Regional Managing Attorney - Lakeland

Description

Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc. (FRLS) is a non-profit law firm that provides free civil legal aid to eligible individuals, families, and vulnerable communities across 13 Florida counties, as well as to farm workers statewide. Since 1966, FRLS has been dedicated to justice, offering legal services in housing law, family law, consumer protection, public benefits, elder law, disaster relief, education law, and more—at no cost to our clients. FRLS partners with community organizations and pro bono attorneys to provide quality advocacy, outreach, and education aimed at protecting the rights of those in need. For over 50 years, FRLS has been a steadfast advocate for justice. Learn more at

The Regional Managing Attorney (RMA) will provide excellent management and supervision to attorneys and paralegals through mentoring, training, case reviews, co-counseling and general oversight of advocacy and outreach. The RMA will also oversee the implementation of grants awarded to their respective local office and will plan for grant project success, including working with administration to ensure grants are implemented, grant services are administered properly, staff bill to grants appropriately, and that grant funding is expended. The RMA will provide training and mentoring to new staff attorneys and paralegals and will ensure program case goals are met by regional office staff. The RMA provides regular regional office updates to executive management and participates in community groups and on community service boards and stakeholder groups. The RMA is responsible for completing timely evaluations for all staff attorneys, paralegals and office managers.

This position reports directly to the Advocacy Director.

Essential Functions

1. Leads, mentors and provides co-counseling on all advocacy and case filings in the assigned office. Must be an experienced litigator and advocate, preferably in one or more areas of law handled by FRLS staff.

2. Conducts regular reviews/discussions of individual advocates’ cases and utilizes case data reports to recommend improved services depending on the needs of the office.

3. Reviews case opening memos of all advocates in the office for compliance with priorities and full development of potential avenues of relief.

4. Reviews all substantial written work of advocates prior to filing and all written work of new advocates during probation.

5. Trains and mentors new advocates during their first year of practice.

6. Provides input, advice, and problem-solving to advocacy staff regarding their cases and issues or problems related to their clients.

7. Conducts regular, scheduled review of closed cases for compliance with case closing and requirements.

8. Manages case acceptance/assignment process, using regularly scheduled office meetings and/or other processes.

9. Ensures cases are regularly updated and stays informed about current work and workloads of advocates, adjusting work assignments as needed.

10. Regularly reviews cases where representation has been denied and to ensure justification for service denial.

11. Provides timely evaluation for all staff attorneys, paralegals and office managers in the office.

12. Plans and monitors an appropriate client outreach and education system and schedule as needed for the regional office.

13. Accepts, documents and resolves, at the first level, all client grievances and other complaints about service issues or denial of service by the local office.

14. Monitors and promotes accessibility of the local office to clients, including rural clients, non-English speaking clients and clients with disabilities.

15. Promotes good relations with public, including client groups, service providers, press and private bar, attending/speaking at local meetings and outreach events.

16. Participates in hiring process for regional office staff.

17. Participates in discipline of regional office staff and manages minor disputes between office staff.

18. Participates actively and constructively in legal work management meetings.

19. Provides timely reports and data upon request for grant applications and reports, fundraising, public relations and other program needs.

20. Ability to carry own caseload if necessary.

Requirements

1. Juris Doctorate from an ABA accredited law school.

2. Licensed to practice law in Florida.

3. Five years of excellent leadership and management history and proven ability to lead advocacy and support staff required.

4. Knowledge of State and Federal court practices required.

5. At least five years’ experience preferred in state and federal litigation, preferably in the areas of consumer rights, public and employment benefits, housing, family/custody protection, farm worker law or immigration.

6. Ability to supervise and develop litigation skills of others and manage regional office under a business model to include management of client trust accounts, litigation calendars, pro bono coordination, community education and outreach and working with program administration to ensure office success.

7. Ability to forge positive relationships with prospects and colleagues.

8. Good organizational, interpersonal and communication skills.

9. Ability to work collaboratively, yet independently.

10. Must be able to effectively and efficiently maximize existing resources.

11. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint).

12. Experience using electronic case management system to maintain client files and track time a plus.

13. Familiarity working with bargaining unit staff and contracts a plus.

14. Must be able to effectively work in high-pressure situations, which involve deadlines.

15. Bilingual Spanish/Haitian Creole a plus.

16. A desire to serve low- income individuals and a dedication to program mission of service.

17. Ability and desire to work collaboratively with FRLS executive leadership.

Working conditions

This position operates in a professional work environment.

Physical requirements

1. This is a largely sedentary role, however, some lifting of office supplies of up to 20 pounds may be required.

2. Must be able to travel throughout Florida, as needed.

Reports

1. Monthly progress reports

2. Grant reports

3. Other reports as requested

Direct Reports

1. Office Managers

2. Paralegals

3. Staff Attorneys

Salary and Benefits

The starting salary for this position is $92,000 and increases based on experience. FRLS offers a very generous benefits package that includes 403(b) with employer-paid contribution; health insurance (medical, dental, and vision) for employees and their dependents; paid leave (up to 5 weeks of PTO, 2 personal days, and 13 holidays). FRLS Managing Attorney primarily operates in-office but may be required to travel to various locations.

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