Clay County Office Jacksonville Area Legal Aid (JALA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing legal assistance and advocacy for low-income individuals and families. We work to ensure access to justice and fair treatment in the areas of housing, consumer rights, family law and other essential legal services. JALA seeks a dedicated attorney to provide services for its Family and Victim Advocacy Unit and Consumer Advocacy and Litigation Unit clients. This is a full-time position based in JALA’s Clay County Office located in Green Cove Springs. Candidate may be required to cover work in Duval and/or Nassau Counties. Candidate should have 2 - 4 years of practice in marital and family law, including, but not limited to, dissolution of marriage, establishing and modifying child support, paternity, guardianship advocacy, injunctions for protection. Candidate should also have experience working with victims of domestic violence, including survivors of sexual violence, stalking, dating violence, repeat violence, and cyberstalking. Candidate should be aware of theories of domestic violence and be able to handle clients experiencing trauma. This role involves a balanced caseload, with approximately half dedicated to family law matters and the other half addressing various legal issues, including consumer rights, housing, employment, and other related areas. What you get when you come to JALA JALA is the premier litigation legal aid firm in the Southeastern United States. We are mission-driven, and our team makes a difference in our community. As a JALA employee, you can expect immediate hands-on experience interviewing and counseling clients as well as litigating cases in Federal and State courts. Staff are expected to take on challenging cases for our at-risk clients while being mentored and supported in taking on such cases. While there is a premium placed on initiative and self-motivation, you can expect to be supervised by lawyers who are recognized as subject matter experts in their field (JALA is the only law firm in Florida with three Florida Bar Consumer Protection Lawyers of the Year on staff, for example). Our lawyers and paralegals regularly serve on local and statewide committees, and our lawyers have gone on to become hearing officers, magistrates, judges, and administrative law judges. In addition to the opportunity to litigate early, our lawyers and staff are trusted as professionals - we have adopted a hybrid work environment (although not all positions are able to work remotely). Regardless of what others may prefer, we embrace diversity and inclusion as a way to ensure we are the most prepared to offer the best and highest level of representation for clients, as this is what they deserve from us. Salary/Benefits Salary commensurate with experience. $67,450 minimum if 2 yrs experience, Sign-on bonus. Benefits package include, but are not limited to, hybrid work model, medical, dental, vision, long-term disability insurance, group life insurance, 401(k) (match 100% of deferrals up to 6% of compensation), generous leave policy (13 paid holidays plus 22 personal leave days in first year, one-month sabbatical every four years), and membership in Access Perks, a private discount network. Jacksonville Area Legal Aid is an Equal Opportunity Employer Responsibilities: • Perform intake interviews of applicants and assist in screening regarding eligibility for representation. • Advice and counsel for individuals seeking legal assistance. • Draft pleadings, motions, and legal documents. • Representation regarding injunctions for protection. • Representation of clients in hearings and at trial. • Ensure that all applicable client files, data, and reports are accurate and complete. • Comply with all applicable regulations, policies, and grant requirements. • Direct and monitor activities of paralegals, legal assistants, and/or volunteers. • Maintain a caseload commensurate with abilities in order to provide full and effective legal representation and advocacy. • Maintain and grow knowledge in a specialized area of law and competence in related areas of law. • Support, promote and participate in community education, outreach and develop good public relations with client community, state and local bar, and other community groups. • Perform other duties and projects as needed to support JALA’s mission. Qualifications: • Member in good standing of The Florida Bar. • Minimum of 2 - 4 years of experience in marital and family law. • Strong organizational skills and ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing. • Demonstrate resourcefulness and ability to take initiative in the development and completion of projects. • Computer literate includes proficiency in Microsoft and Google applications. Compensation: $67,450 to start
• Perform intake interviews of applicants and assist in screening regarding eligibility for representation. • Advice and counsel for individuals seeking legal assistance. • Draft pleadings, motions, and legal documents. • Representation regarding injunctions for protection. • Representation of clients in hearings and at trial. • Ensure that all applicable client files, data, and reports are accurate and complete. • Comply with all applicable regulations, policies, and grant requirements. • Direct and monitor activities of paralegals, legal assistants, and/or volunteers. • Maintain a caseload commensurate with abilities in order to provide full and effective legal representation and advocacy. • Maintain and grow knowledge in a specialized area of law and competence in related areas of law. • Support, promote and participate in community education, outreach and develop good public relations with client community, state and local bar, and other community groups. • Perform other duties and projects as needed to support JALA’s mission.