Legal Assistant-Public Benefits Unit

Be a part of an organization making a difference in the Central Florida community! As an Orlando Business Journals 2021 Best Places to Work Honoree, Orlando Sentinels 2022 Best Workplaces Honoree, and a SHRM Mental Health Ally, Community Legal Services (CLS) is a full service civil legal aid law firm that promotes equal access to justice, specifically for the most vulnerable individuals in our society.

CLS offers:

- 15 paid holidays and 24 days of paid time off

- 100% employer-paid health, dental, life, and disability insurance, plus vision coverage at minimal employee cost

- 100% 403B match after 1 year of employment (5%)

- CLS pays Bar Dues and CLE Credits

- Student loan reimbursement for Attorneys

- Tuition Reimbursement

- Ability to apply for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

- Fantastic work-life balance

- Various opportunities for upward mobility into leadership/more advanced roles

- Pet Insurance

- Wellness Committee dedicated to employee morale, with events such as company wide retreats, activities, and challenges!

CLS is currently searching for a service-minded, mission driven individual to fulfill the following position:

Legal Assistant-Public Benefits Unit

OVERVIEW

Reports to and receives general directions from Managers, Staff Attorneys or designee. Provides clerical and administrative services to attorneys, or paralegals, and may provide specific services to clients under the direction of an attorney or paralegal.

RESPONSIBILITIES

- Conducts initial client intake and assist clients in completing applications.

- Makes initial determination of clients financial eligibility for program services and appropriate referrals.

- Maintain active case files and keep calendars up to date with appointments, court or administrative hearing dates, etc. for assigned attorneys and paralegals.

- Prepare and draft high volume of legal pleadings , correspondences, and other documents as directed.

- Assure that responses on defaults, answers, etc. are filed in a timely manner and copies are sent to appropriate recipients.

- Transcribe from notes or dictating equipment into correspondence, minutes, reports, etc.

- Answer telephones, accesses assigned attorneys or paralegals email and voicemail as assigned for specific purposes, inputs appropriate entries into online system and provides appropriate responses and other secretarial services as required .

- Utilize Lexis/Westlaw and other software to input data, obtain and complete forms, obtain documentation, etc. as requested.

- Assist in the gathering of information for administrative hearings, pre-litigation investigation, or litigation discovery process.

- Assist in the gathering and organizing of exhibits, documents, trial data and other materials as needed.

- Draft service of process documents and execute appropriate affidavits. Serve witness subpoenas and other papers as requested.

- File legal papers with appropriate courts or agencies, and conducts outreach for the purpose of identifying clients and making presentations.

- Serve as lunch and break relief at the reception area and, on occasion, as back-up for other support staff.

- As requested, participate in fund-raising, public relations programs, other outside activities

- Responsible for tending to equipment, supplies, or other tools necessary to ensure the smooth running of the law office.

- Ensuring office is polished and upkept especially for arrival of new hires, clients and guests. Communicates with maintenance when necessary.

- Greet clients, applicants, and other visitors in a polite manor; answers telephone and refers callers to appropriate staff members/other CLS Offices and agencies

- Open and deliver mail and provides other clerical services as necessary.

- Participate in outreach events as assigned

- May perform duties of the work of higher or lower classified positions, as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS

1. Commitment

a. Demonstrating commitment to promoting the mission, vision, and values of CLS.

b. Unwavering dedication to high-quality legal programs, fiscal strength, and organizational integrity.

c. Ability to travel to the CLS counties as needed to provide organizational support.

2. Background and Experience

- AA degree in any field; paralegal or legal assistant studies preferred.

- Possesses excellent communications and writing skills, is highly self-motivated, professional, and capable of independently managing workload and prioritizing tasks in a fast-paced legal environment with minimal supervision.

- Excellent phone manner and professional customer service ability required, with superior organizational and highly polished communication while addressing issues to low income clients.

- Microsoft Office Suite proficiency required.

- Ability to perform duties and attend meetings and/or other functions throughout 12 county service area with the possibility of working nights or weekends occasionally

- Valid Florida automobile license in order to travel on behalf of CLS, use of own auto, and proof of insurance necessary.

3 . Physical Requirements

a. Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

b. Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at times.

STARTING PAY: $21 an hour, more with experience.

GENERAL STATEMENT

CLS is an Equal Opportunity Employer: We value a diverse workforce and the promotion of inclusive culture at all levels.

CLS does not discriminate against any employee or qualified applicant for employment from all qualified individuals on the basis of age, race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, marital or familial status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, sex, disability, socio-economic position, religion, political belief, protected genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable Federal or State law.

The statements contained in this job description reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility. It should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods or otherwise to balance the workload.