Career Opportunities

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: _____________________