Description:
PMLS is looking for an attorney who can take ownership of litigation matters, exercise sound independent judgment, communicate and connect effectively with clients, and move cases and matters forward efficiently from initial evaluation through resolution or trial.Areas of Practice:
The attorney will handle and assist with matters involving:
- Residential and commercial landlord-tenant litigation;
- Real estate and property disputes;
- Breach of lease and breach of contract actions;
- Evictions and possession-related litigation;
- Unlawful detainer and ejectment actions;
- Property damage and monetary claims;
- Fair housing and discrimination claims;
- Premises liability and landlord-liability matters;
- Partition, quiet-title, boundary, ownership, and related real-property disputes;
- Injunctive and declaratory relief;
- Disputes involving property owners and management companies;
- Bankruptcy issues affecting landlords, leases, and possession rights;
- Federal and state litigation involving subsidized or regulated housing programs; and
- Other complex civil litigation arising from real estate ownership, leasing, and property management.
Responsibilities:
The successful candidate will be expected to independently manage an active civil litigation caseload and day-to-day legal consultation for company clients, including:
- Evaluating new cases and developing litigation strategy;
- Conducting legal research and providing practical legal analysis;
- Drafting complaints, answers, affirmative defenses, counterclaims, motions, memoranda, discovery, and other substantive pleadings;
- Handling written discovery, document production, subpoenas, and discovery disputes;
- Taking and defending depositions;
- Preparing and arguing dispositive, discovery, evidentiary, and procedural motions;
- Attending hearings, mediations, depositions, case-management conferences, and trials;
- Preparing witnesses and clients for testimony;
- Developing evidentiary and trial strategy;
- Preparing exhibits, hearing materials, and trial binders;
- Negotiating settlements and drafting settlement agreements;
- Maintaining direct and timely communication with clients;
- Identifying litigation risks and advising clients regarding practical and cost-effective solutions;
- Drafting contracts, forms, notices, demands, agreements, and memos;
- Supervising and effectively utilizing paralegals and legal assistants;
- Maintaining accurate deadlines, tasks, notes, documents, and communications within the firm's case-management system; and
- Recording billable time contemporaneously and meeting the firm's productivity expectations.
Qualifications:
Applicants must have:
- At least five (5) years of substantial civil litigation and courtroom experience;
- Admission to The Florida Bar and good standing;
- Meaningful experience handling contested litigation in Florida state and federal courts;
- Strong legal research and analytical skills;
- Excellent written advocacy and substantive pleading-drafting ability;
- Experience managing discovery and preparing cases for evidentiary hearings and trial;
- Ability to independently manage cases and deadlines without excessive supervision;
- Strong client-management and communication skills;
- Sound professional judgment and attention to detail;
- Ability to prioritize a significant caseload and move matters toward resolution;
- Competence with modern legal technology and case-management systems; and
- A willingness to learn and effectively use the firm's technology, research, automation, and artificial-intelligence tools.
What we are looking for:
PMLS is not looking for an attorney who simply waits for assignments. We are seeking a litigation attorney who will take ownership of files, clients, deadlines, and strategy.
The ideal candidate is:
- Proactive;
- Confident in making reasoned litigation decisions;
- Organized and deadline- and goal-driven;
- Capable of navigating a matter or case without waiting to be told;
- Very responsive to clients;
- Proficient and comfortable in a technology-driven law practice;
- Efficient without sacrificing quality;
- Able to delegate appropriately while remaining responsible for the case; and
- Focused on achieving practical results for the client.
