Description:
A Non-Profit Organization is a Legal Services Corporation (LSC) funded, non-profit organization. CCLA provides free civil legal services to low-income and other eligible residents of Broward County and is located in Plantation, Florida, a suburb of Fort Lauderdale. Our mission is to improve the lives of low-income persons in our community through advocacy, education, representation, and empowerment. We provide assistance in the areas of Family Law, Economic Advocacy & Community Health (public benefits), and Senior Law for clients age 60 and older. We believe all individuals are entitled to quality civil legal representation and equal access to justice, regardless of their income.Currently CCLA is seeking a Temporary Attorney Housing/Consumer to work in our Senior Law Unit for 6 months. The Housing/Consumer Attorney is responsible for litigating mortgage/condo/HOA foreclosures, eviction defense, and other housing-related matters, debt and garnishment defense, and other consumer-related matters. The Senior Law Unit provides legal counseling and/or representation to Broward County residents who are 60 years of age or older in various areas, such as Housing, Health and Public Benefits, Consumer, Naturalization, Elder Abuse, and Financial Exploitation.
Specific Role & Responsibilities:
- Conducts interviews with clients and witnesses.
- Answer client related phone calls, keep detailed notes, keep court calendar updated.
- Advise clients regarding housing and consumer law issues and their legal rights.
- Interpret and analyze statutes and relevant case law. Undertake necessary legal research and writing.
- Analyze probable outcome of cases, using knowledge of legal precedent.
- Develop strategies and arguments in preparing and presenting cases.
- Engage in troubleshooting and prioritize cases.
- Analyze client documents.
- Preparation of legal documents for clients' housing and consumer law cases. Prepare relevant motions and orders.
- Prepare clients for testimony at court hearings.
- Attend court hearings and trials.
- Search for and examine public and legal records to support cases.
- Assess relevance of witnesses and evidence.
- Represent clients in court.
- Engage in discovery and depositions.
- Supervise paralegals. Assign work to paralegals and intern, review all legal work, and monitor workload.
- Communicate case progress, status, issues and outcomes to supervising attorneys.
- Oversee status of cases through case management system.
- Perform community outreach events in-person and virtually, as well as, on social media, and conduct educational trainings for staff, clients, and community providers, as needed.
- Maintain records, case notes and daily time-keeping in CCLA's case management system.
- Preparation of grant reports, if necessary.
- Compliance with program and grant requirements.
- Obtain cross-training in all legal areas handled by Unit.
- Perform other duties as requested by Management, Supervisors, or as required by grant(s).
Position Requirements:
- Licensed to practice in Florida and in good standing.
- 2-5 years or more litigation experience, preferably in foreclosure and/or eviction defense.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, as direct client contact is part of the position.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently and manage a varied caseload is essential.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Professional demeanor and client-oriented focus.
- Strong computer skills, proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Word and Excel.
- Proficiency in using virtual platforms to communicate (i.e., Zoom, MS Teams).
- Due to funder requirements, all applicants must pass a background check before employment begins.
