Paralegal-Advocate Unit

Community Legal Services•Orlando, FL

1d•$50,000

About The Position

Be a part of an organization making a difference in the Central Florida community! As an Orlando Business Journal’s 2021 Best Places to Work Honoree, Orlando Sentinel’s 2022 Best Workplaces Honoree, and a SHRM Mental Health Ally, Community 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 is currently searching for a service-minded, mission driven individual to fulfill the following position: Paralegal -Advocate Unit OVERVIEW Reports to and receives general direction from Director of Advocacy, Staff Attorney or designee, the paralegal provides paraprofessional legal services to eligible clients in civil and other cases, under the direct supervision of an attorney, in accordance with the program’ mission and principles of advocacy, other program guidelines, the ABA Standards for Providers of Civil Legal Services and the Florida Rules of Professional Conduct.

Requirements

Commitment
Demonstrating commitment to promoting the mission, vision, and values of CLS.
Unwavering dedication to high-quality legal programs, fiscal strength, and organizational integrity.
Commitment to continued learning and training.
Background and Experience
Legal Studies Education and/or Paralegal certification.
Experience with executing strategic plans preferred.
Law firm experience (2+years), experience in support of litigation and commitment working with low-income and/or vulnerable clients and communities on civil legal matters also a plus.
Florida Notary a plus.
Bilingual (Spanish; spoken and written fluency) preferred.
Excellent phone and in-person professional customer service ability required, with superior organizational and highly polished communication and writing skills.
Must be a self-motivated, professional, and capable of independently managing workload and prioritizing tasks in a fast-paced legal environment with minimal supervision.
Microsoft Office Suite proficiency required.
Valid Florida license, use of own auto, and proof of insurance necessary to perform duties and attend meetings and/or other functions throughout 12 county service area.
Ability to work independently and to travel; possibility of working weekends and evenings
Physical Requirements
Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at times.

Nice To Haves

Experience with executing strategic plans preferred.
Law firm experience (2+years), experience in support of litigation and commitment working with low-income and/or vulnerable clients and communities on civil legal matters also a plus.
Florida Notary a plus.
Bilingual (Spanish; spoken and written fluency) preferred.

Responsibilities

Assists clients within the entire Community Legal Services (CLS) service area which may require frequent travel throughout the CLS service areas for meetings.
Completes Client Intake processes and determines client eligibility for legal services in accordance with program policies and procedures.
Gathers information, interviews clients and witnesses; investigates and develops cases; prepares written reports to attorneys detailing the results of the interview/investigation.
Makes and follows up on referrals of clients to appropriate alternative or additional sources of assistance.
Works jointly in partnership with supervising attorney on assigned cases.
Represents clients at administrative hearings within the guidelines governing advocacy by non-attorneys.
Maintains accurate, complete, well-organized electronic case/project records, files, and calendars.
Performs legal research including use of computer-based databases, e.g., Thomson-Reuters/Casetext computerized practice software.
Keeps abreast of new areas of the law, particularly areas of housing stability, income maintenance, access to justice, and other firm priorities.
Serves process and executes appropriate affidavits of service; serves witness subpoenas and other papers, as requested, files legal papers with appropriate courts.
Participates in outreach to clients and community groupsto strengthen community partnerships.
As requested, participates in fundraising activities and public relations.
May participate in the orientation and training of employees and volunteers, including law school interns.
Actively participates in umbrella groups and task forces.
Greets clients, applicants, and other visitors to the office in a courteous and polite manner.
Answers telephones and refers callers to appropriate staff members, other CLS offices or other agencies, as appropriate
Opens and distributes mail and provides other clerical services, as necessary.
May perform duties of the work of higher or lower classified positions, as assigned.

Benefits

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 after 1 year of employment (5%)
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!