Managing Attorney-Public Benefits Unit

Be a part of an organization making a difference in the Central Florida community. As an Orlando Business Journals2021 Best Places to WorkHonoree Orlando Sentinels 2022 Best Workplaces Honoree and a SHRM Mental Health AllyCommunity 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
• Excellent physical/mental health vision and benefits (With 95% of benefits paid for by company)
• 100% Coverage with Dental Benefits Life Insurance Long/Short Term Disability
• 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:

Managing Attorney-Public Benefits Unit

OVERVIEW

Reportsto and receives general direction from theChiefProgramOfficer Director of Litigation Director of Advocacy or Attorney provides leadership and direction of the assigned substantive unit Public Benefits Unit while maintaining the highest standards of representation of clients.This positionensures that unit members provide comprehensive legal services to eligible clients in civil cases in accordance with Community Legal Services (CLS) mission and priorities other program policies the ABA Standards for Providers of Civil Legal Services and the Rules RegulatingtheFlorida Bar and Floridas 2001 Plan for Legal Services

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Determine client eligibility for legal services in accordance with CLS program policies and procedures.
2. Represent eligible clients within the entire CLS service area.
3. Travel as necessary to represent clients as well as to attend CLS authorized trainings events and meetings.
4. Provide high quality legal services to eligible clients including identification of legal problems investigation advice negotiation representation before courts administrative and legislative/quasi-legislative bodies and preparation of necessary documentation.
5. Identify legal needs of the low-income community develop legal educational programs and/or direct advocacy strategies to address those needs and report these to the appropriatepractice unit.
6. Supervise support mentor and train attorneys advocates paralegals and support staff in all aspects of their work.
7. Provide substantive training to paralegal advocates and attorneys to prepare them for contested administrative hearings.
8. Demonstrate the ability to handle complex litigation in a highly competent and efficient manner through use of advanced advocacy skills as shown by having significant responsibility in a broad range of work including administrative law cases federal court cases appellate level cases and other complex civil proceedings (i.e. jury trials litigation involving impact or novel issues novel forums multi-day or complex multi-party trials relief by extraordinary writ etc.).
9. Perform advanced legal research including use of computer-based databases e.g. Westlaw and computerized practice software.
10. Maintain a regular active caseload.
11. Collaborate with other substantive law units to further the provision of holistic services to CLS clients and the mission of CLS.
12. Complete submit and review all required reports timesheets expenses invoices etc.
13. Participate in the identification application and oversight of any grants applicable to the unit.
14. Support all reporting and compliance efforts with respect to program initiatives including grants.
15. Provide strategic vision for the unit aligned with CLS Strategic Plan Needs Assessment annual priorities and mission.
16. Build and maintain relationships with community organizations and other stakeholders to support the delivery of legal services to clients and legal information to the community.
17. Assist in the development and management of the budget for the unit and oversee the budget for the unit to ensure effective resource allocation and maximum impact.
18. Other duties as assigned in furtherance of the mission of CLS.

REQUIREMENTS

1. Commitment

a. Demonstrating commitment to promoting the mission vision and values of CLS.

b. Unwavering dedication to high-quality legal programs fiscal strength and organizational integrity.

2. Background and Experience

1. Must be licensed to practice in the State of Floria and a member in good standing of The Florida Bar
2. Must have a demonstrable commitment to understanding and addressing issues of low-income constituents.
3. Minimum of fiveyears experiencepracticing law preferably in a legal services program and expertise within unit specialty.
4. Experience with legal nonprofit organizations preferred.

1. Excellent interpersonal and oral and written communication skills.
2. Strong leadership abilities and the ability to work in a collaborative work environment.
3. Some attorney supervision experience preferred.
4. Proficiency with MS Office Suite.
5. Be bondable

1. Ability to perform duties and attend meetings and/or other functions throughout 12 county service area.
2. Valid Florida automobile license use of own automobile and proof of insurance necessary to travel on behalf of CLS; possibility of working weekends and evenings.

3. Physical Requirements

a. Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

b. Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at times.

STARTING SALARY: $90000 more with experience

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 based on 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.