Description:

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:

Family Law Staff Attorney
Overview:
Reports to the Supervising Attorney of the Family Unit's Family Team, or designee. This Staff Attorney position will provide legal services to clients, from advice and pro se assistance to full representation, in the areas of family law, including dissolution of marriage, paternity, and any other areas designated by CLS Leadership as a priority area. This position expands our services beyond domestic violence related cases in the family unit. Staff attorneys shall provide legal services to eligible family law clients in accordance with the program's mission and principles of advocacy, other program guidelines, the ABA Standards for Providers of Civil Legal Services, and the Florida Rules of Professional Conduct. The role requires adherence to program policies, the ABA Standards for Providers of Civil Legal Services, and compliance with the Rules Regulating the Florida Bar.

Responsibilities:

Determine client eligibility for legal services in accordance with program policies and procedures.
Provide high quality legal services to eligible clients and client groups including identification of legal problems, investigation, advice, negotiation, preparation of pleadings and discovery, and representation before courts.
Competently engage in litigation of family matters with advanced advocacy skills within the entire CLS twelve-county service area.
Address a broad spectrum of family law matters, including but not limited to child custody, child support, divorce, spousal support, property division, adoption, and issues related to paternity and parenting plans.
Travel when needed to represent clients as well as to attend CLS authorized training, events, and meetings.
Perform advanced legal research including use of computer-based databases, e.g., Westlaw and computerized practice software such as Florida Family Law Software, etc.
Manage and maintain an active caseload at a volume deemed appropriate by unit leadership, ensuring timely progress on cases while adhering to organizational standards and legal requirements.
Represent CLS' to other legal aid organizations, to government officials, community partners, and the public.
Develop and maintain excellent working relationships with bar associations (including regularly attending bar meetings), bar leaders, legislators and other political officials and other community and non-profit organizations to assist in resource development.
Recruits and provides services for private attorney involvement in CLS's pro bono programs (which includes co-counseling).
Participate in outreach events and provide community education.
Provide presentations to the public about the work of CLS.
Respectfully and professionally work and collaborate with paralegals, legal assistants, family unit attorneys, supervising attorney, managing attorney, and other CLS staff, management, and leadership.
Develop a collaborative relationship with the Family Law Unit supporting staff, and work with and train your assigned paralegal to provide substantive assistance through drafting pleadings, conducting research, managing discovery requests, and more.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements:
Commitment

Demonstrating commitment to promoting the mission, vision, and values of CLS.
Demonstrating commitment to ensuring appropriate recordkeeping, documentation, and adherence to federal rules and regulations that apply to LSC-funded programs, as they apply to the position.
Unwavering dedication to high-quality legal programs, fiscal strength, and organizational integrity.

Background and Experience

Must be a member in good standing of The Florida Bar.
Family Law experience is preferred.
Must have a demonstrable commitment to understanding and addressing issues of low-income constituents.
Ability to adapt quickly to job requirements and possess the ability to positively adapt to change.
Must maintain professional and legal knowledge through reading and continuing education.
Must be bondable.
Must be computer literate using Microsoft Office Suite, advanced legal research including use of computer-based databases, e.g., Westlaw, Legal Server.
Florida automobile license, use of own auto, and proof of insurance necessary to travel to the offices within and occasionally, outside of, our 12-county service area.

Physical Requirements