Pro Bono Manager

Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida, Inc. (CCLA) established in 2003 is a Legal Services Corporation (LSC) funded, non-profit organization. CCLA provides free civil legal services to low-income and otherwise eligible residents of Broward County and is located in Plantation, Florida, a suburb of Fort Lauderdale. Our mission is to provide equal justice to underserved communities through quality and innovative free civil legal aid. CCLA provides legal advocacy for marginalized individuals in our community, helping thousands of economically disadvantaged residents to gain greater access to justice and much-needed legal assistance to remove barriers to a healthy and stable life. 

CCLA provides legal assistance in the areas of Family Law & Victims of Crime, Economic Advocacy & Community Health (public benefits), and Senior Law for people age 60 and older. At CCLA, we believe all individuals are entitled to quality civil legal representation and equal access to justice, regardless of their income. CCLA’s vision is a community where everyone has the legal resources to thrive.

CCLA is currently seeking a hardworking, compassionate Pro Bono Manager to be responsible for building the foundation for CCLA’s new in-house private attorney involvement (PAI) and volunteer program, as well as sustaining our current regional, collaborative pro bono programs, Collier and Broward Lawyers Care. Responsible for recruiting, training, supporting, and supervising volunteer attorneys and law student interns to handle clinics and individual cases across the various substantive areas of law in our priority areas. Fosters relationships with large law firms, law schools, the judiciary, and other legal organizations to develop long-term, systematic partnerships that enhance CCLA’s ability to serve clients. Also Facilitates CCLA’s Fridays with Friends, Legal Learning, and Legal Clinics on Facebook Live and YouTube.

Position Duties

Recruitment and Engagement:

• Identify and recruit volunteer attorneys from a diverse array of legal backgrounds to handle individual cases.
• Develop and maintain relationships with large law firms, law schools, corporations, and other legal entities to encourage their participation in pro bono work.
• Engage with law firms and law schools to establish long-term partnerships, such as “adopting” specific projects and committing to a steady stream of cases.
• Recruit and mentor law student interns/externs and recent graduates for CCLA’s units.
• Respond to inquiries for volunteer participation, requests for internships/externships, requests from applicants seeking information, and volunteer and community partner questions.
• Engage volunteers for CCLA’s Fridays with Friends, Legal Learning, and Legal Clinics

Program Development and Oversight:

• Build the foundation for CCLA’s new in-house PAI and volunteer program.
• Oversee our subgrantee pro bono programs, Collier Lawyers Care and Broward Lawyers Care, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations and guidance.
• Review quarterly programmatic and statistical reports submitted from Collier Lawyers Care and Broward Lawyers Care and monitor case, recruitment, and outreach activities. Work with their coordinators and supervisor to address any issues.
• Conduct outreach and speak at community events on behalf of CCLA with input from Outreach Manager
• Work with law firms, law schools, attorneys, and volunteers to develop and sustain systematic relationships with specific projects within CCLA.
• Collaborate with law firms, law schools, and volunteer attorneys on larger impact litigation cases and co-counseling opportunities.
• Create and implement strategies to increase the participation of volunteer attorneys across the region.
• With volunteers, conduct in-person legal clinics to provide legal services (limited scope representation or full-service representation) for eligible clients.
• Develop, coordinate, and present in-person and online substantive legal trainings with CCLA staff and broader legal community.
• Create materials and develop substantive legal guides and resources for volunteers to use, and refer to, in their delivery of legal services.
• Implement internal systems, procedures, and processes related to volunteers and pro bono recruitment, case tracking, evaluation, and reporting.
• Compile client and program success stories periodically for use in communications and grants.

Support and Mentorship:

• Provide ongoing support, mentorship, and guidance to law student interns and volunteer attorneys, especially those handling cases in areas of law with which they may have limited experience.
• Coordinate and deliver training sessions, workshops, and create resources to ensure volunteers are well-prepared and confident in their roles.
• Act as a resource for volunteers, answering questions, providing legal and procedural guidance, and offering feedback on case strategy and management.
• Assists CCLA units with seeking attorneys’ fees as allowable.
• Oversee interviewing, on campus visits, and onboarding and offboarding of law student interns/externs, recent law school graduate interns, and other volunteers.
• Supervise interns and externs with the units’ attorneys.

Partnership Development:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with law schools, law firms, and other potential partners to secure their commitment to supporting our organization’s mission through pro bono work.
• Explore opportunities for attorney volunteers and firms to co-counsel on larger, more complex cases that align with our priorities and strategic goals.
• Maintain partnerships within CCLA and its units, attend unit meetings to identify emerging issues and opportunity for projects. 
• Join and participate with statewide PAI and pro bono groups like the Florida Pro Bono Coordinators Association (FPBCA).
• Participate in conferences and meetings virtually and in-person.

Program Management:

• Track and report on pro bono activities, including the number of cases opened and closed, number of attorneys recruited, volunteer hours contributed, legal clinics conducted, legal information sessions held, and outcomes achieved.
• Monitor status of cases.
• Work closely with CCLA leadership to align pro bono efforts with overall strategic objectives.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant funder regulations, best practices, professional responsibility, and legal and ethical standards in the management of pro bono cases.
• Ensure program deliverables are met.
• Assist with any applicable grant applications.
• Create and submit an annual PAI workplan to funder and Executive Director.
• Attends Management meetings and provides pro bono updates, input for identifying funding sources, emerging issues, new or expanding projects, and new opportunities. 

1. Maintain contemporaneous timekeeping in case management system (LegalServer).
2. Develop policies and procedures in compliance with grants and FL Bar requirements and evaluate regularly.
3. Work with the Director of Development, Outreach Manager, and Director of Programs & Compliance to develop media and/or social media strategies to advance pro bono projects and initiatives with law schools, law students, attorneys, volunteers, and other pro bono partners.
4. Performs all other duties as assigned by Executive Director, Director of Development, Chief Financial Officer, Director of Operations, or Director of Programs & Compliance.

Position Requirements

1. Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
2. Must be an attorney admitted to practice law in Florida and in good standing with The Florida Bar. No prior action and/or disciplinary measure taken by the Florida Bar preferred.
3. Minimum of 3-5 years of legal experience, preferably in public interest law, pro bono coordination, or in CCLA practice areas.
4. Demonstrated experience in recruiting, managing, and mentoring attorneys, particularly in a pro bono or volunteer capacity, and experience with project management, data collection and assessment, training, and volunteer program development.
5. Strong understanding of various substantive areas of law relevant to CCLA’s work.
6. Experience working with large law firms and coordinating complex litigation is highly desirable.
7. Reliable transportation as travel will be necessary, mainly local travel (mileage reimbursed), but may require non-local travel for events, conferences, meetings, and trainings. 
8. Due to funder requirements, all candidates must pass a background check before employment begins. 

Skills & Standards of Performance:

• Effective communication (oral and written).
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills with an ability to maintain positive relations effectively with diverse populations at all levels. Ability to deal professionally, courteously, and efficiently with people.
• Knowledge of LSC regulations and best practices preferred.
• Ability to plan, direct, coordinate activities, and work with voluntary bar associations, law schools, law firms, and other organizations.
• Client-centered approach to delivery of legal services. Solution-focused, adaptable, and flexible. Dependable and punctual.
• Ability to think strategically, balance short and long-term objectives, and to lead collaboratively with others.
• Strong organizational and project management abilities.
• Ability to efficiently work independently and as part of a team.
• Passionate about serving vulnerable populations and an enthusiasm for public interest law and a commitment to access to justice.
• Ability to work on various projects and prioritize appropriately.
• Ability to travel offsite and work beyond the minimum 7-hour workday, including occasional evening and weekends as required to complete professional obligations and/or attend events, conferences, meetings, and trainings.
• Ability to lead and motivate, experience leading volunteers.
• Strong technology skills with case management systems (preferably LegalServer knowledge), reporting, timekeeping, VoIP, Zoom video conferencing, Facebook Live, YouTube, Canva, social media, and Microsoft Office Suite.

Here at CCLA we offer our employees an outstanding and generous benefits package, which includes medical, vision, dental (100% employer paid for individual coverage), life, short-term, long-term disability insurance (100% employer paid coverage), supplemental insurance, and a 403(b) plan (tax-sheltered annuity plan) with an employer contribution.

CCLA covers attorney’s Florida bar dues, Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits, and attorneys have the opportunity to apply for student loan payment assistance.

Additionally, CCLA offers substantial discounts on gym memberships, parks, travel, pet insurance, and more, contributing to our employees' overall well-being.

CCLA is very proud of our work-life balance by giving our employees a substantial paid time off package which includes, vacation, sick leave and over 12 holidays a year. At CCLA we offer our employees (non-probationary) a more flexible work schedule by temporarily working a hybrid schedule 2 days in the office and 3 days working remotely. 

At CCLA, we foster a positive and supportive work environment where we work hard to provide exceptional service to our community. The work is both challenging and rewarding, and we take pride in the commitment and dedication of our team.

For more information about CCLA, please visit our website at www.coasttocoastlegalaid.org.

CCLA is proud of our diversity. CCLA is an equal opportunity employer and provider.