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. 

This management level position will involve the oversight and leadership of staff attorneys, paralegals, and support staff within a designated regional office location. 

This position reports directly to the Advocacy Director.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Excellent leadership and Management history and proven ability to lead an office staff.

2. A desire to serve low- income individuals and a dedication to program mission of service

3. Ability and desire to work collaboratively with FRLS executive leadership

4. Ability to meet case goals for Management staff and ensure case goals are met for office advocates

5. Works to ensure office excellence and leadership abilities to address office issues timely and effectively

6. Leads and offers mentoring and co-counseling on advocacy and case filings

7. Sets a positive example by exhibiting a strong work ethic, excellent communication skills and treating clients with courtesy and respect

8. Experience providing feedback as needed for job performance evaluation and provides feedback in performance evaluation of assigned staff

9. Serves as the formal Manager of all advocates in the respective regional office

10. Arranges for daily supervision of all advocates, working with lead and senior attorneys when needed

11. Conducts regular reviews/discussions of individual advocates’ cases and utilizes case data reports to recommend improved services depending on the needs of the office

12. Reviews case opening memos for compliance with priorities and full development of potential avenues of relief.

13. Ensures mentoring for new advocates during their first year of practice (see Addendum for description of mentor duties).

14. Ensures case updates and stays informed about current work and workloads of advocates, adjusting in work assignments as needed.

15. Reviews case opening memoranda of all advocates in the office.

16. Is accessible to office advocates to answer questions and solve problems with an open-door approach to resolution of issues.

17. Reviews all substantial written work of advocates prior to filing.

18. To the extent practicable, attempts to be actively involved in the work being performed by other advocates in the office.

19. Scheduled review of closed cases.

20. Ability to work with members of management and administration

21. 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

22. Manages case acceptance/assignment process, using regularly scheduled office meetings and/or other processes.

23. Plans and monitors an appropriate client outreach and education system and schedule as needed for the regional office.

24. 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.

25. Monitors and promotes accessibility of the local office to clients, including rural clients, non-English speaking clients and clients with disabilities.

26. Makes decisions promptly, delegating authority and obtaining input from FRLS executive leadership when appropriate.

27. Regularly reviews cases where representation has been denied and ensure justification for service denial.

28. Promotes good relations with the public, including client groups, service providers, press and private bar, attending/speaking at local meetings and outreach events.

29. Participates in the hiring process for regional office staff.

30. Participates actively and constructively in legal work management meetings.

31. Provides timely reports and data upon request for grant application, fundraising, public relations and other program needs.

32. Keeps central administrative informed of issues relating to the effectiveness of the office and individual staff.

33. 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

34. 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.

35. 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 offices 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.

1. Juris Doctorate from an ABA accredited law school. 

2. Five years of Management experience required.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. Barred in Florida. 

6. Knowledge of State and Federal court practices required. 

7. Some knowledge of the legal system, commitment to the mission of FRLS and 

compassion for the clients. 

8. Ability to forge positive relationships with prospects and colleagues. 

9. Good organizational, interpersonal and communication skills. 

10. Ability to work collaboratively, yet independently. 

11. Must be able to effectively and efficiently be able to maximize existing resources. 

12. Working knowledge of Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint). 

13. Knowledge of CMS a plus. 

14. Must be able to effectively work in high-pressure situations, which involve deadlines. 

15. Bilingual Spanish/Haitian Creole preferred but not required. 

Working Conditions:

This position operates in a professional work environment.

Physical Conditions:

1. This is a largely sedentary role, however, some lifting of office supplies of up to 20 pounds may be required.

2. Must be able to travel throughout Florida, as needed.

Reports:

1. Attorneys, Paralegals and Office Manager.

Salary and Benefits: 

The salary range for this position $76,936-$106,435 based on experience, plus a 10% Regional Managing Attorney stipend. FRLS offers a very generous benefits package that includes 403(b) with employer-paid contribution; health insurance (medical, dental, and vision) for employees and their dependents; malpractice insurance; paid leave (up to 5 weeks of PTO, 2 personal days, and 13 holidays); law school loan repayment assistance. FRLS Regional Managing Attorneys operate in an in-office environment, requiring work in their assigned office five days a week. 

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