Contract Attorney - Disaster Recovery

Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc. provides free legal assistance to low-income clients in 14 counties and to migrant farm workers throughout the State of Florida. The purpose of this position is to provide civil legal assistance to indigent persons affected by the disasters specified and approved by the program policies and priorities on such matters as individual rights, housing, public benefits, elder law, family law, consumer rights, education, and employment law. 

FRLS Disaster Recovery Legal Services Unit will provide no-cost legal community outreach and comprehensive legal services to help low-income individuals and household needs during their disaster recovery. Legal services to be provided include, but are not limited to foreclosures, bankruptcies, flood insurance proof of loss preparation and FEMA Flood Directorate Appeals, FEMA recoupment defense, applications for disaster tax relief, civil and disability rights cases, legal counsel for community-based organizations on rebuilding plans, litigation to redress systemic disaster response problems. landlord/tenant Issues concerning repair issues, non-repair, mold concealment, etc., disputes regarding home elevation certificates and flood plain zoning, disputes regarding significant damage determination against homeowners. FRLS will take a holistic approach and offer all legal aid services that are available to individual household needs.

The Attorney will provide legal services to hurricane recovery clients and guide and advise paralegals who are involved in the disaster recovery cases. The employee in this Attorney position will be able to handle cases and issues with little oversight and be able to creatively and independently problem solve. The Attorney will represent clients in legal proceedings, draw up legal documents and advise clients on legal transactions. The Attorney will be responsible for all aspects of the cases assigned to them, in court. This includes client preparation, legal file documentation, pre-trial preparation, court appearances, motion practice, depositions, mediations, negotiations, and trial practice. In general terms, the Attorney should be knowledgeable, confident, organized, disciplined, dedicated, and focused to ensure client work is handled in a competent manner. 

The Attorney for Disaster Recovery is under the supervision of the Managing Attorney and the Disaster Project Manager.

Duties

1.  Interviews, certifies eligibility and identifies the legal problems of FRLS clients within a specific area of law and provides clients with appropriate legal assistance in the form of advice, referrals, or actual representation.
2.  Participates in outreach.
3.  Represents clients in court and before administrative agencies, including investigation, witness preparation, pre and post hearing written arguments, conduct of the hearing and related activities.
4.  Provides documentation, statistical information and other records as required by the Managing Attorney, Director of Litigation, Deputy Director or Executive Director.
5.  Participates in case acceptance meetings.
6.  Participates in training to keep up CLEs as may be provided by the program.
7. Adheres to office hours, exhibits a strong work ethic and excellent time management skills, communicates and treats clients and staff with courtesy and respect; provides constructive feedback to other advocates (paralegals) on cases discussed.
8.  Serves as a role model to support staff by promoting the values of hard work, high quality advocacy and treating others with courtesy and respect.
9.  Promotes accessibility of the local office(s) to clients, including rural clients, non-English speaking clients and clients with disabilities.
10.  Promotes good relations with public, including client groups, service providers, press, and private bar, attending/speaking at local meetings as appropriate and approved by the Managing Attorney, Deputy Director and/or Executive Director.
11. Provides timely data upon request for grant applications, fundraising, public relations and other program needs.
12. Develops and maintains familiarity with FRLS policies, as well as requirements of LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION, and other funders, and adheres to those policies and requirements.
13. Maintains accurate follow-up system to review cases when needed.
14. Performs other duties as assigned.

1. Juris Doctorate from an ABA accredited law school.
2. Barred in Florida.
3. Knowledge of State and Federal court procedures preferred.
4. Some knowledge of the legal system, commitment to the mission of FRLS and compassion for the clients.
5. Ability to forge positive relationships with prospects and colleagues.
6. Good organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
7. Ability to work collaboratively, yet independently.
8. Must be able to effectively and efficiently maximize existing resources.
9. Working knowledge of Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint). Knowledge of CMS a plus.
10. Must be able to effectively work in high-pressure situations which involve deadlines.
11. Bilingual English and Spanish or Haitian Creole preferred but not required.

Working Conditions:

Position operates in a professional office environment.

Physical Requirements:

Must be willing to travel.

EEOC Statement:

Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc., does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other characteristic protected by federal, state of local law.