Staff Attorney (Temporary Role)-Disaster Relief Team - Bay Area Legal Services

Bay Area Legal Services is a nonprofit law firm serving the Tampa Bay area for over 50 years. We assist low-income residents, veterans, seniors, children, domestic violence survivors, and many more.

Our Mission: Providing the highest quality legal counsel by:

• Assisting individuals and nonprofit groups with limited access to legal services
• Resolving the legal problems of our clients
• Preserving the independence, hope, and dignity of those we serve.

Position Title: Disaster Relief Staff Attorney (Full-Time, Temporary) 

Office Location: Ruskin, FL

Position Summary: This is a full-time 9 month grant budgeted position for the Disaster Relief Team. This position will involve the delivery of targeted legal services, from brief services to extended, to families impacted by disasters in Hillsborough County, Florida. In addition to direct client legal services, this position will involve a component of community engagement through staffing outreach events and giving presentations to community audiences and partner organizations. This position will require collaboration with team members to ensure timely fulfillment of grant deliverables. Applicants should expect to travel for activities as necessary. Because disaster applicant influx may vary significantly, focus may at times shift to other job duties as the need arises.

Applicants seeking employment with us should understand and share our commitment to the BALS’ mission and vision, and be willing to abide by the five core values of Bay Area Legal Services.

Illustrative Duties

• Staffing statewide disaster relief hotline, including conducting client intake and providing appropriate legal service based on client need and eligibility.
• Interviewing applicants and determining if established legal services eligibility requirements are satisfied.
• Counseling and advising clients, referring applicants to appropriate legal aid partners or other community resources for other services needed.
• Preparing legal instruments, pleadings, trial briefs, oral arguments, and abstracts of legal research relative to the case. Conducting necessary correspondence relating to services rendered.
• Participating in hearings before various courts and administrative tribunals on behalf of clients.
• Participating in required community engagement through attending focused outreach events and delivering presentations on disaster legal services.
• Supervised by Team Leader and other senior staff but operating substantially on an independent basis.
• Coordinate with Team Leader to ensure compliance with grant requirements and deliverables.
• Performing related work and other duties as required and assigned by the Team Leader.

Minimum Requirements

• Juris Doctorate (JD), Florida Bar licensed and in good standing with the Bar, or attorney or law school graduate eligible to be licensed in FL within the next 6 months.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate, work well, and effectively contribute within a team environment.
• Ability to multi-task and adapt to new and changing environments.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, take initiative, meet deadlines, and maintain confidentiality for sensitive information.
• Detail-oriented and well-organized, with ability to establish priorities and track projects.
• Demonstrated commitment to the provision of high-quality legal services to individuals with limited access to legal services.

Desirable Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year experience as a licensed practicing attorney.
• Experience in general legal practice including serving low-income clients or as a law intern with a legal services program.
• An ability to work closely with others and a willingness to accept supervision.
• Sympathetic understanding of the social, economic, as well as legal problems of individuals with limited access to legal services.
• Knowledge of Spanish would be helpful.
• Experience with disaster-related services, including familiarity with disaster- preparedness training and disaster-focused legal assistance.

Compensation:

• Starting Salary $60,350.00 (increases based on relevant experience)
• Reimbursement for travel expenses (mileage etc.)
• Bay Area offers a comprehensive benefit package including a 4% match for the 403b retirement plan with immediate vesting as well as Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability coverage and more.
• Bay Area also offers generous time off and work life balance with 13 paid holidays and three (3) weeks’ vacation for the 1st year of employment and a 37.5 hour work week.
• Bay Area attorneys may be eligible for some loan forgiveness programs through the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) and Funding Florida Legal Aid (FFLA). 

This position requires successful completion of a level II background screening based on the required duties and responsibilities

How to Apply: 

• Send Resume and Cover Letter (including why this position is of interest to you) to recruiting@bals.org and state how you learned about the role.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.