Open Positions at Florida Legal Services

Florida Legal Services, Inc. (FLS) is seeking a dynamic and committed attorney to join our team as the Pro Bono Coordinator. This role is crucial to expanding and sustaining our statewide pro bono program. The Pro Bono Coordinator will be responsible for recruiting, training, and supporting volunteer attorneys to handle individual cases across various substantive areas of law. Additionally, the Coordinator will foster relationships with large law firms and other legal organizations to develop long-term, systematic partnerships that enhance our organization's ability to serve clients.

Key Responsibilities:

Recruitment and Engagement:

• Identify and recruit volunteer attorneys from a diverse array of legal backgrounds to handle individual cases.

• Develop and maintain relationships with large law firms, corporations, and other legal entities to encourage their participation in pro bono work.

• Engage with law firms to establish long-term partnerships, such as “adopting” specific projects and committing to a steady stream of cases.

Program Development:

• Work with law firms and attorneys to develop and sustain systematic relationships with specific projects within the FLS.

• Collaborate with law firms on larger law reform or impact litigation cases, including civil rights class actions and other significant legal matters.

• Create and implement strategies to increase the participation of volunteer attorneys across the state.

Support and Mentorship:

• Provide ongoing support, mentorship, and guidance to volunteer attorneys, especially those handling cases in areas of law with which they may have limited experience.

• Coordinate and deliver training sessions, workshops, and resources to ensure volunteers are well-prepared and confident in their roles.

• Act as a resource for volunteers, answering questions, providing legal and procedural guidance, and offering feedback on case strategy and management.

Partnership Development:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with law firms and other potential partners to secure their commitment to supporting our organization’s mission through pro bono work.

• Explore opportunities for firms to co-counsel on larger, more complex cases that align with our strategic goals and advocacy efforts.

Program Management:

• Track and report on pro bono activities, including the number of cases handled, volunteer hours contributed, and outcomes achieved.

• Work closely with the FLS leadership to align pro bono efforts with overall strategic objectives.

• Ensure compliance with all relevant legal and ethical standards in the management of pro bono cases.

Qualifications:

• Education: Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.

• Licensure: Must be an attorney admitted to practice law in Florida and in good standing with The Florida Bar.

• Experience: 

• Minimum of 3-5 years of legal experience, preferably in public interest law, pro bono coordination, or related fields.

• Demonstrated experience in recruiting, managing, and mentoring attorneys, particularly in a pro bono or volunteer capacity.

• Strong understanding of various substantive areas of law relevant to the FLS’ work.

• Experience working with large law firms and coordinating complex litigation is highly desirable.

Skills:

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.

• Strong organizational and project management abilities.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

• Passion for public interest law and a commitment to access to justice.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.

• Comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement plan, and paid time off.

• Opportunities for professional development and advancement within the FLS.

Application Process:

Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, writing sample, and a list of references to work@floridalegal.org. Please include "Pro Bono Coordinator Application" in the subject line of your email.

Florida Legal Services, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and encourages candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply.

JOB DESCRIPTION

• Status: Exempt, full-time staff member of Florida Legal Services, Inc.

• Location: Hybrid Remote serving clients in Alachua County, FL with a physical office in Jonesville, FL. Ability to meet with clients, conduct community outreach, and attend court regularly is required.

• Education Requirements: Juris Doctorate Degree

• License/Certification Requirements: Admission to Florida Bar

• Schedule: Monday to Friday

JOB SUMMARY

The Project Attorney provides a wide range of civil legal assistance including legal advice, representation, and advocacy to tenants at risk of eviction. Services are provided to clients throughout Alachua County, Florida, both remotely and in person. As part of a holistic approach, legal assistance may encompass a wide scope of civil legal issues arising out of housing instability, including eviction defense, tenants’ rights, tenant/landlord negotiations, fair housing rights, and access to public benefits, rental assistance, and other housing assistance resources.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Provides legal advocacy and assistance to tenants at-risk of eviction or facing housing instability.

Activities include:

• Responding to calls and referrals of tenants, conducting intake, and screening applicants for legal issues that can be served under the Eviction Prevention Project;

• Providing high-quality legal assistance and representation renters at-risk of eviction; conducting client interviews, fact analysis and legal research as part of litigation development; providing legal advice and limited assistance to clients; drafting letters, legal motions, briefs, memos, pleadings and other documents; drafting and conducting all aspects of discovery; engaging in effective and regular communication with clients, witnesses, co-counsel, experts, and others as applicable; and engaging in legal advocacy in court, administrative proceedings, and other forums as lead counsel or co-counsel;

• Providing client assistance with accessing emergency rental assistance or other housing assistance resources, if available;

• Developing and disseminating education and outreach materials on eviction prevention issues in Florida and conducts trainings and online presentations for tenants and attorneys working with clients facing housing instability;

• Traveling as needed for outreach and education activities and to appearances in court or other forums and for project management, client interviews, depositions, fact analysis, meetings with witnesses, and other case-related activities;

• Providing clients with appropriate information and making appropriate referrals for services, both within and outside Florida Legal Services;

• Assisting project team with reports and data collection required for the project;

• Attending stakeholder meetings and other public education events to identify potential clients to be served under the Eviction Prevention Project.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Juris Doctorate Degree with 3 years of legal experience preferred.

• State or Federal court civil litigation or comparable legal experience, including housing issues.

• Excellent research and writing skills.

• Admission to The Florida Bar.

• Bilingual (English/Spanish), preferred.

• Consistent, high-quality attention to detail and the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.

• An understanding of race and gender equity issues in representing clients.

• Strong written and verbal communication, organizational skills, and time management abilities.

• Facility with social media and web-based communications and outreach tools.

• Initiative to work independently and ability to collaborate as part of a team.

• Valid driver’s license.

• Ability to travel, including overnight travel.

• Knowledge of low-income issues.

• Experience using LegalServer (or similar computer-based case management system) and Google Suite software platform is a plus.

• Commitment to work and learn in a technology-based distributed office environment.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Salary: From $70,000.00 per year, depending on experience

FLS offers an excellent benefits package including 17 paid holidays a year, generous paid time off and family leave policies, and fully-paid medical, dental, life, and vision insurance for employees.

TO APPLY

If you are interested in working with us, please submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and three professional references. Please include your salary requirements. Submissions should be in PDF format or Google Docs format (sent to us as a link) to work@floridalegal.org. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, but to receive full consideration you are encouraged to submit your application no later than June 15, 2024.

Status: Exempt, full time staff member of Florida Legal Services, Inc. 

Location: Flexible; Office locations in Newberry, FL and Orlando, FL 

• Services are provided Statewide

Supervisor: Director Attorney of Health Access project

Supervisory Responsibility: Outreach works and Volunteers 

Education Requirements: Juris Doctorate Degree 

JOB SUMMARY: 

Provides a wide range of legal advice, representation, and advocacy to adult and minor clients seeking or denied health coverage through Medicaid or KidCare.

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Provide legal assistance to clients applying for or appealing the denial of their Medicaid or KidCare applications

• Conduct client interviews

• Advise clients 

• Draft legal motions, briefs, memos, and other documents in support of litigation

• Litigate cases in administrative agency hearings and appeals, trial and appellate courts and quasi-legislative forums as necessary 

• Travel as needed to hearings in court or other forums and for client interviews, depositions, fact analysis, meetings with witnesses, and other case-related activities 

• Recruit, train, manage, and supervise volunteer law students, legal fellows, and attorneys

• Prepare educational materials and presentations for public awareness campaigns, training of partners, and community education events

• Keep time records on a daily basis

• Attend department and program-wide meetings

• Act as a resource for staff in other substantive areas

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Juris Doctorate Degree. 

• State or Federal court civil litigation, or comparable legal experience. 

• Experience in Medicaid and public benefits advocacy

• Excellent research and writing skills. 

• Admission to the Florida Bar. 

• Bilingual with fluency in Spanish, both oral and written. 

• Consistent, high-quality attention to detail and the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines. 

• Strong written and verbal communication, organizational skills, and time management abilities. 

• Initiative to work independently and ability to collaborate as part of a team. Valid driver’s license. 

• Ability to travel, including overnight travel. 

• Demonstrated commitment to social, racial, and economic justice. 

• Experience using LegalServer (or similar computer-based case management system) and Google Workspace software platform is a plus.

• Commitment to work and learn in a technology-based distributed office environment. 

Additional Responsibilities:

• Keeps contemporaneous time records on a daily basis.

• Attends FLS internal department and program-wide meetings.

• Attends training programs that enhance capacity to serve clients.

• Acts as a resource for FLS staff in substantive areas covered by the Children's Health Access Project.

• Documents all data points required by FLS, funders, and professional responsibilities in the LegalServer case management system.

• Coordinates the provision of legal assistance to clients with other service providers to ensure that Florida Legal Services is not duplicating services provided by other agencies.

• Travel as needed for meetings, trainings, and other FLS-approved activities.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Salary: From $70,000.00 per year, depending on experience, very competitive with public interest opportunities.

FLS offers an excellent benefits package including 17 paid holidays a year, generous paid time off and family leave policies, and fully-paid medical, dental, life, and vision insurance for employees.

TO APPLY

If you are interested in working with us, please submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and three professional references. Please include your salary requirements. Submissions should be in PDF format or Google Docs format (sent to us as a link) to work@floridalegal.org. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, but to receive full consideration you are encouraged to submit your application no later than August 31, 2024.

Florida Legal Services, Inc. (FLS) seeks a Fair Housing Outreach Advocate to join our energetic and enthusiastic team working on housing discrimination issues. While we work across the entire state, our fair housing work is focused on counties in North Central Florida. FLS is a statewide non-profit legal aid program providing free civil legal assistance to clients across Florida. FLS is a leader in advancing economic, social, and racial justice. We advocate for poor, vulnerable, and hard to reach people through impact litigation, legislative and administrative advocacy, education, and strategic partnerships.

Status: Exempt, full-time staff member

Location: Flexible; Remote with work from office locations in Newberry, FL and Orlando, FL

Supervisor: Fair Housing Supervising Attorney

Language Requirements: Bilingual, Fluency in Spanish

Job Summary: Provides advocacy support for the FLS Fair Housing Project by developing community partnerships, conducting fair housing outreach and education, and interacting with potential victims of housing discrimination.

Responsibilities:

• Facilitating and conducting fair housing outreach and education (in English and Spanish), with a focus on immigrant communities

• Conducting intake interviews of persons alleging housing discrimination

• Assisting with drafting and referring housing discrimination complaints to HUD or substantially equivalent agencies, DOJ, attorneys, and other enforcement agencies

• Assisting with drafting and revising training, education, and outreach materials, in English and Spanish

• Distributing printed fair housing materials, such as brochures or flyers, to project partners, community partners, housing providers, and the general public

• Participating in regular Fair Housing Project meetings 

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bilingual with fluency in Spanish, both oral and written, preferred;

• Demonstrated commitment to social, racial, and economic justice, required;

• Valid driver’s license;

• Ability to travel extensively;

• Excellent communication and time management abilities;

• Commitment to work and learn in a technology-based distributed office environment;

• Excellent and consistent attention to detail and the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines;

• Strong communication, organizational skills, and time management abilities;

• Initiative to work independently and ability to collaborate as part of a team;

Compensation & Benefits:

• Annual salary starts at $50,000. Salary will be set depending on experience, very competitive with public interest opportunities. 

• Opportunities for seniority and leadership are commensurate with experience and more experienced applicants are encouraged to apply.

• FLS offers an excellent benefits package including 17 paid holidays a year, generous paid time off and family leave policies, and fully-paid medical, dental, life, and vision insurance for employees.

How to apply:

If you are interested in working with us, please submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references. Please include your salary requirements. Submissions should be in PDF format or Google Docs format (sent to us as a link) to work@floridalegal.org.