poverty program components as needed and offer advice in public relations, participate in appropriate community activities.
- Stay informed about current legislation, especially assigned legal specialties.
- Attend Continuing Legal Education (CLE) courses and/or other trainings to maintain knowledge in areas of expertise or gain new knowledge.
- Perform other duties as designated by the Team Leader.
Requirements
- Juris Doctorate (JD), Florida Bar licensed and in good standing with the Bar.
- 3 years of experience as an attorney.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently, organize and review work of others.
- Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
- Excellent prioritization skills and ability to meet deadlines.
- Sympathetic and compassionate understanding of the social, economic, and legal issues faced by low-income individuals with limited access to such services.
- Ability to relate well and effectively with diverse groups and individuals.
Nice-to-haves
- Previous experience in a non-profit legal services firm
- Family Law Trial or Civil Litigation Experience.
- Experience with Family Law and/or Domestic Violence cases.
- Experience with legal database systems to document case assignments.
- Bilingual Spanish/English
Benefits
- Starting Salary $69,400.00 (increases based on relevant experience)
- Reimbursement for travel expenses (mileage etc.)
- Comprehensive benefit package including a 4% match for the 403b retirement plan with immediate vesting
- Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability coverage and more
- Generous time off and work life balance with 13 paid holidays and three (3) weeks' vacation for the 1st year of employment
- 37.5 hour work week
- Eligibility for some loan forgiveness programs through the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) and the Florida Bar Foundation (FBF)
