Attorney-Public Benefits

Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida; Fort Lauderdale (FL); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental coverage

Disability insurance

403(b) retirement plan

Student loan assistance

Job summary

Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida, Inc. (CCLA) seeks two dedicated attorneys for its Public Benefits Unit to advocate for low-income individuals across SSDI/SSI, reemployment, SNAP/TANF, and healthcare denials.

The role requires a JD and Florida Bar admission, with bilingual English/Spanish preferred, and a passion for expanding access to justice. Candidates will handle casework from client interviews through hearings, supervise interns, and collaborate with a team of attorneys to serve

Qualifications

• JD and Florida Bar admission in good standing.
• Bilingual English/Spanish (spoken and written) preferred.
• Public benefits experience a plus.
• Strong organizational and multitasking abilities.
• Professional demeanor and client-oriented focus.

Responsibilities

• Interview clients and witnesses; handle discovery, negotiations, and hearings.
• Supervise interns and paralegals; maintain case notes and timekeeping.
• Represent clients in SSDI/SSI, reemployment, SNAP/TANF, and healthcare denials.
• Conduct outreach and provide trainings; comply with grant requirements.
• Collaborate with attorneys and support staff to manage a diverse caseload.

Skills

Legal research

Client interviewing

Case management

Bilingual English/Spanish

Communication skills

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Description: 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 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 provide 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 two (2) dedicated, compassionate, and motivated Attorneys to join our Public Benefits Unit on a full-time basis.

In this role, you will advocate for low-income individuals and families by providing high-quality legal representation and advice on a wide range of public benefits matters. The ideal candidate is passionate about expanding access to justice and helping vulnerable members of our community secure the benefits and services to which they are entitled.

Position Duties

• Responsible for substantial compliance with the CCLA Program Priority Plan within their areas of specialization and consonant with the Legal Services Corporation guidelines.
• In carrying out legal work, responsible for all phases of case work, interviewing clients and witnesses, discovery, investigations, negotiations, legal research, hearings and appeals.
• Responsible for supervising legal interns and paralegals who have been assigned to cases within their practice areas.
• Attends unit meetings, complies with all program and unit forms and directives, completes monthly case reports, report to the unit on development in their area of expertise and train the paralegals and legal interns assigned to work in their areas.
• Conducts client interviews to gather information, investigates fact situations, gathers and evaluates evidence, witnesses, drafts letters, emails, memoranda, pleadings, briefs, assists with applications and appeals, completes forms, reviews agency notices, reviews medical records or other client documents, and performs legal research.
• Advises and represents clients in SSDI/SSI cases, including representing clients at hearings before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), in Appeals Council appeals, and potentially in Federal Court as applicable.
• Advises and represents clients in reemployment assistance cases, including representing clients at administrative hearings before referees and in appeals to the RAAC.
• Advises and represents clients in SNAP/TANF cases, including representing clients in administrative hearings with DCF.
• Advise and represent clients in healthcare related cases, including Medicaid, Medicare, Marketplace and other denials of healthcare or services.
• Frequent communication with clients and outside agencies; in person, on the phone, and via email.
• Working closely, as part of a team with numerous attorneys and paralegals.
• Returns client’s calls/emails in a timely manner, maintain records, case notes, and daily timekeeping in CCLAs case management system.
• Performs community outreach events in person and/or virtually, as well as, on social media and conduct educational training for staff, clients, and community providers, in accordance with CCLA’s outreach policy, and as needed.
• Keeps track of and meets deadlines and hearing dates.
• Compliant with program and grant requirements.
• Performs all other duties as assigned and/or requested by Management, Supervisors, or as required by grant(s).

Position Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) and admission to the Florida Bar in good standing.
• Bilingual English/Spanish or English/Haitian Creole (spoken and written) preferred.
• Prior public benefit experience, particularly with SSDI/SSI or reemployment assistance is a plus.
• Capable of acting with substantial degree of independence and responsibility in this professional capacity.
• Experience or demonstrated interest in working with people with disabilities and/or lower socioeconomic status preferred.
• Flexible, effective, written and oral communication skills. Ability to multitask, organize, detail-oriented, prioritize, and manage a diverse caseload. Must have the ability to work efficiently and independently with supervision.
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Professional demeanor and client-oriented focus.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Due to funder requirements, all applicants must pass a background check before employment begins. See: Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse Education and Awareness website: https://info.flclearinghouse.com

Why Join Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida?

At CCLA, we value our employees and offer a competitive benefits package designed to support your health, financial well-being, and work-life balance.

Benefits Include

• Medical, vision, and 100% employer-paid individual dental coverage.
• 100% employer-paid life, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance.
• Supplemental insurance options.
• 403(b) retirement plan with 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 also offers generous paid time off, more than 12 paid holidays annually, employee discounts, and a hybrid work schedule (two in-office days and three remote days) for eligible employees following the successful completion of the probationary period.

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.

Join a mission-driven organization where your work makes a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.

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

CCLA is an equal opportunity employer and provider.