Consumer Staff Attorney - Community Legal Services

Be a part of an organization making a difference in the Central Florida community. As an Orlando Business Journal’s 2021 Best Places to Work Honoree and Orlando Sentinel’s 2022 Best Workplaces Honoree, Community Legal Services (CLS) is a full service civil legal aid law firm that promotes equal access to justice, specifically for the most vulnerable individuals in our society.

CLS offers:

• 15 paid holidays and 24 days of paid time off
• Excellent physical/mental health, vision, and benefits (With 95% of benefits paid for by company)
• 100% Coverage with Dental Benefits, Life Insurance, Long/Short Term Disability
• 100% 403B match
• CLS pays Bar Dues and CLE Credits
• Student loan reimbursement for Attorneys
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Ability to apply for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Fantastic work-life balance
• Various opportunities for upward mobility into leadership/more advanced roles
• Pet Insurance
• Wellness Committee dedicated to employee morale, with events such as company wide retreats, activities, and challenges!

CLS is currently searching for a service-minded, mission driven individual to fill the following position:

Consumer Staff Attorney

OVERVIEW

Reports to Director of Public Interest & Litigation, Senior Manager/ Manager or designee.  Provides comprehensive legal services to eligible clients in civil and other cases in accordance with the program’ mission and principles of advocacy, other program guidelines, the ABA Standards for Providers of Civil Legal Services and the Florida Rules of Professional Conduct.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Determine client eligibility for legal services in accordance with program policies and procedures.
2. Provide legal services to eligible clients and client groups including identification of legal problems, investigation, advice, negotiation, representation before courts, administrative and legislative/quasi-legislative bodies, and preparation of necessary documentation.
3. Frequently attend hearings, trials, mediations, and other court proceedings on behalf of eligible clients.
4. Identify legal needs of the low-income community and develops legal educational programs to address those needs.
5. Supervise paralegals, legal assistants, and other subordinates in all aspects of their work.
6. Develop and maintain excellent working relationships with bar associations (including regularly attending bar meetings), bar leaders, legislators and other political officials and other community and non-profit organizations to assist in resource development.  Recruits and provides services for private attorney involvement in CLS’s pro bono programs (which includes co-counseling).
7. Expected to demonstrate the ability to perform complex litigation in a highly competent and efficient manner through use of advanced advocacy skills, as shown by having significant responsibility in a broad range of work, including federal court cases, appellate level cases, and other complex civil proceedings (i.e., jury trials, litigation involving impact or novel issues, novel forums, multi-day or complex multi-party trials, relief by extraordinary write, etc.).
8. Performs advanced legal research including use of computer-based database, e.g., Lexis, Westlaw, Legal Server.
9. After two years of legal practice is expected to participate in impact advocacy.
10. Participate in outreach events and provide community education. 
11. Perform other duties as assigned.
12. May perform duties of higher or lower classified positions, as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS

1.  Commitment        

1. Demonstrating commitment to promoting the mission, vision, and values of CLS.
2. Unwavering dedication to high-quality legal programs, fiscal strength, and organizational integrity.

2.  Background and Experience

1. Must be a member in good standing of The Florida Bar. 
2. Must have a demonstrable commitment to understanding and addressing issues of low-income constituents.
3. Must maintain professional and legal knowledge through reading and continuing education.
4. Must be bondable. Must be able to attend meetings and/or other functions at various locations throughout service area. 
5. Must be computer literate using Microsoft Office Suite.
6. Valid Florida automobile license, use of own auto, and proof of insurance necessary.
7. Must be able to travel to the offices within 12 county service area and sometimes outside of service area.

3.  Physical Requirements

1. Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
2. Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at times. 

GENERAL STATEMENT

CLS is an Equal Opportunity Employer: We value a diverse workforce and the promotion of inclusive culture at all levels.

CLS does not discriminate against any employee or qualified applicant for employment from all qualified individuals on the basis of age, race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, marital or familial status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, sex, disability, socio-economic position, religion, political belief, protected genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable Federal or State law.

The statements contained in this job description reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility. It should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods or otherwise to balance the workload.