Housing Staff Attorney

Legal Access for All; Sanford (FL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a mission-driven organization dedicated to providing legal services to vulnerable populations in Central Florida. As a Housing Staff Attorney, you will play a vital role in ensuring equal access to justice while engaging with the community and developing educational programs. This position offers a supportive work environment with excellent benefits, including generous paid time off and opportunities for professional growth. If you are passionate about making a difference and possess the necessary legal expertise, this is an exciting opportunity to advance your career in a fulfilling role.

Benefits

15 paid holidays

24 days of paid time off

100% dental benefits

Life insurance

Long/short-term disability

Student loan reimbursement

Tuition reimbursement

403B match after 1 year

Pet insurance

Wellness committee events

Qualifications

• Must be a member in good standing of The Florida Bar.
• Demonstrate commitment to low-income and vulnerable populations.

Responsibilities

• Determine client eligibility for legal services based on program policies.
• Attend hearings, trials, and court proceedings on behalf of clients.
• Supervise paralegals and legal assistants.

Skills

Legal Research

Communication Skills

Attention to Detail

Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Client Management

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Tools

Lexis

Legal Server

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Adobe PDF

Job description

Be a part of an organization making a difference in the Central Florida community!

As an Orlando Business Journal’s 2021 Best Places to Work Honoree, 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, especially 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 by the company)
• 100% coverage with dental benefits, life insurance, and long/short-term disability
• 100% 403B match after 1 year of employment (5%)
• CLS pays bar dues and CLE credits
• Student loan reimbursement for attorneys
• Tuition reimbursement
• Ability to apply for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Excellent work-life balance
• Opportunities for upward mobility into leadership roles
• Pet insurance
• Wellness committee dedicated to employee morale, with events such as retreats, activities, and challenges

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

Housing Staff Attorney (Sanford or Spring Hill)

Overview

Community Legal Services is looking for a Staff Attorney specializing in Housing Law. The role involves providing legal services to eligible clients in civil cases, aligning with our mission, ABA standards, and professional conduct rules.

Responsibilities

1. Determine client eligibility for legal services based on program policies.
2. Attend hearings, trials, mediations, and court proceedings on behalf of clients.
3. Identify legal needs in the low-income community and develop educational programs.
4. Supervise paralegals, legal assistants, and other staff.
5. Build relationships with bar associations, legislators, and community organizations for resource development.
6. Recruit and involve private attorneys in pro bono programs.
7. Demonstrate ability to handle complex litigation, including federal cases and appellate work.
8. Conduct advanced legal research using databases like Lexis and Legal Server.
9. Participate in impact advocacy after two years of practice.
10. Work full-time with flexible hours, including evenings and weekends as needed.

Requirements

1. Commitment

1. Align with CLS’s mission, vision, and values.
2. Maintain high-quality legal standards and organizational integrity.

2. Background and Experience

1. Must be a member in good standing of The Florida Bar; bilingual in English/Spanish preferred.
2. Demonstrate commitment to low-income and vulnerable populations.
3. Engage in ongoing professional development.
4. Attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities.
5. Strong communication skills.
6. Bondable and have internet access, proficient in Word, Excel, and Adobe PDF.
7. Valid Florida driver’s license, own vehicle, and proof of insurance.

Physical Requirements

1. Prolonged sitting and working on a computer.
2. Ability to lift up to 25 pounds.

Salary: $65,000 - $85,000

Equal Opportunity Statement

CLS values diversity and promotes an inclusive culture. We do not discriminate based on age, race, gender, religion, or other protected characteristics.

The statements in this job description are general guidelines and do not encompass all duties. Additional responsibilities may be assigned as needed.