Staff Attorney – Pro Bono Coordinator

Florida Rural Legal Services Inc • Lakeland, FL

26d • $75,059 • Hybrid

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 purpose of this position is to implement the strategic vision and day-to-day management of FRLS’s pro bono program in the assigned judicial circuit(s). In conjunction with other members of the Pro Bono team, the Pro Bono Coordinator is responsible for fostering positive relationships with the private bar, law firms, law schools, bar associations, state-wide access to justice commissions, community partners, and national organizations. The Pro Bono Coordinator may maintain a caseload approved by program priorities in areas such as housing, family law matters, public benefits, consumer law, elder law, education, immigration, civil rights, and other appropriate areas. The Pro Bono Coordinator reports to the Pro Bono Manager.

Requirements

• Juris Doctorate from an ABA accredited law school.
• Barred in Florida and at least 4 years of civil practice in FL in one of FRLS’s practice areas.
• Knowledge of State and Federal court practices required.
• Some knowledge of the legal system, commitment to the mission of FRLS and compassion for the clients.
• Ability to forge positive relationships with prospects and colleagues.
• Good organizational, interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively, yet independently.
• Must be able to effectively and efficiently maximize existing resources.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint).
• Must be able to effectively work in high-pressure situations, which involve deadlines.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of CMS a plus.
• Bilingual Spanish/Haitian Creole preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Interviews, certifies eligibility and identifies the legal problems of FRLS’s clients within a specific area of law and provides clients with appropriate legal assistance in the form of advice, referrals, or actual representation.
• Recruit attorney volunteers, law students, paralegals, and other professionals to accept pro bono cases and assist at pro se and legal advice clinics.
• Conduct on-site intake as needed at outreach events.
• Manage the flow of cases from intake to placement (case matching) with volunteer
• Act as attorney mentor to pro bono attorneys.
• Develop and implement various pro bono projects, advice clinics, and outreach events for the benefit of attorneys and clients.
• Develop and implement CLE trainings for pro bono volunteers and FRLS’s staff.
• Develop and implement volunteer recognition programs.
• Work with various committees, bar associations, community partners, and the public to promote FRLS Pro Bono Program.
• Collaborate to establish and implement creative pro bono opportunities for attorneys in the service area.
• Submit articles for local newsletters, produce recognition ads, press releases, and other advertising pamphlets and brochures to increase participation in outreach events by attorneys and clients.
• Participates in community outreach and education.
• Represents clients in court and before administrative agencies as accepted.
• Provides documentation, statistical information and other records as required by the Managing Attorney, Deputy Director, or Executive Director.
• Participates in case acceptance meetings.
• Participates in training to keep up CLE’s and required and legally relevant training as may be provided by the program and as mandated by Florida Bar rules.
• Adheres to office hours, exhibits a strong work ethic and excellent time management skills, communicates, and treats clients and staff with courtesy and respect, provides constructive feedback to other advocates (paralegals) on cases discussed.
• Serves as a role model to support staff by promoting the values of hard work, high quality advocacy and treating others with courtesy and respect.
• Attempts to ensure accessibility of the local office(s) when necessary, by serving clients, including rural clients, non-English speaking clients and client with disabilities.
• Promotes good relations with the public, including client groups, service providers, press, and private bars, attending/speaking at local meetings as appropriate and approved by the Managing Attorney, Deputy Director and/or Executive Director.
• Is familiar with FRLS policies, as well as requirements of LSC and other funders, and adheres to those policies and requirements.
• Maintains an accurate follow-up system to review cases when needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 403(b) with employer-paid contribution
• health insurance (medical, dental, and vision) for employees and their dependents
• malpractice insurance
• paid leave (up to 5 weeks of PTO, 2 personal days, and 13 holidays)
• law school loan repayment assistance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees