Part- Time Veterans Legal Helpline Staff Attorney & Community Partnerships Counsel

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 non-profit 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 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.

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

Our firm includes over 190 dedicated staff members comprised of attorneys, paralegals, and support staff who work to carry out our mission and vision daily.

Position Title: Veterans Legal Helpline Staff Attorney & Community Partnerships Counsel (Part-time up to 29 hours) This is a remote position.

Position Description: This is a professional position involving the delivery of high-quality legal advice, counseling and brief services as a licensed attorney. It requires excellent client interviewing skills, a substantial knowledge of a broad range of poverty law issues and the ability to give immediate assistance to clients whose problems do not require litigation or other complex advocacy services. Represents veterans, low-income, and/or other vulnerable client populations who have limited access to legal services.

This role also plays a key part in strengthening the visibility, reach, and impact of the Veterans Legal Helpline by maintaining relationships with community partners, funders, and state legislators. The attorney will support both direct client services and the broader strategic goals of the Helpline.

Illustrative Duties

Internal:

• Process legal services requests and evaluate the complexity of each client’s legal problem, assess income eligibility, confirm applicant eligibility determinations, and make appropriate legal and social services referrals for applicants and clients not eligible for Bay Area’s Services. Recommend exceptions to financial guidelines to the supervisor if appropriate.
• Provides legal services as needed including advice, research, and brief services to clients who do not need extended representation, including preparing appropriate confirming letters as necessary and providing self-help materials.
• Reviews documents submitted by applicants including durable and other powers of attorney and letters of guardianship.
• Determine whether extended legal services may be needed for FVLH clients and when appropriate, process referrals within Bay Area and to outside legal referral partners according to the guidelines established by the FVLH Manager
• Maintain and complete accurate client records using Bay Area’s legal case management system.
• Assist in developing and updating appropriate legal advice and brief services letters, legal instructional materials and other written materials as requested by the VLH Manager

External:

• Educate state legislators on the legal needs of veterans and vulnerable populations including presenting program outcomes and client impact data.
• Increase visibility of the Helpline within the Florida Legislature and across West Florida by attending legislative events, community briefings, and advocacy -related meetings.
• Coordinate with external legal partners to facilitate referrals for extended representation when appropriate.
• Coordinate site visits by scheduling and facilitating on-site reviews with funding partners.

Requirements

  Minimum Requirements

• Admission to the Florida Bar and in good standing with at least four years of experience as a staff attorney or equivalent practice experience.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work closely and cooperatively with other team members.
• Demonstrated ability to interview clients to determine essential facts regarding the nature and severity of their legal problems.
• Demonstrated ability to accept major responsibility and to work effectively in an independent but closely supervised environment.
• A willingness to undertake major management tasks.

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience in general legal practice with a preference given to legal services experience.
• Experience and/or ability to supervise and work closely with others.
• Sympathetic understanding of social, economic, as well as legal problems of individuals with limited access to legal services.
• Experience in personnel management.
• U.S. Veteran preferred