Staff Attorney – New Port Richey-Housing (Full-time)

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Bay Area Legal Services is seeking to fill a full-time Hybrid Housing Staff Attorney position

Bay Area Legal Services (BALS) is seeking to fill a full-time, hybrid, housing attorney position for Pasco County. This position will provide high-quality legal services, advice, and other assistance, including legal representation, to eligible clients throughout Pasco County. Travel to West and East Pasco County Courthouses as needed will be required. The primary focus of the position will be housing law including defending against foreclosures, and evictions, and preserving federally subsidized housing rights, and home ownership. The attorney’s home office will be in New Port Richey and the Managing Attorney for the New Port Richey office will supervise this 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

New Port Richey
7340 Little Road
Suite 101
New Port Richey, FL 34654

Illustrative Duties:

• 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 grantor requirements.
• Communicate with clients to learn about their legal needs and concerns, counsel, advice, and refer them to appropriate public agencies or other community resources for additional services needed. Ensure legal options and possible outcomes or risks are brought to their attention.
• Develop and implement strategies to resolve cases favorably. Prepare and review 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, and identify implications for cases from legal precedents or other legal information.
• Negotiate settlement of cases with opposing attorneys or parties and create and maintain relationships with organizations that are commonly community partners or 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 for Pasco County. This will include travel to client hearings as necessary at East and West Pasco County Courthouses.
• Supervise junior attorneys, legal assistants, and activities of other legal personnel (legal interns, paralegals etc.) as needed.
• Assists other poverty program components as needed and offers advice in public relations, participates in appropriate community and outreach activities. This includes participation in BALS in-house committees and outside community/Florida Bar events when needed.
• Stay informed about current legislation, especially assigned legal specialties. Attend Continuing Legal Education (CLE) courses and/or other training to maintain knowledge in areas of expertise or gain new knowledge.
• Perform other duties as designated by the Managing Attorney and Senior Leadership.

Minimum Qualifications:

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

Desirable Qualifications:

• Previous experience in a non-profit legal services firm
• Some experience in housing related law and litigation
• Bilingual Spanish/English
• One year of housing experience with some litigation experience

Compensation/Benefits:

• Starting Salary for an attorney is $60,350.00/yr. (increases based on 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 to recruiting@bals.org
• Include where you learned about this position (ex. Bals.org, Indeed, BALS contact, LinkedIn, etc.)

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.