Staff Attorney - Senior Advocacy Unit

Staff Attorney - Senior Advocacy Unit (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 (BALS) is seeking to fill a full-time Staff Attorney position on our Senior Advocacy Unit (SAU). The SAU provides high quality legal services to seniors (60+) in a variety of areas including home ownership, landlord/tenant, public benefits, and other issues affecting low income and vulnerable senior populations. The attorney hired will conduct telephone intake and provide brief services and extended representation in three primarily rural counties (Polk, Highlands, and Hardee), as well as Hillsborough County.

Travel will sometimes be required in order to assist clients and conduct outreach. The position will be supervised by the Team Leader of the Senior Advocacy Unit (SAU).

Ybor City
1302 N 19th Street
Suite 400
Tampa, FL 33605

• Interview applicants over the telephone and in person to provide eligible seniors 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 senior clients in Hillsborough, Polk, Highlands, and Hardee counties, including appearances in court proceedings.
• Community outreach as necessary to increase awareness of free legal services for seniors in the three counties referenced.

• Juris Doctorate (JD), Florida Bar licensed and in good standing with the Bar.
• 3 years of attorney experience.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, organize and review work of others.
• Excellent prioritization skills and ability to meet deadlines.
• Sympathetic and compassionate understanding of the social, economic, and legal issues faced by low‑income individuals and the elderly with limited access to such services. Ability to relate well and effectively with diverse groups and individuals.

• Previous experience with home ownership preservation issues and/or landlord/tenant.
• Previous experience in non‑profit legal services or public interest firm.

• Minimum salary $71,480.00/yr. (increases based on relevant experience)
• 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.

• Send Resume and Cover Letter to recruiting and state where you learned about this position.

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.