Public Benefits Staff Attorney

Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida; Orlando (FL); On-site; USD 68,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays

PTO days

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Vision coverage

403B match

Bar Dues covered

CLE credits covered

Student loan reimbursement

Tuition reimbursement

PSLF eligibility

Wellness activities

Career advancement

Pet Insurance

Job summary

Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida seeks a Public Benefits Staff Attorney to provide legal services, guidance, and advocacy to individuals seeking essential benefits such as Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, and SNAP. You will collaborate with CLS teams and partners to reduce barriers to stability and housing, while upholding client-centered, trauma-informed advocacy and CLS policies.

The role includes representing clients in administrative hearings and court proceedings, maintaining

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school.
• Active Florida Bar membership in good standing.
• Must be bondable and maintain licensure.
• Experience in public interest law or legal aid preferred.
• Willingness to travel within CLS’s 12-county service area.
• Strong research, writing, negotiation, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice, counsel, and representation concerning public benefits.
• Evaluate eligibility for SSDI, SSI, Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP, TANF/TCA.
• Represent clients in administrative hearings, appeals, and court proceedings.
• Maintain knowledge of federal and Florida benefits laws and policies.
• Develop and deliver legal education programs and training.
• Maintain accurate case records in LegalServer and funding reports.
• Collaborate with CLS teams, partners, and community organizations.
• Supervise paralegals and support staff; ensure deadlines are met.
• Assist with grant reporting and program evaluation.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Advocacy

Client communication

Time management

Case management

Public benefits knowledge

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Florida Bar admission

Tools

LegalServer

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 aSHRMMental 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
• 100% employer-paid health, dental, life, and disability insurance, plus vision coverage at minimal employee cost
• 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)
• 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 fulfill the following position:

Public Benefits Staff Attorney

OVERVIEW

The Public Benefits Staff Attorney provides legal services to eligible individuals and families seeking to obtain, maintain, or restore essential benefits, including Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, and SNAP. The attorney collaborates with CLS teams and community partners to address barriers to economic stability, healthcare, and housing while ensuring client-centered, trauma-informed advocacy, responsible case management, professional development, and compliance with CLS policies, grant requirements, ABA civil legal aid standards, and Florida Bar rules.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Provide legal advice, counsel, and representation concerning SSDI, SSI, Social Security retirement and survivor benefits, Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP, TANF/TCA, and other public benefits within CLS advocacy priorities.
2. Evaluate client eligibility for legal services and identify legal issues affecting access to or continuation of public benefits.
3. Represent clients in administrative proceedings, including applications, reconsiderations, fair hearings, appeals, overpayments, and waiver proceedings; prepare necessary pleadings, briefs, and supporting documents.
4. Represent clients in state and federal court proceedings, including judicial review of administrative decisions, and pursue expedited relief or benefit preservation when appropriate.
5. Maintain current knowledge of applicable federal and Florida public benefits laws, regulations, agency policies, and procedures; monitor legal and policy changes and incorporate developments into casework and unit practices.
6. Develop and deliver legal education programs addressing the needs of CLS clients and participate in continuing legal education, specialized training, and knowledge-sharing.
7. Demonstrate an understanding of the legal, economic, social, and practical challenges faced by CLS clients, including individuals experiencing poverty, homelessness, disabilities, or barriers to essential services. Provide culturally responsive, trauma-informed, accessible, and nonjudgmental representation.
8. Identify and address barriers to accessing or maintaining benefits, collaborating with clients, authorized representatives, healthcare providers, case managers, and community organizations to obtain evidence and support advocacy while protecting confidentiality.
9. Maintain accurate and timely case records in LegalServer or its successor, documenting eligibility, legal services, case activities, outcomes, and other information required by CLS policies and funding sources.
10. Accurately record and allocate time to appropriate funding sources in accordance with grant requirements and CLS procedures.
11. Assist the Public Benefits Managing Attorney and administrative staff with grant reporting, performance measurement, program evaluation, and compliance with grant deliverables and reporting requirements; promptly communicate potential compliance concerns.
12. Participate in case reviews, file audits, and quality assurance activities to promote effective representation, accurate reporting, and accountability.
13. Participate in community outreach, legal education, and initiatives that increase awareness of public benefits rights and CLS services. Develop collaborative relationships with community organizations to improve access to benefits.
14. Collaborate with other CLS practice areas to address overlapping legal needs, identify systemic barriers, and support systemic advocacy, strategic litigation, and policy initiatives consistent with CLS priorities.
15. Collaborate with the Public Benefits Managing Attorney and unit staff through case consultations, meetings, and professional development; exercise independent professional judgment and seek guidance on complex or unfamiliar matters.
16. Supervise assigned paralegals, legal assistants, and other support staff by providing legal guidance, training, oversight, and ongoing support. Maintain effective case management, client communication, responsiveness, and compliance with applicable deadlines.
17. Perform other duties as assigned, consistent with organizational needs and professional responsibilities.

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.

2. Background and Experience

1. Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
2. Membership in good standing with The Florida Bar.
3. Must be bondable.
4. Ability to maintain professional competence and satisfy applicable continuing legal education requirements.
5. Experience with public interest law, legal aid, administrative law, disability rights, healthcare access, or public benefits advocacy.
6. Knowledge of, or willingness and demonstrated ability to develop proficiency in, federal and Florida public benefits programs, including SSA, Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP, and related administrative procedures.
7. Ability to conduct legal research, interpret complex statutes and regulations, and apply administrative policies to individual client circumstances.
8. Experience representing clients in administrative hearings, appeals, or other legal proceedings is preferred.
9. Experience with grant-funded programs, case management systems, and documentation requirements is preferred.
10. Strong legal analysis, writing, negotiation, advocacy, and communication skills, including the ability to explain complex matters clearly to clients with varying levels of legal knowledge.
11. Ability to manage multiple cases, prioritize work, maintain accurate records, and meet case, reporting, and organizational deadlines.
12. Valid Florida driver’s license, use of own automobile, and proof of insurance required; ability to travel within CLS’s 12-county service area and occasionally beyond it for hearings, outreach, meetings, or training

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 PAY: $75,000, 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 should not be considered 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.