Job Description

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 a regional, non-profit public interest law firm providing the highest quality legal counsel by:

• Assisting individuals and non-profit groups with limited access to legal services;
• Resolving the legal problems of clients; and
• Preserving the independence, hope, and dignity of those, we serve.

Position Title: Housing Staff Attorney (Full-time HYBRID three days in office/two days remote)

Home Office Location: New Port Richey

Position Description: Bay Area Legal Services (BALS) is seeking to fill a full-time, hybrid, housing attorney position for Pasco County. Staff Attorneys will facilitate or directly provide qualified legal services to low income clients to meet their civil legal needs. This position will provide high-quality legal services, advice, and other assistance, including legal representation, to eligible clients throughout Pasco County. Travel to West and East Pasco County Courthouses as needed will be required. The primary focus of the position will be housing law including defending against foreclosures, and evictions, and preserving federally subsidized housing rights, and home ownership. The attorney’s home office will be in New Port Richey and the Managing Attorney for the New Port Richey office will supervise this position.

Illustrative Duties:

• Interview applicants and determine if eligibility requirements for established legal services are satisfied. Documents 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, advice, and refer them to appropriate public agencies or other community resources for additional services needed. Ensure legal options and possible outcomes or risks are brought to their attention.
• Develop and implement strategies to resolve cases favorably. Prepare and review legal documents, such as contracts, dispositions, briefs, oral arguments, and pleadings, accurately and in a timely manner. Research relevant legal materials to aid decision-making, gather and analyze evidence, and identify implications for cases from legal precedents or other legal information.
• Negotiate settlement of cases with opposing attorneys or parties and create and maintain relationships with organizations that are commonly community partners or adverse parties where possible to facilitate case resolution.
• Attend team meetings and collaborate with other attorneys on case questions.
• Develop arguments and represent clients participating in hearings before various courts and administrative bodies for Pasco County. This will include travel to client hearings as necessary at East and West Pasco County Courthouses.
• Supervise junior attorneys, legal assistants, and activities of other legal personnel (legal interns, paralegals etc.) as needed.
• Assists other poverty program components as needed and offers advice in public relations, participates in appropriate community and outreach activities. This includes participation in BALS in-house committees and outside community/Florida Bar events when needed.
• Stay informed about current legislation, especially assigned legal specialties. Attend Continuing Legal Education (CLE) courses and/or other training to maintain knowledge in areas of expertise or gain new knowledge.
• Perform other duties as designated by the Managing Attorney and Senior Leadership.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Juris Doctorate and Florida Bar licensed and in good standing with the Bar.
• One year of housing experience with some litigation experience
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, organize, and review the work of others.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize and meet all deadlines.
• Experience with legal database systems to document case assignments, timekeeping, and notes.
• Sympathetic and compassionate understanding of the social, economic, and legal issues faced by low-income individuals with limited access to such services. Strong abilities to relate well and effectively with diverse groups and individuals.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Previous experience in a non-profit legal services firm
• Some experience in housing related law and litigation
• Bilingual Spanish/English

Compensation:

• Starting salary $65,890.00/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.

This position requires successful completion of a level II background screening based on the required duties and responsibilities

How to Apply:

• Send your resume and cover letter to recruiting@bals.org
• 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 for employment 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 status.

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