Managing​/Senior Staff Attorney

Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Gainesville, Tallahassee, or fully remote (must be a Florida resident)

$85,500 (Senior)/$90,500 (Managing) (Scales Up Based on Experience.)

Including paid vacation, sick leave, and personal holidays, contributed employer medical, vision, and dental insurance, 401(k) plan with an impressive employer contribution match, Life, LTC, AD&D, short and long-term disability insurance, generous paid holidays as well as a host of additional optional benefits. Employment at Disability Rights Florida is eligible employment for LRAP and PSLF.

Disability Rights Florida (Disability Rights) is a not-for-profit corporation that acts as the state’s federally mandated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) System for individuals with disabilities. As Florida’s P&A System, Disability Rights’ mission is to advocate, educate, investigate, and litigate to protect and advance the rights, dignity, equal opportunities, self-determination, and choices for all people with disabilities.

This job posting is for a Managing or Senior Staff Attorney to protect and advocate for the civil rights of individuals with disabilities in institutional settings, the community, and students in Florida’s public schools. The Senior Staff Attorney is responsible for delivery of legal services provided by Disability Rights Florida including legal supervision of the work of assigned advocate/investigators and other non-attorney staff.

The Senior Staff Attorney will provide legal representation in a variety of forums to clients and the organization. The Senior Staff Attorney is expected to appear in administrative hearings, state and federal court, state agency and legislative meetings in addition to providing advocacy, education, outreach and other services related to disability issues. A Managing Attorney is expected to have all of the skills and responsibilities of a Senior Staff Attorney while also assisting the Team Director in managing attorney and non-attorney staff and overseeing the team’s work.

Our services are free and confidential. Created within this position is an opportunity to work for a dynamic organization on the front lines of protecting and advocating for the rights of people with disabilities. Our mission is to advocate, educate, investigate, and litigate to protect and advance the rights, dignity, equal opportunities, self-determination and choices for all people with disabilities. We are a passionate, highly motivated, dedicated group of professionals and we are looking for exceptional talent, with the same passion for our mission, to join our team.

Our attorneys provide legal services and engage in individual and systemic advocacy on behalf of individuals with disabilities. Experience litigating cases involving violations of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Rehabilitation Act is required. Federal court experience preferred. Statewide travel and a favorable background check are required.

• At least 5 years of experience as an attorney, with preference given to work in civil rights areas.
• Experience supervising attorney and non-attorney legal staff.
• Member of the Florida Bar.
• Knowledge of current relevant state and federal law, regulations, court and administrative procedure as well as rules of professional conduct.
• Significant legal/litigation experience in state or federal courts in areas of civil rights litigation to include client contact, complex motion or appellate practice and litigation through jury or non-jury resolution.
• Ability to read, write and speak professionally and communicate effectively in English, including a working knowledge of correct grammar, punctuation, spelling, sentence structure and legal citation.
• Able to provide effective supervision of staff, demonstrated ability to analyze complex problems, develop effective solutions and implement recommendations.
• Knowledge of management principles and strategic planning, organizational skills to manage multiple priorities and meet internal and external deadlines.
• Sound professional judgment and ability to interface effectively with staff at all…