All positions will remain open until filled, but we will review applicants on a rolling basis. Applicants are encouraged to apply early for consideration. Please submit all application materials as soon as possible.

Location: Full-Time Position | Lakeland, FL

FRLS is working with administration and Regional Office staff to transition from remote work schedules and is currently providing comprehensive legal services to clients through a hybrid office work model. This Management level position, responsible for overseeing all Regional Office case acceptance, case review, education and outreach as well as providing mentoring and co-counseling services, will be expected to report to the Regional Office regularly, but no less than two days a week during our hybrid transition.

SUPERVISEES: Staff Attorneys, Paralegals & Regional Office Support Staff
SUPERVISOR: Deputy Director and Advocacy Director
 

Please review the specific job posting for more details. Salary Base on experience. Apply Below.

JOB OVERVIEW: The position of Regional Managing Attorney (RMA) will provide excellent management and supervision to attorneys and paralegals through mentoring, case reviews, co-counseling and general oversight of outreach, intake, case selection and case planning processes and evaluation of staff performance. The RMA will also oversee grants awarded to their respective Regional Office and will plan for grant project success, including working with administration to ensure grants are implemented, grant services are administered properly and that grant funding is expended. The RMA will also provide training and mentoring to new office staff and paralegals and will ensure program case goals are met by regional office staff. Provides regular regional office updates. Participates in community groups and on community service boards and stakeholder groups. Conducts performance evaluations of advocates.

REQUIREMENTS AND EXPERIENCES: Five years of Management experience required. At least five years preferred, in federal litigation, preferably in the areas of consumer rights, public and employment benefits, housing, family/custody protection, farm worker law or immigration. Ability and willingness to supervise and develop advocate litigation skills and manage regional office under a business model to include management of client trust accounts, litigation calendars, pro bono coordination, community education and outreach and working with program administration to ensure office success. Admission to the Florida Bar is required.

JOB DESCRIPTION/RESPONSIBILITIES: Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc. is a private not for profit corporation which receives funds from the Legal Services Corporation (LSC). It provides free legal assistance to low income and vulnerable clients in 13 counties and to migrant farm workers throughout the State of Florida. Our agency has a strong 55-year history of providing high quality services in Central and South-Central Florida since 1966.
This management level position will involve the oversight and leadership of staff attorneys, paralegals and support staff within a designated regional office location. An applicant should have five (5) years of management and leadership experience, preferably in a legal services environment, as well as experience in federal court practice.
FRLS’ mission is to provide accessible legal assistance that empowers the low income and disadvantaged population through; effective and high-quality advocacy, community education and outreach to persons isolated by rural geography, language barriers, or other circumstances contributing to poverty. FRLS strives to eliminate poverty through comprehensive legal services works to promote equal justice and support clients in their efforts to be independent and able to be productive citizens.

FRLS’ key values include holistic advocacy with an emphasis on obtaining individual relief that will affect or change outcomes for others as well.

The following outlines some of the more salient responsibilities of this position:
• Excellent leadership and Management history and proven ability to lead an office staff.
• A desire to serve low- income individuals and a dedication to program mission of service
• Ability and desire to work collaboratively with FRLS executive leadership
• Ability to meet case goals for Management staff and ensure case goals are met for office advocates
• Works to ensure office excellence and leadership abilities to address office issues timely and effectively
• Leads and offers mentoring and co-counseling on advocacy and case filings
• Sets a positive example by exhibiting a strong work ethic, excellent communication skills and treating clients with courtesy and respect
• Experience providing feedback as needed for job performance evaluation and provides feedback in performance evaluation of assigned staff
• Serves as the formal Manager of all advocates in the respective regional office
• Arranges for daily supervision of all advocates, working with lead and senior attorneys when needed
• Conducts regular reviews/discussions of individual advocates’ cases and utilizes case data reports to recommend improved services depending on the needs of the office
• Reviews case opening memos for compliance with priorities and full development of potential avenues of relief.
• Ensures mentoring for new advocates during their first year of practice (see Addendum for description of mentor duties).
• Ensures case updates and stays informed about current work and workloads of advocates, making adjustments in work assignments as needed.
• Reviews case opening memoranda of all advocates in the office.
• Is accessible to office advocates to answer questions and solve problems with an open-door approach to resolution of issues.
• Reviews all substantial written work of advocates prior to filing.
• To the extent practicable, attempts to be actively involved in the work being performed by other advocates in the office.
• Scheduled review of closed cases.
• Ability to work with members of management and administration
• Manages office advocacy, ensuring cases are appropriately distributed and promptly assigned, makes provision for serving clients facing emergencies, and regularly updates administration of grants and office projects and gives notice to leadership of any significant changes in the office
• Manages case acceptance/assignment process, using regularly scheduled office meetings and/or other processes.
• Plans and monitors an appropriate client outreach and education system and schedule as needed for the regional office.
• Accepts, documents and resolves, at the first level, all client grievances and other complaints about service issues or denial of service by the local office.

• Monitors and promotes accessibility of the local office to clients, including rural clients, non-English speaking clients and clients with disabilities.
• Makes decisions promptly, delegating authority and obtaining input from FRLS executive leadership when appropriate.
• Regularly reviews cases where representation has been denied and to ensure justification for service denial.
• Promotes good relations with public, including client groups, service providers, press and private bar, attending/speaking at local meetings and outreach events.
• Participates in hiring process for regional office staff.
• Participates actively and constructively in legal work management meetings.
• Provides timely reports and data upon request for grant application, fundraising, public relations and other program needs.
• Keeps central administrative informed of issues relating to effectiveness of the office and individual staff.
• Is familiar with FRLS policies, as well as requirements of LSC and other funders, and enforces these policies and requirements within the respective regional office
• Works with FRLS Communications and Management team to ensure sufficient notice of office services to potential clients and partners and ensures good stories and outcomes are submitted regularly.
 

ADDENDUM – DUTIES OF MENTOR
Each new attorney is assigned a mentor for his/her first year of employment at FRLS. In most cases, the mentor is the Regional Managing Attorney. However, in large offices, or where the managing attorney is unable to mentor all attorneys, and Senior staff attorney may be substituted to serve as office mentor.
The duties of the mentor are to ensure that the following occurs:
• Makes the new attorney aware of available program resources and administrative contacts, community partners, training opportunities, case goals, etc.
• Makes the new attorney aware of program policies and funder requirements, per program policies and manuals.
• Assures that the new attorney is introduced to the community, including courts, public officials, client groups, bar associations, advocacy groups and service agencies.
• Arranges for the new attorney to observe depositions, hearings, oral arguments, etc., by leading program advocates, including the mentor and other office staff.
• Assist the new attorney in preparing and practicing for hearings, arguments, deposition, etc.
• Ensures that the new attorney has opportunity for supervised motion or trial work promptly after she is admitted to practice.
• Attend and assist the new attorney for at least her first three hearings, depositions, arguments, etc.
• Provides needed support to assist the new attorney in passing the Florida Bar examination.
• Assists the new attorney in gaining admission under the student practice or out-of state attorney rule, if applicable.

• Serves as a role model to promote the values of hard work, high quality advocacy and treating staff with courtesy and respect and providing respectful communication to clients, grantors and community partners.
• Provides an excellent example of collaborating with FRLS leadership
• Assists the new attorney in developing cases or other advocacy project with substantial impact during his/her first year at FRLS.

Other
The Regional Managing Attorney of Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc. is not subject to the FRLS collective bargaining agreements.
 

EEOC Statement:
Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc., does not discriminate in employment on the basis of 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.

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