Staff Attorney-Senior Advocacy Unit

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 nonprofit law firm serving the Tampa Bay area for over 50 years. We assist low-income residents, veterans, seniors, children, domestic violence survivors, and many more.

Our Mission: Providing the highest quality legal counsel by:

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

Our Vision: Creating pathways to justice through high-quality legal services, education and community partnerships.

Our firm includes over 170 dedicated staff members comprised of attorneys, paralegals, and support staff who work to carry out our mission and vision daily.

Position Title: Staff Attorney (Full-time)

Location: Tampa, FL (Ybor City)-Hybrid, 3 days a week in office & 2 days a week remote

Position Description: 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).

Illustrative Duties:

• 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 granter 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.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Juris Doctorate {JD), Florida Bar licensed and in good standing with the Bar.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, organize and review work of others.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• 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.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Previous experience with home ownership preservation issues and/or landlord/tenant
• Previous experience in a non-profit legal services or public interest firm
• Bilingual Spanish/English a plus