Bi-Lingual Staff Attorney - Senior Advocacy Unit (Full-Time)

Bay Area Legal Services; Lincoln Gardens (FL); On-site; USD 74,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

Bay Area Legal Services is hiring a full-time Staff Attorney for its Senior Advocacy Unit, dedicated to providing legal assistance to seniors in areas affecting low-income individuals. This role involves case management, client representation, collaboration with community organizations, and ensuring compliance with grantor requirements. Candidates must hold a Juris Doctorate, have litigation experience, and demonstrate an understanding of socio-economic issues faced by the elderly.

Benefits

403b retirement plan with 4% match

Medical, Dental, Vision coverage

13 paid holidays and three weeks vacation

Loan forgiveness program eligibility

Qualifications

• 4 years in legal practice
• 1 year of litigation experience
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines

Responsibilities

• Interview clients and provide legal advice and representation
• Prepare legal documents and conduct legal research
• Provide full representation in court proceedings

Skills

Organizational skills

Compassionate understanding of low-income issues

Legal research

Education

Juris Doctorate (JD)

Florida Bar license in good standing

Job description

Bay Area Legal Services (BALS) is seeking to fill a full-time Staff Attorney position on our Senior Advocacy Unit (SAU).

Bay Area Legal Services (BALS) is seeking to fill a full-time Staff Attorney position on our Senior Advocacy Unit (SAU). The SAU provides high quality legal services to seniors (60+) in a variety of areas including home ownership, landlord/tenant, public benefits, and other issues affecting low income and vulnerable senior populations. The position will be supervised by the Team Leader of the Senior Advocacy Unit (SAU). Staff Attorneys will facilitate or directly provide qualified legal services to low income clients to meet their civil legal needs.

Office Location

Ybor City
1302 N 19th Street
Suite 400
Tampa, FL 33605

Illustrative Duties:

• Interview applicants over the telephone and in person to provide eligible seniors with legal advice, brief services, and representation as appropriate. Document all client case information and related time spent in case management system accurately and timely. Ensure compliance with Legal Services Corporation (LSC) or other grantor requirements.
• Communicate with clients to learn about their legal needs and concerns, counsel, advise and refer them to appropriate public agencies or other community resources for additional services. Explain legal options and possible outcomes or risks to their attention.
• Develop and implement strategies to resolve cases favorably. Prepare legal documents such as advance directives and pleadings accurately and in a timely manner. Conduct legal research. Negotiate settlement of cases with opposing attorneys or parties. Prepare necessary correspondence relating to services rendered. Create and maintain relationships with community organizations and funding partners. Attend team meetings and collaborate with other attorneys on case questions.
• Provide full representation to senior clients in Hillsborough counties, including appearances in court proceedings. (Occasional travel to Polk, Highlands, and Hardee counties)
• Community outreach as necessary to increase awareness of free legal services for seniors in the three counties referenced.

MinimumQualifications:

• JurisDoctorate (JD),Florida BarlicensedandingoodstandingwiththeBar.
• 4 years in legal practice
• 1 year litigation experience
• Demonstratedabilitytoworkindependently,organizeandreviewworkofothers.
• Excellentprioritizationskillsandabilitytomeetdeadlines.
• Sympatheticandcompassionateunderstandingofthesocial,economic,andlegalissuesfacedby low-income individuals and the elderly with limited access tosuch services. Ability to relate well and effectively with diverse groups and individuals.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Previousexperiencewithhomeownershippreservationissuesand/orlandlord/tenant
• Previousexperienceinanon-profitlegalservicesorpublicinterestfirm

Compensation:

• Minimum salary $74,350.00/yr. (increases based on relevant experience)
• Bay Area offers a comprehensive benefit package including a 4% match for the 403b retirement plan with immediate vesting as well as Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability coverage and more.
• Bay Area also offers generous time off and work life balance with 13 paid holidays and three (3) weeks’ vacation for the 1st year of employment and a 37.5 hour work week.
• Bay Area attorneys may be eligible for some loan forgiveness programs through the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) and the Florida Bar Foundation (FBF).

This position requires successful completion of a level II background screening based on the required duties and responsibilities.

How to Apply:

• Send Resume and Cover Letter to [e-mail] and state where you learned about this position.

Bay Area Legal Services is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, nationality, sex, or veteran.

Apply for Services

Apply by phone Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., or apply online anytime for non-emergency legal matters. Language interpreters are available to you at no cost.

If you live or have a case in Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Manatee, or Sarasota counties, we may be able to help.

If you live or have a case in Florida, we may be able to help.