Family Law Paralegal

Community Legal Services - Central Florida; Ocala (FL); On-site; USD 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

15 paid holidays

24 days PTO

Excellent benefits

Dental, life, and disability coverage

403B match up to 5%

Bar dues & CLE credits

Student loan reimbursement

Tuition reimbursement

PSLF eligibility

Wellness committee & retreats

Job summary

Community Legal Services - Central Florida seeks a service-minded Family Law Paralegal in Ocala to support civil family-law matters under attorney supervision. The role involves client intake, case development, drafting pleadings, scheduling, and file management to ensure accurate, timely legal work for eligible clients.

Ideal candidates will have Florida FRP in good standing, 2+ years in a law firm, and bilingual English/Spanish skills.

Qualifications

• Legal Studies education and/or Paralegal certification required.
• Must be Florida Registered Paralegal (FRP) in good standing.
• Experience with family law.
• 2+ years in a law firm; support of litigation; serving low income/vulnerable clients a plus.
• Florida Notary a plus.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
• Excellent phone and in-person customer service; superior organization and writing skills.
• Able to manage workload independently in fast-paced legal environment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Valid Florida license, own auto, proof of insurance for 12-county service area.
• Ability to travel; weekends/evenings possible.

Responsibilities

• Support attorneys with family law litigation.
• Complete client intake and determine eligibility for services.
• Gather information, interview clients and witnesses; develop case reports.
• Draft legal pleadings and documents.
• Schedule court proceedings, depositions and mediations.
• File court documents as directed by attorney.
• Refer clients to additional sources of assistance.
• Maintain accurate electronic case records and calendars.
• Perform legal research using computer databases.
• Stay up-to-date on developments in family law.
• Collaborate with community partners and assist in outreach.
• Participate in fundraising and public relations activities.
• May train staff or interns.
• Join community domestic violence task forces.
• Greet clients and answer phones; route to staff.
• Open mail and provide clerical support.
• May perform duties of other positions as assigned.

Skills

Bilingual English/Spanish

Customer service

Communication skills

Organization

Education

Florida FRP in good standing

Paralegal certification

Legal Studies background

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Be a part of an organization making a difference in the Central Florida community. As an Orlando Business Journal's2021 Best Places to WorkHonoree, Orlando Sentinel's 2022 Best Workplaces Honoree, and a SHRM Mental Health Ally,Community Legal Services (CLS) is a full service civil legal aid law firm that promotes equal access to justice, specifically for the most vulnerable individuals in our society.

CLS offers:

• 15 paid holidays and 24 days of paid time off
• Excellent physical/mental health, vision, and benefits (With 95% of benefits paid for by company)
• 100% Coverage with Dental Benefits, Life Insurance, Long/Short Term Disability
• 100% 403B match up to 5% after 1 year of employment
• CLS pays Bar Dues and CLE Credits
• Student loan reimbursement for Attorneys
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Ability to apply for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Fantastic work-life balance
• Various opportunities for upward mobility into leadership/more advanced roles
• Pet Insurance
• Wellness Committee dedicated to employee morale, with events such as company wide retreats, activities, and challenges!

CLS is currently searching for a service-minded, mission driven individual to fill the following position:

Family Law Paralegal (Ocala)

OVERVIEW

Reports to and receives general direction from Senior Managing Attorney, Supervising Paralegal, Staff Attorney or designee, the paralegal provides paraprofessional legal services to eligible clients in civil cases, under the direct supervision of an attorney, in accordance with the program' mission and principles of advocacy, other program guidelines, the ABA Standards for Providers of Civil Legal Services and the Florida Rules of Professional Conduct.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Support attorneys with family law litigation
2. Completes client intake processes and determines client eligibility for legal services in accordance with program policies and procedures.
3. Gathers information, interviews clients and witnesses; investigates and develops cases; prepares written reports to attorneys detailing the results of the interview/investigation.
4. Drafts legal pleadings and other legal documents.
5. Schedules court proceedings, depositions, and mediations.
6. Files court documents at the direction of and for the assigned attorney.
7. Makes and follows up on referrals of clients to appropriate alternative or additional sources of assistance.
8. Works jointly in partnership with attorney on assigned cases.
9. Maintains accurate, complete, well-organized electronic case/project records, files, and calendars.
10. Performs legal research including use of computer-based databases, e.g., Thomson-Reuters computerized practice software.
11. Keeps abreast of developments in family law.
12. Schedules and participates in outreach with community partners, clients, and community groups to strengthen partnerships.
13. Participates in fundraising activities and public relations, as requested.
14. May participate in the orientation and training of employees and volunteers, including law school interns.
15. Participate in community domestic violence task forces.
16. Greet clients, applicants, and other visitors to the office in a courteous and polite manner.
17. Answers telephones and refers callers to appropriate staff members, other CLS offices, or other agencies, as appropriate
18. Opens and distributes mail and provides other clerical services, as necessary.
19. May perform duties of the work of higher or lower classified positions, as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS

1. Commitment

1. Demonstrating commitment to promoting the mission, vision, and values of CLS.
2. Unwavering dedication to high-quality legal programs, fiscal strength, and organizational integrity.
3. Commitment to continued learning and training.

2. Background and Experience

1. Legal Studies Education and/or Paralegal certification.
2. Must be a Florida Registered Paralegal (FRP) in good standing with the Florida Bar.
3. Experience with family law
4. Law firm experience (2+years), experience in support of litigation and commitment working with low-income and/or vulnerable clients and communities on civil legal matters also a plus.
5. Florida Notary a plus.
6. Bilingual (English Spanish; spoken and written fluency) preferred.
7. Excellent phone and in-person professional customer service ability required, with superior organizational and highly polished communication and writing skills.
8. Must be a self-motivated, professional, and capable of independently managing workload and prioritizing tasks in a fast-paced legal environment with minimal supervision.
9. Microsoft Office Suite proficiency required.
10. Valid Florida license, use of own auto, and proof of insurance necessary to perform duties and attend meetings and/or other functions throughout 12 county service area.
11. Ability to work independently and to travel; possibility of working weekends and evenings

3. Physical Requirements

a. Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

b. Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at times.

STARTING SALARY: $50,000, more with experience.

GENERAL STATEMENT

CLS is an Equal Opportunity Employer: We value a diverse workforce and the promotion of inclusive culture at all levels.

CLS does not discriminate against any employee or qualified applicant for employment from all qualified individuals on the basis of age, race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, marital or familial status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, sex, disability, socio-economic position, religion, political belief, protected genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable Federal or State law.

The statements contained in this job description reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility. It is not an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods or otherwise to balance the workload.