Paralegal Advocate

Community Legal Services•Orlando, FL

2d•$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 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 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! CLS is currently searching for a service-minded, mission driven individual to fulfill the following position: Paralegal Advocate OVERVIEW Reports to and receives general direction from Managing Attorney, Staff Attorney or designee, the Paralegal Advocate 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

Demonstrating commitment to promoting the mission, vision, and values of CLS.
Unwavering dedication to high-quality legal programs, fiscal strength, and organizational integrity.
Legal Studies Education and/or Paralegal certification.
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.
Excellent phone manner and 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.
Ability to perform duties and attend meetings and/or other functions throughout 12 county service area.
Valid Florida automobile license, use of own auto, and proof of insurance necessary.
Ability to work independently.
Available to travel, work weekends and evenings.
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

Bilingual (English Spanish; spoken and written fluency) preferred.

Responsibilities

Represents clients within the entire CLS service area which may require frequent travel throughout the Service Area.
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 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 case/project records and files.
Performs legal research including use of computer-based databases, e.g., Lexis and computerized practice Software.
Participates in outreach to clients and community groups.
As requested, participates in fundraising activities and public relations.
May participate in the orientation and training of employees.
Keeps abreast of new areas of the law, particularly as it affects low-income persons.
Serves process and executes appropriate affidavits of service; serves witness subpoenas and other papers, as requested, files legal papers with appropriate courts.
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 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!