Staff Attorney Older Adults Unit

SIGN ON BONUS, READ BELOW!

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, Orlando Sentinel’s 2022 Best Workplaces Honoree, and a SHRM Mental Health Ally, 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
• 100% employer-paid health, dental, life, and disability insurance, plus vision coverage at minimal employee cost
• 100% 403B match up to 5% after 1 year of employment
• 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:

Staff Attorney-Older Adults Unit (Ocala/Spring Hill)

Overview

This position represents low-income individuals and other vulnerable populations, including older adults and caregivers, in a broad range of elder law matters. The role supports older adults and caregivers in addressing civil legal barriers that affect their ability to age in place, including elder abuse, financial exploitation, consumer scams, housing and residential placement, age discrimination, advance health care planning, long-term care and estate planning, guardianship, income instability, and family law matters. In addition, the position engages in community legal education, senior outreach, the provision of general legal information, and the development of collaborative partnerships with community-based organizations to better serve the aging population.

Responsibilities

• Regular client interaction includes completing intakes, conducting interviews, and providing legal assistance such as brief advice, limited services, and full representation.
• Research and interpret laws, rulings, and regulations applicable to cases assigned as well as prepare and review legal writings for the court or administrative agencies.
• Representing and advising clients in a variety of civil law matters affecting clients’ independence, including, but not limited to: elder abuse, financial exploitation, public benefits, long-term care benefits, landlord/tenant issues, foreclosure prevention, homestead issues, debt collection, consumer scams, guardianship, age discrimination, estate planning, custody by extended family members, and dissolution of marriage.
• Developing and maintaining a referral process between community partners and CLS.
• Identifying legal needs of older adults and caregivers and developing legal educational programs to address those needs.
• Conducting training and outreach with the community organization’s managers, staff, subagencies, and volunteers and supporting the firm’s overall mission.
• Collaborating with aging and caregiver service providers and organizations including areas on aging agencies, county senior services divisions, aging networks, domestic abuse, law enforcement, public schools, and faith-based organizations.
• Cultivating and coordinating effective working relationships with professionals and faith or community-based organizations, to assure CLS’s positive impact on its clients served and create awareness.
• Provide legal assistance to older adults and caregivers ranging from pro se assistance to full representation.
• Drafting pro se pleadings, counseling pro se litigants through in the court process, representing clients in court or before administrative agencies, conducting discovery, attending mediation, negotiating disputes, and drafting settlement agreements.
• Participate in outreach events and provide community education.
• Identify and participate in impact advocacy that impacts older adults and caregivers.
• Supervise paralegals and other subordinates in all aspects of their work.
• All other duties as assigned to further the overall mission of CLS.
• Working a full-time position with the ability to work both scheduled and flexible work hours, including evenings and weekends, based on business needs to perform duties, attend meetings and/or other functions throughout the counties served by CLS.
• This position requires in-person presence in CLS's service area; specifically, this role will require weekly in-person attendance at meetings, trainings, and/or events in Lake, Sumter, Hernando, Sumter, Marion, and/or Putnam Counties.
• This position requires heavy travel in CLS’s service area; specifically, this role will require heavy travel, weekly, in Lake, Sumter, Hernando, Sumter, Marion, and/or Putnam Counties.
  
  
  

Requirements

• Commitment
• Demonstrating commitment to promoting the mission, vision, and values of CLS.
• Unwavering dedication to high-quality legal programs, fiscal strength, and organizational integrity.
• Background and Experience
• Admitted to practice law in Florida and in good standing with The Florida Bar.
• Minimum of four (4) years of experience working with low-income and/or vulnerable clients and communities on civil legal matters preferred.
• Significant experience representing clients and maintaining a caseload is required,
• Significant legal experience in elder law preferred.
• Significant experience in litigation before courts and/or administrative agencies, preferred
• Demonstrated initiative, sound independent legal judgment, and the ability to quickly build subject-matter knowledge.
• Must have strong interpersonal and organizational skills, with the ability to engage a diverse constituency with empathy and professionalism, particularly older adults and caregivers during challenging life events.
• Strong communication skills, writing skills, and work ethics are required.
• Demonstrated proficiency with technology-based tools to track time, manage caseloads, and support efficient practice.
• Must maintain professional and legal knowledge through reading and continuing education.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Must be able to attend meetings and/or other functions at various locations throughout service area.
• Must be computer literate using Microsoft Office Suite.
• Valid Florida automobile license, use of own auto, and proof of insurance necessary.
• Must be able to travel to the offices within 12 county service areas and sometimes outside of service area.
• Physical Requirements
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk, driving, and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift to 25 pounds at times.
  
  
  

STARTING SALARY: $70,000, more with experience, PLUS 10% SIGN ON BONUS OF OFFERED SALARY

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.