Description:
Description:Are you interested in making a difference in your community? Are you passionate about helping others who are in need across different groups? Do you value work life balance? If you answer yes to these questions, Bay Area Legal Services may be the workplace for you!
Bay Area Legal Services is a nonprofit law firm serving the Tampa Bay area for over 50 years. We assist low-income residents, veterans, seniors, children, domestic violence survivors, and many more.
Our Mission: Providing the highest quality legal counsel by:
- Assisting individuals and non-profit groups with limited access to legal services;
- Resolving the legal problems of clients; and
- Preserving the independence, hope and dignity of those we serve.
Our Vision: Creating pathways to justice through high-quality legal services, education and community partnerships.
Our firm includes over 170 dedicated staff members comprised of attorneys, paralegals, and support staff who work to carry out our mission and vision daily.
Position Title: Hybrid Elder Law Staff Attorney (Full-time)
Location: New Port Richey (Hybrid, three days in office & 2 days remote)
Position Description: Bay Area Legal Services (BALS) is seeking to fill a full-time, hybrid, Staff Attorney position to provide counsel and advice and represent Senior clients in civil legal proceedings in traditional areas of elder law, including preservation of public benefits, Social Security matters, Medicare/Medicaid issues, Housing Law, Grandparent Rights, probate, advanced life planning and directives and some consumer issues. The Team Leader of the New Port Richey Office will supervise the position.
Illustrative Duties:
- Advice and assistance by telephone and in person with Seniors seeking services.
- Interview applicants and determine if eligibility requirements for established legal services are satisfied.
- Communicate with clients to learn about their legal needs and concerns, counsel, advise and refer them to appropriate public agencies or other community resources for additional services needed.
- Representation in court including emergency advocacy as needed.
- Explain legal options and bring possible outcomes or risks to their attention.
- Develop and implement strategies to resolve cases favorably. Prepare legal documents, such as pleadings, dispositions, briefs, and when needed, oral arguments, accurately and timely.
- Research relevant legal materials to aid decision-making, gather and analyze evidence, identify implications for cases from legal precedents or other legal information.
- Negotiate settlement of cases with opposing attorneys or parties.
- Prepare necessary correspondence relating to services rendered.
- Document all client case information and related time spent in case management system accurately and timely.
- Ensure compliance with Legal Services Corporation (LSC) or other grantor requirements.
- Create and maintain relationships with local organizations.
- Attend team meetings and collaborate with other attorneys on case questions.
- Travel to client meetings or hearings as necessary.
- Supervise legal assistants and activities of legal personnel (legal interns, paralegals etc.)
- Assist in outreach and community activities. This includes participation in BALS in-house committees and in the outside community/Florida Bar events when asked or needed.
- Stay informed about current legislation, especially assigned elder law specialties.
- Attend Continuing Legal Education (CLE) courses and/or other trainings to maintain knowledge in areas of expertise or gain new knowledge.
- Perform other duties as designated by the Team Leader.
Requirements:
Minimum Qualifications:
- Juris Doctorate (JD), Florida Bar licensed and in good standing with the Bar
- One year of Public Benefits, Housing, and/or Elder Law Experience
- Strong interpersonal skills, and ability to effectively communicate with Senior clients and community outreach.
- Ability to work well as part of a team.
- Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
- Works independently with excellent prioritization skills and ability to meet deadlines.
- Experience with legal database systems to document case assignments.
- Empathetic and compassionate understanding of the social, economic, and legal issues faced by low-income individuals and the elderly with limited access to services.
- Ability to relate well and effectively with diverse groups and individuals.
Desirable Qualifications:
- Prior work or clinical experience in elder law
- Previous experience in a non-profit legal services firm
- Bilingual English/Spanish a plus, but not required