Legal Services Director jobs in Florida

Be a part of an organization making a difference in the Central Florida community. As an Orlando Business Journal’s 2021 Best Places to Work Honoree and Orlando Sentinel’s 2022 Best Workplaces Honoree, 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
• Excellent physical/mental health, vision, and benefits (With 95% of benefits paid for by company)
• 100% Coverage with Dental Benefits, Life Insurance, Long/Short Term Disability
• 100% 403B match
• 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 fill the following position:

Director of Litigation

OVERVIEW 

The Director of Litigation works with leadership, managing attorneys, and staff attorneys to bring high-impact cases to address systemic breakdowns identified through our direct client representation. The Director of Litigation is responsible for supporting, refining, building, and maintaining best practice approaches to support and assist the legal team at CLS. A significant focus of the position is mentoring attorneys across CLS in developing litigation skills.  

RESPONSIBILITIES 

1. Provide dynamic, motivational leadership for high-quality, impactful, and innovative legal representation and advocacy to CLS’s legal team.   

1. Support, teach, and model effective litigation and advocacy approaches in state and federal courts, administrative proceedings, and the community.  

1. Mentor and develop attorneys at all levels at CLS, teaching litigation skills and strategies while ensuring they remain current on procedural and substantive law. 

1. Lead substantive law units at CLS to maximize the impact of litigation. 

1. Lead litigation teams, coordinate a strategic approach to litigation, and coordinate large scale projects. 

1. Evaluate forums for solving issues in advance of litigation.  

1. Directly handle cases within CLS priorities as attorney of records or coverage counsel, involving impact litigation and cases with media attention. 

1. Co-counsel, coordinate, and advise on all levels of litigation, including complex litigation.  

1. Develop tools and guidelines that facilitate efficient and effective litigation. 

1. Act as a resource on Rules Regulating the Florida Bar and the American Bar Association Model Rules of Professional Conduct.   

1. Generate critical and strategic thinking among staff in pursuit of CLS’ mission.   

1. Collaborate with the Director of Advocacy to identify areas of greatest impact, develop strategic advocacy goals, develop response strategies, and assist in advancing those goals.   

1. Develop litigation and advocacy strategies with a focus on CLS’s priorities, community need and systemic issues.  

1. Collaborate and communicate CLS’s strategic litigation goals to staff, partners, and stakeholders.   

1. Set numeric and programmatic goals, review and analyze regularly and adjust to meet performance goals. 

1. Identify, lead, and coordinate the use of media as it relates to client matters and impact litigation.  

1. Work with the Pro Bono Team to involve private law firms, corporate counsel, and private attorneys in co-counseling and supporting legal work.   

1. Utilize the ability to simultaneously coordinate multiple cases in State and Federal courts, while also monitoring and co-counseling cases handled by staff attorneys. 

1. Handle administrative and management tasks, including grant compliance, personnel supervision and quality assurance evaluations, staff retention, private bar relations, and strategic planning.  

1. Engage in other tasks and duties as assigned to facilitate the mission and operations of CLS.  

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. 

2.  Background and Experience  

1. Juris Doctorate with 15 years of experience in the practice of law with the majority of experience in litigation.  
2. Must be licensed to practice law in the State of Florida and a member in good standing. 
3. Strong Reputation among the legal community.  
4. Extensive experience in civil litigation with a record of success. 
5. Thorough knowledge on the Florida and Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Discovery.  
6. Experience in varied civil practice areas preferred.  
7. Experience practicing in both State and Federal Court as lead counsel. 
8. Significant trial experience.  
9. Highly polished presentation and organizational skills, with the ability to engage a broad staff and client constituency effectively and consistently. 
10. Experience and expertise to conceptualize new and appropriate litigation and advocacy strategies and translate them into achievable plans.  
11. Must possess excellent legal project management skills.
12. Demonstrated ability to "see the big picture" and provide strategic advice and input while also executing tactically policies and procedures. 
13. Proficiency with MS Office Suite. 
14. Proof of insurance necessary.
15. Valid driver’s license with ability to travel, working both scheduled and flexible work hours, including some or weekends and evenings to perform duties within the CLS 12 county service area.  

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.  

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 based on 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.