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 and Orlando Sentinel's 2022 Best Workplaces Honoree, 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 is currently searching for a service-minded, mission-driven individual to fill the following position:

Older Adult Programs Staff Attorney (Ocala, Inverness, Tavares, Putnam, or Kissimmee)

Overview:

Reports to Senior Managing Attorney of Older Adult Programs or designee. Provides comprehensive legal services to eligible clients in civil and other cases 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.

Description: Community Legal Services (CLS) is seeking a committed Staff Attorney to provide high quality legal services by representing clients in central Florida with civil legal issues. This position is responsible for representing individuals who are low income and/or vulnerable populations, including older adults and caregivers, on a broad range of elder law matters. In addition, this position will assist older adults and caregivers with addressing civil legal barriers impacting their ability to age in place such as elder abuse, financial exploitation, consumer scams, housing, residential placement, age discrimination, advance health care/long-term care/estate planning, guardianship, income instability, and family law matters. Also, community education, senior outreach, and developing partnerships with community-based organizations to better serve our aging population.

Responsibilities:

Regular client interaction includes completing intakes, conducting interviews, and providing legal assistance such as brief advice, limited services, and full representation.
Research and interpret laws, rulings, and regulations applicable to cases assigned as well as prepare and review legal writings for the court or administrative agencies.
Representing and advising clients in a variety of civil law matters affecting clients' independence, including, but not limited to elder abuse, financial exploitation, public benefits, long-term care benefits, landlord/tenant issues, foreclosure prevention, homestead issues, debt collection, consumer scams, guardianship, age discrimination, estate planning, custody by extended family members, and dissolution of marriage.
Developing and maintaining a referral process between community partners and CLS.
Identifying legal needs of older adults and caregivers, and developing legal educational programs to address those needs.
Conducting training and outreach with the community organization's managers, staff, subagencies, and volunteers and supporting the firm's overall mission.
Collaborating with aging and caregiver service providers and organizations including areas on aging agencies, county senior services divisions, aging networks, domestic abuse, law enforcement, public schools, and faith-based organizations.
Cultivating and coordinating effective working relationships with professionals and faith or community-based organizations, to assure CLS's positive impact on its clients served and create awareness.
Provide legal assistance to older adults and caregivers ranging from pro se assistance to full representation.
Drafting pro se pleadings, counseling pro se litigants through in the court process, representing clients in court or before administrative agencies, conducting discovery, attending mediation, negotiating disputes, and drafting settlement agreements.
Participate in outreach events and provide community education.
Working a full-time position with the ability to work both scheduled and flexible work hours, including some evenings/weekends, based on business needs to perform duties, attend meetings and/or other functions throughout the counties served by CLS.
Identify and participate in impact advocacy that impacts older adults and caregivers.
Supervise paralegals and other subordinates in all aspects of their work.
All other duties as assigned to further the overall mission of CLS.

Requirements:
Qualifications:

Ability to advocate consistently and zealously for clients in the regions we serve while managing a full caseload.
Must be a self-starter, with the ability to issue spot and exercise sound independent legal judgment, work as part of a team, and bring oneself up to speed quickly on any necessary or lacking knowledge base.
Ability to communicate clearly and persuasively both in writing and orally.
Must possess a high capacity to prioritize, manage simultaneous tasks, and meet strict deadlines within a rapid-paced environment.
Demonstrate a professional commitment to improving CLS's presence in the regions we serve.
Possess strong interpersonal skills, and superior organizational skills, with the ability to engage in a diverse constituency.
Demonstrate experience using technology-based resources to track and manage time and caseload.
Demonstrate a commitment to promoting the mission, vision, and values of CLS.
Demonstrated the ability to work in a rapid-paced environment.
Demonstrate the ability to both integrate and work well independently and in a team environment.
Must possess a commitment to working with older adults and care givers with empathy and respect during challenging life events.
Strong desire to expand knowledge base and grow within the firm.
Unwavering dedication to high-quality legal programs, fiscal strength, and organizational integrity.

Background and Experience

Admitted to practice law in Florida and in good standing with The Florida Bar.
Minimum of two (2) years of experience working with low-income and/or vulnerable clients and communities on civil legal matters preferred.
Significant legal experience in elder law preferred.
Significant experience in litigation before courts and/or administrative agencies, preferred.
Must have a demonstrable commitment to understanding and addressing issues of low-income constituents, including older adults and/or caregivers.
Strong communication skills, writing skills, and work ethics are required.
Must maintain professional and legal knowledge through reading and continuing education.
Must be bondable.
Must be able to attend meetings and/or other functions at various locations throughout service area.
Must be computer literate using Microsoft Office Suite.
Valid Florida automobile license, use of own auto, and proof of insurance necessary.
Must be able to travel to the offices within 12 county service areas and sometimes outside of service area.

Physical Requirements