Staff Attorney - Volunteer Lawyers Program (Clearwater Office)

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 for its Volunteer Lawyers Program.

This position provides day-to-day administrative oversight for the Volunteer Lawyers Program-Northwest (VLP-NW) Team under the direction of the VLP Pro Bono Director for outreach, intake services, referrals, data collection, and grant reporting. The Staff Attorney is responsible for developing and supervising pro bono/outreach opportunities to serve the residents in the North Pinellas and Pasco County service area. This position will also be responsible for overseeing the work of the VLP-NW Paralegal, interns, and volunteers. The position will be supervised by the Pro Bono Director of the VLP.

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

Clearwater
800 Drew Street
Clearwater, FL 33755-5658

Illustrative Duties:

• Supervises staff work as assigned by the Pro Bono Director and provides management support for other subordinate team personnel
• Responsible for planning, developing, managing and expanding client outreach efforts and engagements covering the two (2)-county service area (North Pinellas and Pasco County)
• Serves as Program liaison with community partners, bar associations, funders, and pro bono committees (local and statewide) to ensure our vulnerable client populations have access to services
• Recruits and retains volunteer attorneys, mentors, law students, and non-legal volunteers
• Processes legal services requests and evaluates the complexity of each client's legal problem, assesses income eligibility, confirms applicant eligibility determinations, and makes appropriate legal and social services referrals for clients and applicants not eligible for Bay Area’s services
• Directly supervises pro bono case placements with volunteer attorney, including supervision of case progress
• Develops and manages pro bono clinics to ensure an effective delivery of high-quality legal services
• Assists in updating and developing appropriate legal advice and brief services letters, training manuals/guides for staff, and other written materials as requested by the Team Leader/Pro Bono Director
• Creates and manages various training opportunities via a variety of training mechanisms (i.e., virtual, in-person, webinars, etc.)
• Conducts staff or new attorney trainings on procedural and substantive issues related to their functions as requested
• Prepares accurate and timely project/grant/statistical reports and participates in funder meetings as requested
• Conducts quarterly and annual program analysis to evaluate the need for ongoing project changes and improvements
• Oversees and ensures program goals and objectives are attained
• Works closely with the Pro Bono Director and other VLP Attorneys to ensure best practices and uniformity (when applicable) across the VLP Team
• Adheres to professional standards as outlined by governmental bodies, (and/or other appropriate professional associations), private funding sources, organization plans/policies and guidelines. Participates in periodic evaluative reviews and/or in-house and external staff training to ensure that she/he understands and continues to adhere to such standards. Initiates requests for assistance or guidance from supervisor to address new issues or complex concepts affecting adherence to professional standard
• Performs other duties as designated by the Team Leader/Pro Bono Director

Minimum Qualifications:

• Admission to the Florida Bar
• Active practice as a FL Bar member for minimum of four (4) years
• Minimum 1-year experience in managing projects or coordinating staff and volunteer activities
• Substantial knowledge of a broad range of issues in poverty law
• High degree of ethics
• Excellent writing, oral communication, and client interviewing skills
• Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate
• Ability to think critically, troubleshoot and problem solve issues quickly
• Excellent prioritization, organizational skills and ability to meet deadlines
• Independent decision making and assessment skills and ability to supervise work of a team
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and complete majority of tasks independently
• Ability to work in and contribute effectively to a team environment
• Experience in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships both internally and with external community contacts
• Client-focused with the desire and ability to work effectively and compassionately with individuals in low income levels facing social, economic, and legal issues who have limited access to legal services and resources

Desirable Qualifications:

• At least one year of program supervision or senior attorney experience
• Proficiency in Spanish
• Skilled in use of social media and technologies in law firm/client service communities

Compensation:

• Minimum salary $61,600 to $64,700 (increases with experience), excellent benefits and mileage reimbursement for travel.

How to Apply:

• Send Resume and cover letter to recruiting@bals.org. This position will remain open until filled.
• Include where you applied for this position (ex: bals.org, LinkedIn, Indeed, etc.).

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.