Attorney Victims of Crime-RISE

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 Attorney to work in our Victims of Crime, Rights in Systems Enforced (RISE) Unit to provide direct legal representation to victims of intimate partner violence, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking violence, sexual violence, and victims age 60 and older in criminal court to assert and seek enforcement of their civil rights in criminal cases, including appellate proceedings. In addition, the Attorney provides direct legal representation to victims of intimate partner violence, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking violence and sexual violence for their civil Injunction for Protection proceedings.

Position Duties:

• Provides direct legal representation to victims of intimate partner violence, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking violence, sexual violence, and victims age 60 and older.
• Holistic services that include legal advice and counsel, representation to victims of intimate partner violence, stalking, dating, sexual assault, and elder abuse for enforcement of civil rights and injunctions for protection.
• Responsible for all phases of casework including, but not limited to: interviewing clients and witnesses, discovery, investigations, negotiations, legal research, accompaniment to law enforcement and prosecutor interviews, motion practice, depositions, hearings, and trials. Advises clients regarding domestic violence, elder abuse, and intimate partner issues and their legal rights.
• Prepares for court hearings and mediations by analyzing probable outcome of cases, using knowledge of legal precedent, strategize and prepare argument, direct examination, cross examination, client and witness testimony and evidence, and presentation of cases.
• Drafting of legal documents and pleadings such as petitions, affidavits, notices, and relevant motions.
• Searches for and examines public and legal records to support cases.
• Reviews and evaluates applications for case acceptance.
• Responsible for supervising and Paralegals, Interns and/or Volunteers as assigned. 
• Communicates case progress, status, issues and outcomes to supervising attorney and/or Director.
• Oversees status of cases through case management system.
• Conducts outreach presentations at cultural and age specific community agencies and will actively participate in coordinated community response coalitions which collaborate on domestic and intimate partner violence services and victims’ rights. Participates in domestic violence, intimate partner violence, elder abuse services and victim rights coalitions and groups.
• Complies with all program requirements, including, but not limited to: efficient case management, contemporaneous note taking and time keeping, completion of timely reports, and attending all mandated meetings and trainings. 
• Attends meetings and completes trainings as needed.
• Performs other duties as requested by Family Unit Supervisor and/or Director or as required by grant(s).

Position Requirements:

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school. Florida bar membership in good standing. 
• Two (2) years of family law litigation experience preferred. 
• Bilingual Spanish or Creole preferred. 
• Skilled regarding the applicable laws and dynamics of intimate partner violence. 
• Technology skills on platforms such as, Microsoft Office 365 and Teams, Zoom, and Adobe PDF.
• Effective communication skills (verbal and written).
• Attention to detail, interpersonal skills, resourcefulness, organization and multi-tasking skills.
• Demonstrated capacity to exhibit appropriate sensitivity to and trauma-informed approach for applicants and clients.
• Due to funder requirements, all candidates must pass a background check before employment begins. 

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.