Attorney II Family Law & Victims of Crime

Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida, Inc. (CCLA), established in 2003, is a Legal Services Corporation (LSC) funded, non-profit organization providing free civil legal services to low-income and otherwise eligible residents of Broward County. Located in Plantation, Florida, CCLA’s mission is to provide equal justice to underserved communities through quality and innovative free civil legal aid, helping thousands of economically disadvantaged residents gain greater access to justice and remove barriers to a healthy and stable life. CCLA offers legal assistance in Family Law & Victims of Crime, Economic Advocacy & Community Health (public benefits), and Senior Law for people age 60 and older.

About the role

CCLA is seeking a hardworking, compassionate, and experienced Attorney to represent victims of intimate partner violence in family law and injunction for protection cases, as well as victims’ rights enforcement in criminal cases under Marsy’s Law. The Attorney will also address other civil legal needs such as benefits and housing, assist eligible pro se litigants with family law matters, provide advice and brief service, and mentor and train new attorneys and paralegals. This role requires expertise in substantive law, leadership in litigation, independent work, and the ability to manage a complex caseload.

Responsibilities

• Prepare pleadings and represent clients in family law, injunctions, victims’ rights, and related cases for holistic representation of victims of intimate partner violence, human trafficking, and/or seniors age 60 and older.
• Maintain a caseload and co-counsel on complex cases as needed.
• Conduct interviews with clients and witnesses.
• Answer client-related phone calls, maintain detailed case notes, and keep the court calendar updated.
• Advise clients on family law, domestic violence issues, and their legal rights and responsibilities.
• Interpret and analyze statutes, relevant case law, and perform legal research and writing.
• Analyze probable outcomes of cases using knowledge of legal precedent.
• Develop strategies and arguments for cases and present them in court.
• Engage in troubleshooting and prioritizing cases, and analyze client documentation.
• Represent clients in court, litigate contested and uncontested hearings, and engage in discovery, mediation, and depositions.
• Oversee case status through the case management system.
• Participate in application/prescreen review for case acceptance.
• Assist the Director and Supervising Attorneys with mentoring staff attorneys, supervising paralegals, and overseeing substantive and non-substantive legal work.
• Attend unit meetings and case reviews to ensure proper case management and grant compliance.
• Assist in interviewing, hiring, orientation, training, and evaluation of unit staff, and recommend personnel actions as needed.
• Ensure cases comply with grant requirements, complete and submit grant reporting, and meet grant deliverables.
• Identify gaps in services and source grants or resources to address community needs.
• Ensure compliance with office policies and procedures in accordance with grants.
• Perform community outreach to promote referrals, including social media content, virtual and in-person outreach, and participation in coordinated community response organizations.
• Provide educational training for staff, clients, and community providers.
• Maintain accurate and contemporaneous timekeeping.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director, Supervising Attorneys, or Management, or as required by grant(s).

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
• Florida bar membership in good standing.
• At least 5 years of relevant family law and/or criminal law experience, including litigation.
• Knowledge of LSC rules and regulations and LegalServer is a plus.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail and extensive in-person and remote hearing litigation experience.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, court case management systems, Florida’s e-filing, PDF software (Adobe, Foxit), and Zoom.
• Patience, efficiency, and ability to multitask, organize, prioritize, and adapt.
• Strong collaboration and leadership skills, committed to excellence and collegiality.
• Understanding of applicable laws and dynamics of intimate partner violence, injunctions for protection, and family law.
• Efficient case management, complete note-taking, and ability to meet grant reporting requirements.
• Ability to conduct training, outreach, and attend all mandated trainings.
• Must pass a background check before employment begins due to funder requirements.

Benefits

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance (100% employer-paid for individual coverage).
• Life, short-term, and long-term disability insurance (100% employer-paid coverage).
• Supplemental insurance options.
• 403(b) plan (tax-sheltered annuity) with employer contribution.
• Coverage of Florida bar dues and Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits.
• Opportunity to apply for student loan payment assistance.
• Substantial discounts on gym memberships, parks, travel, pet insurance, and more.
• Generous paid time off package, including vacation, sick leave, and over 12 holidays per year.
• Flexible hybrid work schedule (2 days in-office, 3 days remote) for non-probationary employees.