Staff Attorney / Pro Bono Coordinator

The Staff Attorney / Pro Bono Coordinator is a full-time position reporting to the Managing Attorney. The Staff Attorney / Pro Bono Coordinator is responsible for implementing the strategic vision and day-to-day management of FRLS’ pro bono program throughout the 15th Judicial Circuit. This includes fostering positive relationships with the private bar, law firms, law schools, bar associations, state-wide access to justice commissions, community partners, and national organizations. The Staff Attorney / Pro Bono Coordinator will maintain a caseload approved by program priorities in areas such as housing, family law matters, public benefits, consumer law, elder law, education, immigration, civil rights, and other areas as appropriate.

Key Responsibilities

• Interviews, certifies eligibility, and identifies the legal problems of FRLS’ clients within a specific area of law and provides clients with appropriate legal assistance in the form of advice, referrals, or actual representation.
• Provide direct representation to clients as a staff attorney
• Act as “Attorney of the Day” as a staff attorney
• Co-counsel cases as appropriate with pro bono attorney
• Participates in outreach
• Represents clients in court and before administrative agencies as deemed appropriate
• provides documentation, statistical information and other records as required by the Managing Attorney, Deputy Director or Executive Director
• Participates in case acceptance, meetings, applicable work job meetings, pro bono agency meetings and agency program meetings
• Participates in training to keep up CLE’s and required and legally relevant training as may be provided by the program and as mandated by Florida Bar rules.
• Adheres to office hours, exhibits a strong work ethic and excellent time management skills, communicates, and treats clients and staff with courtesy and respect, provides constructive feedback to other advocates (including paralegals) on cases discussed.
• Serves as a role model to support staff by promoting the values of hard work, high quality advocacy and treating others with courtesy and respect.
• Attempts to ensure accessibility of the local office(s) when necessary, by serving clients, including rural clients, non-English speaking clients and clients with disabilities.
• Promotes good relations with the public, including client groups, service providers, press, and the private bar, attending/speaking at local meetings as appropriate and approved by the Managing Attorney, Deputy Director, and/or Executive Director.
• Develops and maintains familiarity with FRLS policies, as well as requirements of LSC, CSC and other funders, and adheres to those policies and requirements.
• Maintains accurate follow-up system to review cases when needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Pro Bono Management 

• Manage the Pro Bono Program in the local office service area.
• Recruit attorney volunteers, law students, paralegals, and other professionals to accept pro bono cases and assist at pro se and legal advice clinics.
• Conduct on-site intake as needed at outreach events.
• Manage the flow of cases from intake to placement (case matching) with volunteer
• Act as attorney mentor to pro bono attorneys.
• Manage and close Pro Bono case files through adherence to strict guidelines.
• Develop and implement various pro bono projects, advice clinics, and outreach events for the benefit of attorneys and clients.
• Develop and implement CLE trainings for pro bono volunteers and FRLS’ Staff
• Develop and implement volunteer recognition programs
• Work with various committees, bar associations, community partners, and the public to promote FRLS Pro Bono Program.
• Collaborate to establish and implement creative pro bono opportunities for attorneys in the service area.
• Submit articles for local newsletters, produce recognition ads, press releases, and other advertising pamphlets and brochures to increase participation in outreach events by attorneys and clients.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

The Successful Candidate

• Juris Doctorate from an ABA accredited law school.
• Barred in Florida.
• Knowledge of State and Federal court procedures preferred.
• Some knowledge of the legal system, commitment to the mission of FRLS and compassion for the clients.
• Ability to forge positive relationships with prospects and colleagues.
• Good organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively, yet independently.
• Must be able to effectively and efficiently maximize existing resources.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint). Knowledge of CMS a plus.
• Must be able to effectively work in high-pressure situations involving deadlines.
• Bilingual English and Spanish or Haitian Creole preferred, but not required.