Staff Attorney – Dade City (Full-time)

NOTE: For a list of all open positions, please see our Careers page.

Bay Area Legal Services is seeking to fill a full-time Staff Attorney position in Dade City.

Bay Area Legal Services (BALS) is seeking to fill a full-time staff attorney position to provide counsel and advice and represent clients in civil legal proceedings in traditional areas of public interest law. The primary focus of the position will be in family law (original dissolution of marriage proceedings, original paternity proceedings, and supplemental petitions to modify) and domestic violence, sexual violence, stalking and other injunction matters. The Team Leader of the Dade City office will supervise the position.

Applicants seeking employment with us should understand and share our commitment to the BALS' mission and vision, and be willing to abide by the five core values of Bay Area Legal Services.

Office Location

Dade City
14950 US Hwy 301
Dade City, FL 33523-2807

Illustrative Duties:

• Providing representation to victims of crime in court proceedings including emergency advocacy.
• Provide advice and assistance in connection with crime victim compensation.
• Interview applicants and determine if eligibility requirements for established legal services are satisfied. Documents all client case information and related time spent in case management system accurately and timely. Ensure compliance with Legal Services Corporation (LSC) or other granter requirements.
• Communicate with clients to learn about their legal needs and concerns. Provide counsel and advice and refer them to appropriate public agencies or other community resources for additional services needed. Explain legal options and bring possible outcomes or risks to their attention.
• Develop and implement strategies to resolve cases favorably. Prepare legal documents, such as contracts, dispositions, briefs, oral arguments, and pleadings, accurately and in a timely manner. Research relevant legal materials to aid decision-making, gather and analyze evidence, identify implications for cases from legal precedents or other legal information.
• Negotiate settlement of cases with opposing attorneys or parties. 
• Prepare necessary correspondence relating to services rendered. Create and maintain relationships with organizations that are commonly adverse parties where possible to facilitate case resolution. Attend team meetings and collaborate with other attorneys on case questions.
• Develop arguments and represent clients participating in hearings before various courts and administrative bodies. Present and summarize cases to judges.
• Travel to client meetings or hearings and trials as necessary.
• Supervise legal assistants and activities of other legal personnel (legal interns, paralegals etc.)
• Assists other poverty program components as needed and offers advice in public relations, participates in appropriate community activities. This includes participation in BALS in-house committees and outside community/Florida Bar events when asked or needed.
• Stay informed about current legislation, especially assigned legal specialties. Attend Continuing Legal Education (CLE) courses and/or other trainings to maintain knowledge in areas of expertise or gain new knowledge.
• Perform other duties as designated by the Team Leader.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Juris Doctorate (JD), Florida Bar licensed and in good standing with the Bar.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, organize and review work of others.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• Excellent prioritization skills and ability to meet deadlines.
• Experience with legal database systems to document case assignments.
• Sympathetic and compassionate understanding of the social, economic, and legal issues faced by low-income individuals with limited access to such services. Ability to relate well and effectively with diverse groups and individuals.

Desirable Qualifications:

• 2 or more years of family law litigation experience is preferred, but quality recently licensed applicants will be interviewed and considered
• Previous experience in a non-profit legal services firm
• Some experience with legal databases systems
• Bilingual Spanish/English is a plus

Compensation/Benefits:

• Minimum salary $60,350.00/yr. (increases based on relevant experience).
• Reimbursement for travel expenses (mileage etc.)
• 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 (including why this position is of interest to you) to recruiting@bals.org and state how you learned about the position. Rolling applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.