Family Law Staff Attorney

About the role

The purpose of this position is to provide civil legal assistance to Victims of Domestic Violence. The ideal candidate must have an extensive knowledge in Family law, three-five years’ experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Interviews, certifies eligibility, and identifies the legal problems of FRLS clients within a specific area of law and provides clients with appropriate legal assistance in the form of advice, referrals, or actual representation.
• Participates in outreach.
• Represents clients in court and before administrative agencies as accepted.
• Provides documentation, statistical information and other records as required by the Managing Attorney, Advocacy Director, or Executive Director.
• Participates in case acceptance meetings.
• Participates in training to keep up CLE’s and required and legally relevant training as may be provided by the program and as mandated by Florida Bar rules.
• Adheres to office hours, exhibits a strong work ethic and excellent time management skills, communicates, and treats clients and staff with courtesy and respect, provides constructive feedback to other advocates (including paralegals) on cases discussed.
• Serves as a role model to support staff by promoting the values of hard work, high quality advocacy and treating others with courtesy and respect.
• Attempts to ensure accessibility of the local office(s) when necessary, by serving clients, including rural clients, non-English speaking clients and client with disabilities.
• Promotes good relations with public, including client groups, service providers, press, and private bar, attending/speaking at local meetings as appropriate and approved by the Managing Attorney, Deputy Director, Advocacy Director and/or Executive Director.
• Develops and maintains familiarity with FRLS policies, as well as requirements of LSC and other funders, and adheres to those policies and requirements.
• Maintains accurate follow-up system to review cases when needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Juris Doctorate from an ABA accredited law school and barred in Florida; or Certified Legal Intern (CLI) Certificate required.
• Candidates must be eligible for and maintain Certified Legal Intern (CLI) status in accordance with Florida Supreme Court requirements. CLI certification is time-limited (generally up to 18 months), and continued employment in this role is contingent upon maintaining active certification and taking the first bar exam available after graduation.
• Current law student or recent law school graduate eligible for CLI certification under Florida Supreme Court rule.
• If not currently a Certified Legal Intern at the time of hire, the individual must obtain certification before onboarding.
• Knowledge of State and Federal court practices required.
• Some knowledge of the legal system, commitment to the mission of FRLS and compassion for the clients.
• Ability to forge positive relationships with prospects and colleagues.
• Good organizational, interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively, yet independently.
• Must be able to effectively and efficiently maximize existing resources.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint).
• Knowledge of CMS a plus.
• Must be able to effectively work in high-pressure situations, which involve deadlines.

Qualifications

• Bilingual Spanish/Haitian Creole preferred but not required.

Skills

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and prioritize accordingly.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.

Benefits

• 403(b) with employer-paid contribution.
• Health insurance (medical, dental, and vision) for employees and their dependents.
• Malpractice insurance.
• Paid leave (up to 5 weeks of PTO, 2 personal days, and 13 holidays).
• Law school loan repayment assistance.

Pay

The starting salary for this position is $68,000. This is the salary for any law school graduate who has not yet passed the bar. The salary increases based on a union scale and is adjusted upward depending on experience.

Schedule

FRLS Attorneys operate in a hybrid work environment, requiring advocates to work in their assigned office at least three days per week.