Real Property Rights Staff Attorney (REMOTE/HYBRID, SIGN ON BONUS)

Community Legal Services; Sanford (FL); Remote; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Community Legal Services is seeking a Real Property Rights Staff Attorney to protect property rights and promote sustainable landownership in Central Florida. The role involves litigation, client representation, and collaboration with community organizations. A commitment to serving low-income communities and proficiency in Microsoft Office are essential.

Benefits

15 paid holidays and 24 days of paid time off

100% coverage for dental, life insurance, and disability benefits

403B retirement plan with 100% match after 1 year

Student loan reimbursement for attorneys

Tuition reimbursement

Opportunity to apply for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Qualifications

• Must be a member in good standing of The Florida Bar.
• At least 3 years of legal practice preferred.
• Ability to travel within a 12-county area.

Responsibilities

• Develop legal education programs and advocacy strategies.
• Provide high-quality legal services including court representation.
• Handle complex litigation including federal cases and multi-party trials.

Skills

Courtroom litigation skills

Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Legal problem identification

Job description

Join Our Community-Focused Organization!

Be part of an organization making a difference in the Central Florida community! Recognized as an Orlando Business Journal’s 2021 Best Places to Work, an 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 committed to promoting equal access to justice, especially for society's most vulnerable individuals.

CLS Offers:

• 15 paid holidays and 24 days of paid time off
• Excellent health, vision, and mental health benefits (with 95% of costs covered by the company)
• 100% coverage for dental, life insurance, and disability benefits
• 403B retirement plan with 100% match after 1 year (up to 5%)
• CLS pays for Bar Dues and CLE Credits
• Student loan reimbursement for attorneys
• Tuition reimbursement
• Opportunity to apply for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Work-life balance focus
• Opportunities for advancement into leadership roles
• Pet insurance
• Employee morale events, retreats, and activities organized by the Wellness Committee

Position: Real Property Rights Staff Attorney

Overview

The Staff Attorney reports to the Real Property Rights Protection Managing Attorney or Director of Advocacy. The unit focuses on protecting real property rights and promoting sustainable landownership and generational wealth. Responsibilities include investigating and litigating cases to help clients maintain or access landownership, providing comprehensive legal services in civil cases aligned with CLS’s mission, ABA standards, and Florida legal regulations.

Responsibilities

1. Develop legal education programs and advocacy strategies for real property rights protection.
2. Travel for outreach, client representation, training, and meetings.
3. Assess client eligibility for legal services per program policies and grant requirements.
4. Provide high-quality legal services, including legal problem identification, investigation, advice, negotiation, and court representation.
5. Address legal issues related to property ownership, such as probate, title issues, tax sales, quiet title actions, land partitions, and disaster assistance.
6. Represent clients across the CLS service area and collaborate with community organizations to strengthen neighborhoods.
7. Handle complex litigation, including federal cases, appellate work, and multi-party trials.
8. Supervise paralegals and legal assistants as appropriate.
9. Conduct legal research using databases like Westlaw.
10. Maintain an active caseload and complete administrative duties.
11. Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

1. Commitment: Dedication to CLS’s mission and values, high-quality legal service, and organizational integrity.
2. Experience and Skills: Must be a member in good standing of The Florida Bar, with a commitment to serving low-income communities. At least 3 years of legal practice preferred, with courtroom litigation skills a plus. Proficiency in Microsoft Office required. Ability to travel within a 12-county area. Valid Florida driver’s license and insurance needed.
3. Physical Requirements: Ability to sit at a desk working on a computer for extended periods and lift up to 25 pounds.

Salary

$65,000 - $85,000 plus a 10% sign-on bonus based on final offer.

Equal Opportunity Statement

CLS is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We do not discriminate based on age, race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, or other protected characteristics. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture.

This job description provides a general overview of the role and responsibilities. Additional duties may be assigned as needed to support organizational goals.