Job Description

Bay Area Legal Services is seeking to fill a full-time Staff Attorney position for its Volunteer Lawyers Program.

This position involves the delivery of a full range of high-quality legal services through volunteers under the Volunteer Lawyers Program of Bay Area Legal Services. The Staff Attorney will be responsible for overseeing VLP clinics (including the Family Forms Clinics which operates several times a week), developing pro bono/outreach clinics, developing training materials, assisting with VLP intake, and overseeing cases placed with volunteer attorneys. The position will be supervised by the Team Leader/Pro Bono Director of the VLP.

The largest VLP clinic, the Family Law Forms Clinic, is staffed by volunteer attorneys, law students, and law graduates. During the clinic, volunteers assist pro-se litigants with filling out family law pleadings, explaining the family law forms packet instructions and answering questions regarding the forms. The Pro Bono Clinic Coordinator will be on site throughout the clinic to review the pleadings, provide back-up support, and manage the operation of the clinic. This is a unique position that helps to develop experience in project management, supervisory skills, networking, recruiting and outreach. It also provides an opportunity to provide hands on, meaningful assistance to pro se litigants. The Pro Bono Clinic Coordinator will also be responsible for developing and supervising additional clinics as community needs arise. Supervising clinics will make up 70% of the job responsibilities. The other 30% of the time will involve providing additional support to the VLP team, including participation in bi-monthly intake sessions and oversight of open cases assigned to volunteer attorneys for extended representation. Staff Attorneys will facilitate or directly provide qualified legal services to low income clients to meet their civil legal needs.

Office Location

George Edgecomb Courthouse

800 E Twiggs Street

Tampa, FL 33602

Illustrative Duties:

• Volunteer Supervision: Responsible for supervising and coordinating all aspects of the VLP clinics.
• Volunteer Recruitment: Assist in recruiting volunteer attorneys, mentors, law students, and non-legal volunteers, and providing communication with volunteer panels to include newsletters, etc.
• Volunteer Training and Scheduling: Train and schedule volunteer attorneys, law students and law graduates to staff weekly clinics.
• Creating and Maintaining Best Practices: Create and maintain updated clinic manuals and guidelines.
• Outreach: Assist with intakes and clinics, which can occur throughout our service area and occasionally in the evenings.
• Manage the flow of pro se litigants at clinics.
• Case Processing: Process legal service requests and evaluate the complexity of each client's legal problem, confirm applicant eligibility determinations, and make appropriate legal and social services referrals for clients/applicants.
• Case Management: Oversee cases being handled by pro bono attorneys. Conduct follow up with volunteer to ensure case is progressing towards resolution. Comply with BALS internal policies to ensure case information is updated promptly in Legal Server.
• Adheres to professional standards as outlined by governmental bodies, (and/or other appropriate professional associations), private funding sources, organization plans/policies and guidelines. Participates in periodic evaluative reviews and/or in-house and external staff training to ensure that she/he understands and continues to adhere to such standards. Initiates requests for assistance or guidance from supervisor to address new issues or complex concepts affecting adherence to professional standards.
• Performs other duties as designated by the Team Leader/Pro Bono Director of the VLP.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Juris Doctorate (JD), Florida Bar licensed and in good standing with the Bar
• Demonstrated ability to work in an independent but closely supervised environment
• Must have demonstrated experience in coordinating staff and volunteer activities or similar experience.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, organize and oversee/supervise work of volunteers.
• Familiarity with legal terminology and the judicial system.
• Ability to think critically, troubleshoot and problem solve issues quickly
• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills
• Excellent prioritization skills and ability to meet deadlines
• Ability to work in and contribute effectively to a team environment
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships both internally and with external community contacts
• 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
• Ability to work closely and cooperatively with other team members

Desirable Qualifications:

• Knowledge of poverty law issues
• Experience in bar association activities or other volunteer organizations.
• Proficiency in Spanish
• Experience with digital tools and open to exploring new technology skills to enhance their daily duties

Compensation/Benefits:

• Minimum salary $60,350.00/yr (increases with 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 the Florida Bar Foundation (FBF).

See a list of all full-time and part-time employee benefits .

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 to recruiting@bals.org. Please indicate where you learned about the role. This position will remain open until filled.

Bay Area Legal Services is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, nationality, sex, or veteran.

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