Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc. (FRLS) was founded in 1966 as a private, non-profit corporation. FRLS provides free civil legal assistance to indigent families and low-income elderly people in thirteen Central and South-Central Florida counties. FRLS also provides legal assistance to migrant workers throughout the state of Florida. Today, FRLS has four Regional Offices and four satellite offices and over 80 staff members, including 40 attorneys. FRLS helps clients with consumer protection and economic stability, family protection, victims services, housing protection and homelessness prevention; we also provide services to vulnerable populations including Seniors and Migrant Farmworkers. Our mission is to empower low-income individuals, groups and communities by providing them with access to justice through community outreach and education as well as legal advice, representation, and advocacy.
OVERVIEW OF OPPORTUNITIES
FRLS has implemented several phases of its program-wide reorganization plan to fill needed leadership gaps and to improve client services; we are also advertising to fill various executive leadership vacancies.
EEOC STATEMENT
Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc., does not discriminate in employment based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.
Current Vacancies
Job title:
Equal Justice Works Disaster Resilience Fellow (Attorney)
Department:
Lawyer (Full Time)
Reports to:
Managing Attorney or LSC Disaster Project Manager
FLSA:
Exempt
Location: Ft. Myers 9/1/2023-8/31/2025
Job Overview
Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc. provides free legal assistance to low-income clients in 14 counties and to migrant farm workers throughout the State of Florida. The purpose of this position is to provide civil legal assistance to indigent persons affected by the disasters specified and approved by the program policies and priorities on such matters as individual rights, housing, public benefits, elder law, family law, consumer rights, education, and employment law.
FRLS provides no-cost legal community outreach and comprehensive legal services to help low-income individuals and household needs during their disaster recovery. Legal services to be provided include, but are not limited to foreclosures, bankruptcies, flood insurance proof of loss preparation and FEMA Flood Directorate Appeals, FEMA recoupment defense, applications for disaster tax relief, civil and disability rights cases, legal counsel for community-based organizations on rebuilding plans, litigation to redress systemic disaster
response problems. landlord/tenant Issues concerning repair issues, non-repair, mold concealment, etc., disputes regarding home elevation certificates and flood plain zoning, disputes regarding significant damage determination against homeowners.
FRLS will take a holistic approach and offer all legal aid services that are available to individual and household needs.
The Disaster Resilience Fellow will assist in the provision of legal services to disaster recovery clients and the attorneys who are involved in the disaster recovery cases stemming from Hurricane Ian.
The Disaster Resilience Fellow is under the supervision of the Managing Attorney or the LSC Disaster Project Manager.
EssentialFunctions
1. Provide legal advice, referrals, and full representation to underserved Hurricane Ian
survivors
2. Identify areas for policy change and reform
3. Engage in outreach and education activities, such as Know-Your-Rights presentations.
4. Work with community partners to increase disaster preparedness and resilience.
5. Provides documentation, statistical information and other records as required
by the grant, Regional Managing Attorney, Deputy Director, or Executive Director.
6. Participates in case acceptance meetings.
7. Adheres to office hours, exhibits a strong work ethic and respect, provides
constructive feedback to other advocates on cases discussed.
8. Serve as a role model to support staff by promoting the values of hard work,
high quality advocacy and treating others with courtesy and respect.
9.Attempts to ensure accessibility of the local office(s) when necessary, by
serving clients, including rural clients, non-English speakingclients, and client with disabilities.
10.Promote good relations with the public, including client groups, service providers, press, and private bar, attending/speaking at local meetings asappropriate and approved by the Regional Managing Attorney/Project Manager, Deputy Directorand/or Executive Director.
11.Maintain an accurate follow-up system to review cases when needed.
12.Perform other duties as assigned.
13.The Fellow will attend the annual Equal Justice Works LeadershipDevelopment Training in fall of 2023 and fall of 2024, to developskills as public interest attorneys and leaders.
14. The Fellow will participatein two day in-person training as a cohort (likely to take place March 2025) in Gulfport, Florida, to developadditional core competencies as disaster-legal practitioners and to build professional,collaborative relationships with other Fellows and disaster stakeholders.
15. In March of each year, theFellow will conduct trainings and participate in sharing information and resources for disaster survivors and lawyers who are supporting communitie affected by disasters.
16. The Fellow will participate in monthly callson topics responsive to the Fellows’ interests and needs. The calls consist of a mix of substantive legal trainings and webinarsrelated to disaster law and professional development. Inaddition, Fellows will have access to individualized one-on-one technical assistance and caseconsultation with Equal Justice Works’ in house disaster law expert by phone, videochat, or email.
17. Final Learning Event: Withinthe last three months of the Fellowship, the Fellows will participate in a virtual final learningevent to solidify the experience and sustain the benefits of the program. This learning event maycoincide with the Fellow’s monthly call.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities - Required
1. Juris Doctorate from an ABA accredited lawschool.
2. Barred in Florida.
3. Knowledge of State and Federal courtpractices required.
4. Some knowledge of the legal system,commitment to the mission of FRLS and compassion for the clients.
5. Ability to forge positive relationships withprospects and colleagues.
6. Good organizational, interpersonal andcommunication skills.
7. Outstanding verbal and written skills
8. Ability to work collaboratively, yetindependently.
9. Must be able to effectively and efficientlybe able to maximize existing resources.
10.Working knowledge of Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, and
PowerPoint). Knowledge of CMS a plus.
11.Must be able to effectively work in high-pressure situations, which involve
deadlines.
12.Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary setting to facilitate a
coordinated community response an provide holistic services toclients.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities – Preferred
1. Prior disasterrelated legal experience
2. Experience withdelivering training and presentations
3. Diverse economic,social, and cultural experiences and a second language
Qualifications: Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
1. Must be competentand proficient in the use of Word and Microsoft Office
2. Draft/reviewsubstantive pleadings and motions for the Disaster Recovery Unit.
3. Timely initiationand response to motions and discovery associated with the selected cases.
4. Communicates in ahighly effective manner with FRLS’ Administration, Managing Attorneys/Disaster
Project Manager, unit members and clients.
5. Ability to worksuccessfully in a fast-paced, and evolving environment.
Working conditions
Thisposition operates in a professional work environment.
Physical requirements
1.This is a largely sedentary role, however, some lifting of office supplies of
up to 20 pounds may be required.
2.Must be able to travel throughout Florida, as needed.
Reports
1. Annual prioritysetting report
2. Monthly progressreports
EEOC Statement
FloridaRural Legal Services, Inc., does not discriminate in employment based on race,
color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national
origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability,
genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation,
parental status, military service, or other characteristic protected by
federal, state of local law.
Employee acknowledgment of receipt: ____________________________________
Date: _____________________
Physical address: 136 South Main Street, Suite C, Belle Glade, FL 33430
Mailing address: P.O. Box 1176, Belle Glade, FL 33430
This office serves the following counties: Belle Glade, Pahokee, South Bay, and Canal Point
Office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday
Phone: 1-888-582-3410
Fax: 561-993-0004
Address: 3210 Cleveland Avenue, Ste 101, Fort Myers, FL 33901
This office serves the following counties: Lee, Charlotte, Hendry, Glades, De Soto, and Hardee
Office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday
Phone: 239-334-4554
Fax: 239-334-3042
Physical address: 121 North 2nd Street, 4th Floor, Fort Pierce, FL 34950
Mailing address: P.O. Box 4517, Ft. Pierce, FL 34948
This office serves the following counties: Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee and St. Lucie
Office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday
Phone: 772-466-4766
Fax: 772-264-8145
Address: 106 S. 2nd Street, Immokalee, FL 34142
This office serves all counties in Florida
Office hours: 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday and Thursday
Phone: 239-657-3323
Fax: 239-657-3393
Physical Address: 1321 East Memorial Blvd, Ste 101, Lakeland, FL 33801
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 92020, Lakeland, FL 33804
This office serves the following counties: Hardee, Highlands, and Polk
Office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday
Phone: 863-688-7376
Fax: 863-683-7861
Apply
General Public:
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Call 1-888-582-3410
Farmworkers:
8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Call 1-855-771-3077
Or Apply Online
TTY: 800-955-8771
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