Website Gulfcoast Legal Services
POSITION SUMMARY:
This is a professional Staff Attorney position, to be placed in our Housing unit, which provides a full range of high quality legal services to individual clients and to client groups.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Interviews and counsels clients in the office, at outreach sites, and elsewhere, if necessary.
Researches factual and legal problems and is responsible for the development and implementation
of case strategies.
Represents clients in litigation, administrative advocacy and other advocacy forums including: state or federal court proceedings or before administrative agencies or before legislative bodies, as necessary.
Provides counselling, advice, other brief services and referrals, negotiates and pursues all avenues of solutions, including mediation and litigation, with opposing parties.
Keeps abreast of new areas of law, especially as they affect the poor, with emphasis on identifying developing and implementing advocacy strategies to address systemic legal problems confronting low-income clients as well as developing new substantive and procedural skills.
Assists and participates in community education and client outreach.
Reviews relevant legislative proposals, giving attention to the potential legal impact upon legal services clients and other poor people.
Identifies systemic problems affecting low-income clients and advocates for solutions through negotiation and litigation in the community and/or state or federal courts.
9. Establishes and protects significant rights of clients through impact litigation.
10. Identifies and educates community groups about GLS services or legal education topics.
11. Assists, as a resource, private attorneys who have volunteered services to the program’s clients.
12. Participates in trainings, task force, workgroup and office meetings to develop own skills and expertise and to share information with other staff.
13. Performs other duties as assigned by GLS.
BASIC STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE:
1. Satisfactory attendance and punctuality.
2. Compliance with all Gulfcoast Legal Services policies and procedures.
3. Familiarity with and adherence to the organization’s mission.
4. Satisfactory completion of duties and responsibilities of the position as required by management and supervisors
5. Performs related work as required and fills in for positions above and below in the event of staffing shortages.
SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
Knowledge of basic office procedures, including Legal Server data entry, reporting, and use of basic office equipment and software.
Strong communication skills, both oral and written required.
Ability to deal professionally, courteously and efficiently with people and clients in crisis.
Ability to work independently and be detail-oriented.
Ability to maintain client confidentiality.
Knowledge of and or experience in related field of law.
Willingness to learn new reporting processes, procedures, document collection, and Legal Server coding required on variety of grant awards.
Ability to organize, plan, prioritize, meet deadlines, and work under pressure.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
A commitment to the provision of high-quality legal services to the poor.
Juris Doctorate degree from an American Bar Association accredited law school.
Florida Bar membership and eligibility to practice law in the State of Florida.
No action and/or disciplinary measure taken by the Florida Bar preferred.
Prior experience as an attorney a plus, with preference for prior legal aid experience.
Law school clinical experience and/or fellowship will be considered.
If using a vehicle to drive to hearings, trainings or to do other business-related travel, the attorney must possess a valid Florida driver’s license and auto insurance.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
1. Ability to work on various projects with different priorities.
Ability to work extended hours when required.
Ability to lift and/or carry office supplies, equipment, files, etc. up to 10 lbs.
Valid Florida driver’s license and ability to circulate outreach materials in the community and to local, community partner agencies.