Staff Attorney

The Bilingual (Spanish/English) Staff Attorney is a professional role. Focuses on representing clients in litigation and other legal proceedings before the Executive Office for Immigration Review, administrative agencies, state or federal courts. The Staff Attorney reports to the Legal Director and, on special projects or cases, may be reporting to a senior attorney.

Orlando Center for Justice, Inc. (OCJ)'s mission is to bridge the access to justice gap in Florida for newcomers by helping these underserved communities navigate the legal system through education and innovation. We also walk alongside them, advocate and help amplify their voice. We currently provide direct legal assistance with family immigration needs, child advocacy in state court, preparation of wills, uncontested divorces, small business consultations and deportation defense. Our vision is to expand to do more to serve domestic violence victims and children and to expand to serve in other areas such as family law matters, mediation, and continued support for local small business development. We provide legal services in the Orlando and Ft. Pierce areas.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Represent clients in courts and before government agencies.
• Conduct legal consultations, advise clients concerning their legal rights, merits of their cases and related matters. Conduct orientations as part of the community outreach activities of the organization including participation in legal clinics and program's data management.
• Prepare and review legal writings such as legal memoranda, legal briefs, case summaries, motions and other documents for the court or government agencies and track case progress via case management software.
• Conduct research and analysis of legal data using the provided technology and other available resources. Interpret laws, rulings and regulations applicable to cases assigned. Evaluate findings, gather evidence, and develop strategies and arguments in preparation for presentation of cases. Confer with colleagues with specialties in appropriate areas of legal issue to establish and verify bases for legal proceedings.
• Prepare clients for hearings or interviews.
• Participate in training and complete requirements for continuing legal education as per the organization's policies and other applicable licensing regulations.
• Participate in community clinics, Know Your Rights presentations and other programs and events that OCJ may be a part of throughout the year.
• Interview and work with young children including travel to shelters across Central Florida.
• Manage and supervise assigned legal assistants, as well as collaborate with colleagues to develop strategies and solutions for complex legal issues.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive

listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without previous notice.

Education:

• J.D Required
• State bar license required.

Qualifications:

• Service/Client Orientation — Actively looking for ways to help people. Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
• Collaboration Skills — Ability to effectively work with others.
• Judgment and Decision Making — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Communication - Ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. Ability to read and understand and communicate to others information and ideas presented in writing. The ability to speak clearly so others can understand.
• Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Time Management – Ability to effectively manage one's own time and the time of others
• Language - Ability to speak and write Spanish fluently.

Travel Time:

Travel is primarily local during the business day. Occasional out-of-the-area and out of the state travel may be expected. Must possess a valid state-authorized driver's license.

Work Environment:

This job operates mostly in an office environment. In this role the employee routine

uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, fax

cabinets and fax machines, etc.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. This position requires working long hours, including weekends as needed. The employee is required to talk, write and hear constantly.

AAP/EEO Statement

Orlando Center for Justice provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and employment applicants without regard to unlawful considerations of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status or any other classification protected by applicable local, state or federal laws.

Must possess work authorization according to the United States Immigration and Nationality Act.

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Holiday time off
• Mental Health time off
• Birthday time off
• Vision insurance
• Hybrid work option available

Language:

• Spanish (Required)

Salary commensurate with experience. Salary ranges from $62,500, depending on experience.