Litigation and Training Director

Florida Rural Legal Services Inc•North Fort Myers, FL

17h•$118,000•Onsite

About The Position

Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc. (FRLS) is a non-profit law firm that provides free civil legal aid to eligible individuals, families, and vulnerable communities across 13 Florida counties, as well as to farm workers statewide. Since 1966, FRLS has been dedicated to justice, offering legal services in housing law, family law, consumer protection, public benefits, elder law, disaster relief, education law, and more—at no cost to our clients. FRLS partners with community organizations and pro bono attorneys to provide quality advocacy, outreach, and education aimed at protecting the rights of those in need. For over 50 years, FRLS has been a steadfast advocate for justice. Learn more at www.FRLS.org. The Litigation and Training Director is a management level attorney position who reports directly to the Advocacy Director. The Litigation Director is responsible for supporting the Advocacy Director and Deputy Director in shaping and implementing the organization’s legal advocacy strategy. The role involves collaborating with and guiding attorneys, paralegals, and support staff, overseeing legal work, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality legal services to underserved communities. The Litigation Director will primarily focus on litigation, training, and compliance. This person will lead FRLS’s advocacy training and will cover for the Advocacy Director when the Advocacy Director is unavailable.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school in the United States.
Admission to the Florida Bar.
Minimum of 10 years of litigation experience, including significant experience in legal aid, public interest law, or civil rights litigation. Must have experience working with low-income, elderly, and non-English speaking populations. Previous leadership or management experience is strongly preferred.
Strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills.
Proven record in successful litigation and legal advocacy.
Excellent leadership and team management abilities.
Effective communication and public speaking skills.
Ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups of people.
Demonstrated commitment to social justice and the mission of legal aid.
Ability to forge positive relationships with prospects and colleagues.
Good organizational and people skills.
Ability to work independently.
Creativity and ability to maximize the use of existing resources.
Familiarity with electronic document tracking.
Ability to use various technologies effectively, including Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and Legal Server or a similar case management system, remote communications systems, such as shared on-line workspaces and web meeting and videoconferencing software.
Ability to collaborate with staff located in multiple offices.
Ability to manage multiple tasks.
Ability to work in high pressure situations and meet deadlines.
Passion for advancing the rights of underserved communities.
Strategic thinker with the ability to see the big picture and execute complex projects.
High degree of professionalism, integrity, and ethical judgment.
Must be able to travel throughout Florida, as needed.
Must have a reliable vehicle and a valid driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

Working knowledge of FL rules regarding ethics and professionalism a plus.
Proficiency in Spanish or Creole is a plus.

Responsibilities

Case Management & Strategy: Developing and implementing litigation strategies for program. Overseeing case management, including offering feedback on case assignment, assisting with trial preparation, and coordination of legal resources for litigation.
Team Leadership: Mentor and provide guidance to attorneys, paralegals, and legal support staff in relation to advocacy and skills development. Foster a collaborative environment focused on professional growth and high-quality legal service delivery.
Litigation Support: Take a lead role in significant cases, including co-counselling, drafting pleadings, conducting depositions, representing clients in court, and negotiating settlements. Ensure thorough preparation and effective courtroom representation by advocates. Serve as a thought leader on litigation strategy. Consult with and support both new and experienced attorneys in their litigation efforts.
Legal Research & Writing: Conduct and oversee legal research, the drafting of motions, briefs, and other legal documents. Review major pleadings, settlement and negotiation documents, and other significant pieces of legal writing. Ensure that all legal filings meet the highest standards of quality and accuracy. These duties are taken in conjunction with the managing attorneys.
Training and Development: Organize and deliver training sessions for attorneys and advocacy staff. Promote continuous learning, legal education, and the development of best practices within the team.
Compliance & Reporting: Facilitate compliance with all applicable laws, ethical standards, and organizational policies and funding compliance requirements. Assist in the preparation of reports for internal and external stakeholders, including funders and the Board of Directors.
Grant and Fund Development Support: Work with the development team to align litigation work with funding objectives and grant advocacy goals.
Community Engagement: Represent the organization in public forums, conferences, and meetings. Serve as a spokesperson for the organization’s litigation efforts. Build and maintain relationships with community partners, advocacy groups, and other stakeholders.
Private Attorney Involvement (PAI) Program – assist the PAI program with litigation support and recruitment.
Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

FRLS offers a very generous benefits package that includes 403(b) with employer-paid contribution; health insurance (medical, dental, and vision) for employees and their dependents; paid leave (up to 5 weeks of PTO, 2 personal days, and 13 holidays).

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