Disaster Relief Staff Attorney

BAY AREA LEGAL SERVICES INC • Ruskin, FL

5h • Hybrid

About The Position

Bay Area Legal Services is a nonprofit law firm serving the Tampa Bay area and providing legal services to people with limited access to them. The Disaster Relief Staff Attorney delivers targeted legal services, ranging from brief services to extended representation, to individuals and families affected by disasters in a designated 13-county region of Florida. The role also includes substantial community engagement, such as staffing outreach events and presenting to community audiences and partner organizations. The attorney collaborates with team members to meet grant deliverables and should expect to travel as needed. As disaster-related demand changes, duties may shift to other work as needed.

The position is based in Ruskin, Florida, with a hybrid schedule of three days in the office and two days remote. The attorney is supervised by a Team Leader and other senior staff while working substantially independently.

Requirements

• Juris Doctorate (JD).
• Florida Bar license in good standing.
• At least one year of experience as a licensed practicing attorney.
• Ability to collaborate, work well, and contribute effectively within a team.
• Ability to multitask and adapt to new and changing environments.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, meet deadlines, and maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive information.
• Strong attention to detail and organization, with the ability to establish priorities and track projects.
• Demonstrated commitment to providing high-quality legal services to individuals with limited access to legal services.
• Comfort with community engagement, including staffing clinics, giving presentations, and acting as a program ambassador in public settings.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in general legal practice, including serving low-income clients, or experience as a law intern with a legal services program.
• Ability to work closely with others and willingness to accept supervision.
• Sympathetic understanding of the social, economic, and legal problems of individuals with limited access to legal services.
• Knowledge of Spanish or proficiency in another language.
• Experience with disaster relief legal services, including familiarity with disaster-related legal issues and community outreach focused on disaster survivors.

Responsibilities

• Staff the statewide disaster relief hotline, conduct client intake, and provide appropriate legal services based on client need and eligibility.
• Interview applicants and determine whether they meet established legal services eligibility requirements.
• Counsel and advise clients, and refer applicants to legal aid partners or community resources for other needed services.
• Prepare legal instruments, pleadings, trial briefs, oral arguments, and abstracts of legal research related to cases.
• Conduct correspondence related to services rendered.
• Represent clients in hearings before courts and administrative tribunals.
• Attend focused outreach events and deliver presentations about disaster legal services.
• Coordinate with the Team Leader to ensure compliance with grant requirements and deliverables.
• Perform related work and other duties as assigned by the Team Leader.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree