Attorney-Public Benefits

Description

Costa to Costa Legal Aid of South Florida, Inc. (CCLA) is a Legal Services Corporation (LSC) funded, non-profit organization established in 2003. CCLA provides free civil legal services to low-income and otherwise eligible residents of Broward County, Florida. Our mission is to provide equal justice to underserved communities through quality and innovative free civil legal aid. CCLA focuses on Family Law & Victims of Crime, Economic Advocacy & Community Health (public benefits), and Senior Law for people age 60 and older.

Position Duties

• Substantial compliance with the CCLA Program Priority Plan within their areas of specialization and consonant with the Legal Services Corporation guidelines.
• Responsible for all phases of case work, including interviewing clients and witnesses, discovery, investigations, negotiations, legal research, hearings, and appeals.
• Supervises legal interns and paralegals assigned to cases within their practice areas.
• Attends unit meetings, complies with all program and unit forms and directives, completes monthly case reports, and reports to the unit on development in their area of expertise.
• Trains paralegals and legal interns assigned to work in their areas.
• Conducts client interviews to gather information, investigates fact situations, gathers and evaluates evidence, witnesses, drafts letters, emails, memoranda, pleadings, briefs, assists with applications and appeals, completes forms, reviews agency notices, reviews medical records or other client documents, and performs legal research.
• Advise and represent clients in SSDI/SSI cases, including representing clients at hearings before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), in Appeals Council appeals, and potentially in Federal Court as applicable.
• Advise and represent clients in reemployment assistance cases, including representing clients at administrative hearings before referees and in appeals to the RAAC.
• Advise and represent clients in SNAP/TANF cases, including representing clients in administrative hearings with DCF.
• Advise and represent clients in healthcare related cases, including Medicaid, Medicare, Marketplace and other denials of healthcare or services.
• Frequent communication with clients and outside agencies; in person, on the phone, and via email.
• Works closely with numerous attorneys and paralegals, returning client's calls/emails in a timely manner, maintaining records, case notes, and daily timekeeping in CCLA's case management system.
• Conducts community outreach events in person and/or virtually, as well as, on social media and conducts educational training for staff, clients, and community providers, in accordance with CCLA's outreach policy, and as needed.
• Keeps track of and meets deadlines and hearing dates.
• Compliant with program and grant requirements.
• Performs all other duties as assigned and/or requested by Management, Supervisors, or as required by grant(s).

Position Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) and admission to the Florida Bar in good standing.
• Bilingual English/Spanish or English/Haitian Creole (spoken and written) preferred.
• Prior public benefit experience, particularly with SSDI/SSI or reemployment assistance is a plus.
• Capable of acting with substantial degree of independence and responsibility in this professional capacity.
• Experience or demonstrated interest in working with people with disabilities and/or lower socioeconomic status preferred.
• Flexible, effective, written and oral communication skills.
• Able to multitask, organize, detail-oriented, prioritize, and manage a diverse caseload.
• Must have the ability to work efficiently and independently with supervision.
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Professional demeanor and client-oriented focus.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.

Why Join CCLA?

• Competitive benefits package including medical, vision, and 100% employer-paid individual dental coverage.
• 100% employer-paid life, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance.
• Supplemental insurance options.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution.
• Student loan payment assistance.
• Substantial discounts on gym memberships, parks, travel, pet insurance, and more.
• Generous paid time off, more than 12 paid holidays annually, employee discounts, and a hybrid work schedule (two in-office days and three remote days) for eligible employees following the successful completion of the probationary period.
• Mission-driven organization where your work makes a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.