What are the responsibilities and job description for the Staff Attorney / Pro Bono Coordinator position at Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc.?
Job Type
Full-time
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.
Job Summary :
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 15thJudicial 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.
Legal Advocacy
- 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.
- Provide direct representation to clients as a staff attorney
- Act as "Attorney of the Day" as a staff attorney
- Co-counsel cases as appropriate with pro bono attorney
- Participates in outreach.
- Represents clients in court and before administrative agencies as deemed appropriate.
- Provides documentation, statistical information and other records as required by the Managing Attorney, Deputy Director or Executive Director.
- Participates in case acceptance, meetings, applicable work job meetings, pro bono agency meetings and agency program meetings
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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, Deputy Director, and / or Executive Director.
- Develops and maintains familiarity with FRLS policies, as well as requirements of LSC, CSC and other funders, and adheres to those policies and requirements.
- Maintains accurate follow-up system to review cases when needed.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Pro Bono Management
Requirements
Working Conditions :
Position operates in a professional office environment.
Physical Requirements :
1. Must be willing to travel. Must be able to work in a professional office environment 5 days per week.
2. Must be able to lift 20 lbs.
Qualifications :
Demonstrated commitment to advocacy on behalf of people in poverty. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
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
