Staff Attorney- Low- Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC)

Job Description

Job Description

Description :

Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc. (FRLS) is a non-profit law firm that provides free civil legal aid to eligible individuals, families, and vulnerable communities across 13 Florida counties, as well as to farmworkers statewide. Since 1966, FRLS has been dedicated to justice, offering legal services in housing law, family law, consumer protection, public benefits, elder law, disaster relief, education law, tax advocacy, and more—at no cost to our clients. FRLS partners with community organizations and pro bono attorneys to provide quality advocacy, outreach, and education aimed at protecting the rights of those in need. For over 50 years, FRLS has been a steadfast advocate for justice. Learn more at www.FRLS.org.

The purpose of this position is to support the Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) engaged in by Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc. (FRLS). The LITC represents low-income taxpayers in disputes with the IRS regarding federal income tax liability. The Clinic consists of a Director, Qualified Tax Expert, and 2 paralegals.

Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc., (FRLS) is hiring a qualified individual from for the Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC). LITC provides free assistance to eligible low-income taxpayers with a range of IRS tax controversy matters. The position is in FRLS’s Fort Myers LITC office. The position is open immediately. The LITC is supported by a grant from the Internal Revenue Service and can serve persons throughout Florida. The individual will work closely with the Clinic Director and volunteer LITC staff to provide pro bono services to eligible taxpayers.

Essential Functions

1. Clinic Supervision : Help coordinate all aspects and day-to-day operations of LITC, maintain open communication with the Clinic Director of the LITC office and work closely with LITC staff.

2. Intake : Screen potential clients for eligibility for the LITC program, establish a process for promptly assigning cases LITC staff, and assist with intake duties when necessary.

3. Caseload : Maintain and manage the clinic caseload.

5. Case Supervision : Stay abreast of all aspects of individual case management and significant case developments, assist Clinic Director with tax controversy representation as far as settlement negotiations with the IRS and before the US Tax Court, be a resource for LITC staff, maintain orderly client files, support volunteer attorney and client needs, maintain the process for obtaining account transcripts and other information from the IRS, and be responsible for resolving client complaints or grievances.

6. Coordination of services : develop and coordinate relationships with other LITC programs in FL and engage with other LITC clinics around the country.

7. Community relations : Support taxpayer education including offering presentations and workshops for English as a Second Language (ESL) taxpayers, establish an outreach plan to ensure that the services of LITC are effectively publicized to low income, underserved, and ESL taxpayers.

8. Administrative : Assure compliance with grant requirements and participate in the administration of grants including reporting and preparation of applications for future grants.

9. Relationships : Maintain a productive and collegial working relationship the IRS, LITC’s national office, the United States Tax Court, other organizations in the community, and attend required conferences.

10. Other duties as assigned

Requirements :

• Juris Doctorate from an ABA accredited law school.
• Barred in any US State.
• Knowledge of IRS administrative and Federal court procedures preferred.
• Some knowledge of the legal system, commitment to the mission of FRLS and compassion for the clients.
• 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.
• Applicants must be proficient in the use of software, especially email, word processing and spreadsheets.
• Must be able to effectively work in high-pressure situations which involve deadlines.
• Bilingual English and Spanish or Haitian Creole preferred but not required.

Preferred but not required :

1. Prior work within civil legal services, federal tax controversy, with volunteers, producing training events, admission to any State Bar, admission to the US Tax Court, authorization to practice before the IRS, or other relevant experience is helpful.

Working conditions

This position operates in a professional office environment.

Physical Requirements

1. Must be able to travel throughout FRLS’s service areas.

2. Must be able to take clear written notes and type (for data entry purposes).

3. Must be able to lift boxes, equipment, and other items on occasion.

Direct Reports

None

Salary and Benefits :

The starting salary for this position is $68,000, which is based on a union scale and adjusted upward depending on experience. FRLS offers a very generous benefits package that includes 403(b) with employer-paid contribution; health insurance (medical, dental, and vision) for employees and their dependents; malpractice insurance; paid leave (up to 5 weeks of PTO, 2 personal days, and 13 holidays); law school loan repayment assistance. FRLS Attorneys operate in a hybrid work environment, requiring advocates to work in their assigned office at least three days per week.

Salary : $68,000