Staff Attorney - Senior Advocacy Unit (Full-Time)

Bay Area Legal Services; Lincoln Gardens (FL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Bay Area Legal Services seeks a full-time Staff Attorney for its Senior Advocacy Unit, committed to delivering high-quality legal services to seniors. The role includes legal advice, representation, and outreach in multiple counties, with a focus on issues facing low-income seniors. The ideal candidate will possess a JD, hold a Florida Bar license, and demonstrate compassion and independence.

Benefits

Comprehensive Benefits Package

403b Retirement Plan with 4% Match

Generous Time Off with 13 Paid Holidays

Loan Forgiveness Programs Eligibility

Qualifications

• JD and Florida Bar license required.
• Experience in legal services or public interest preferred.
• Understanding of social and legal issues affecting low-income individuals.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice and representation to seniors in multiple counties.
• Conduct telephone intakes and in-person interviews with clients.
• Prepare legal documents and negotiate settlements.

Skills

Independence

Prioritization

Compassionate Understanding

Ability to Relate to Diverse Groups

Education

Juris Doctorate (JD)

Florida Bar License

Job description

Staff Attorney - Senior Advocacy Unit (Full-Time)

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 attorney hired will conduct telephone intake and provide brief services and extended representation in three primarily rural counties (Polk, Highlands, and Hardee), as well as Hillsborough County. Travel will sometimes be required in order to assist clients and conduct outreach. The position will be supervised by the Team Leader of the Senior Advocacy Unit (SAU).

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, Polk, Highlands, and Hardee counties, including appearances in court proceedings.
• Community outreach as necessary to increase awareness of free legal services for seniors in the three counties referenced.
  

MinimumQualifications:

• JurisDoctorate{JD),FloridaBarlicensedandingoodstandingwiththeBar.
• Demonstratedability toworkindependently,organizeandreviewwork ofothers.
• Excellentprioritizationskills andability tomeetdeadlines.
• Sympatheticandcompassionateunderstandingofthesocial,economic, and legal issuesfacedbylow-incomeindividualsand the elderlywithlimitedaccessto suchservices. Abilitytorelate well andeffectivelywithdiversegroupsand individuals.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Previousexperiencewithhome ownershippreservationissuesand/orlandlord/tenant
• Previousexperienceinanon-profitlegalservices or publicinterest firm

Compensation:

• Minimum salary $60,350.00/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.