Staff Attorney - Veterans (Full-Time)

Are you interested in making a difference in your community? Are you passionate about helping others who are in need across different groups? Do you value work life balance? If you answer yes to these questions, Bay Area Legal Services may be the workplace for you! Bay Area Legal Services is seeking to fill a full-time attorney on its Veterans Team. Bay Area Legal Services (BALS) is seeking to fill a full-time Staff Attorney position on our Veterans Law Center (VLC) Team. The VLC provides high quality legal services to veterans in a variety of areas including but not limited to family law, landlord-tenant, home ownership, public benefits, and veterans’ benefits. The attorney hired will be responsible for telephone intake and brief services statewide through our Veterans Legal Helpline, as well as intake and extended representation in Bay Area Legal Services’ service area. Community outreach, presentation development and delivery, and community partner engagement are strong components of the job responsibilities. Applicants should expect to travel for these activities as necessary. The position will be supervised by the Team Leader of the VLC. Staff Attorneys will facilitate or directly provide qualified legal services to low-income clients to meet their civil legal needs. Office Location Ybor City 1302 N 19th Street Suite 400 Tampa, FL 33605 This position is hybrid, 3 days in office and 2 days remote. Illustrative Duties: Interview applicants over the telephone and in person to provide eligible veterans 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 veteran clients in Bay Area Legal Services’ service area, including appearances in court proceedings Community outreach as necessary to increase awareness of free legal services for veterans. Supervise junior attorney, legal assistants and activities of other legal personnel (legal interns, paralegals etc.) Assist other poverty program components as needed and offer 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. Participate in appropriate community and statewide activities to support, promote and further the work of Bay Area Legal Services. Assist the supervisor or Team Leader in preparing statistical reports. Assist in developing and updating appropriate legal advice and brief services letters, legal instructional materials and other written materials as requested by the Team Leader. 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 in an independent but closely supervised environment 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 Ability to work closely and cooperatively with other team members Ability to travel to counties within the service area to meet with clients, perform outreach, and make presentations Desirable Qualifications: Familiarity and experience with poverty law issues, including but not limited to family law, landlord-tenant, and public benefits Familiarity with Veterans Benefits law Knowledge of trauma-informed lawyering practices Familiarity and experience working with a wide range of social service agencies Internet, e-mail, and word processing experience in a Windows-based environment Prior experience working with the veteran population and/or prior military service Compensation: Starting salary $62,160.00/yr. (increases based on relevant experience). Reimbursement for travel expenses for work events (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. 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr