Legal Services Director jobs in Tampa, FL

Bay Area Legal Services is a nonprofit law firm serving the Tampa Bay area for over 50 years. We assist low-income residents, veterans, seniors, children, domestic violence survivors, and many more.

Our Mission: Providing the highest quality legal counsel by:

• Assisting individuals and nonprofit groups with limited access to legal services
• Resolving the legal problems of our clients
• Preserving the independence, hope, and dignity of those we serve.

Our Vision: Creating pathways to justice though high-quality legal services, education and community partnerships.

Our firm includes over 140 dedicated staff members comprised of attorneys, paralegals, and support staff who work to carry out our mission and vision daily.

Position Title: Administrative Assistant Legal (Full-time) – Office Location: Tampa, FL, Hillsborough County (Children’s Law Center in Downtown Tampa)

Position Summary: Bay Area Legal Services (BALS) is seeking to fill a full-time position to provide support for our attorneys by interfacing with clients in support of case management, performing administrative duties including tracking and compiling case information, entering specific case information into case management system, and running grant reports if needed. Proofreading documents, modifying documents, and scheduling meetings and case related events. Handling client calls, logging faxes, correspondence etc. into case files and case management system as required. Opportunity for participation in special projects and support for occasional community outreach.

Applicants seeking employment with us should understand and share our commitment to the BALS’ mission and vision, and be willing to abide by the five core values of Bay Area Legal Services.

Illustrative Duties: 

• Initial Case Management – initial data intake/application for extended services & steps required to determine eligibility for extended services.  
• Ongoing Case Support–Log incoming mail and track deadlines/calendar court dates etc., Enter attorney activity on all calendars. Assist with scheduling translators/interpreters and prepare payment for these as necessary, log and track client court ordered classes/deadlines, disclosures, updated financial affidavits etc. Assist with correspondence, phone calls, preparing and proofreading documents for submission etc. Also assist attorney with draft pleadings, Final Judgments, Orders, Settlement Agreements. Preparation of documents for hearings, depositions, service of process, subpoenas, etc. Communication with support staff in other law firms. E-filing court documents. Preparation of trial notebooks
• Case Closure – Prepare closing letters and client evaluation/satisfaction surveys, copy & file surveys if returned, Complete/review closing check list prior to closing file in Legal Server, Complete LSC compliance checklist prior to official closing of file, review with & verify Team Leader check off is complete, Close briefs & files in case management system
• General Office Support- Assist other office administrative assistants with matters related to office supplies and machinery, closed file maintenance and general office coverage.
• Grant Reporting – Submit forms to team leader or project director as needed. Provide data for grants and funding agencies (i.e. LSC, LHK, LITC, VOCA, etc.)
• Various other Admin. support duties – Prepare copies, help distribute mail, prepare outgoing mail (certified), maintain hard copy files, phones, fax etc.
• Community Outreach - On occasion provide support for outreach events to educate various under-served communities about services offered. 

Minimum Qualifications: 

• High School Diploma or Equivalent Certificate of Completion (GED) with 3 years of experience as administrative assistant and 1 of these years in a Legal Administrative Assistant or Legal Administrative Support Position.
• Intermediate level proficiency with MS Office software, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills, very detailed and deadline oriented.
• Ability to interview clients to determine essential facts and issues with regard to the nature and severity of their legal problems.
• Ability to work responsibly and independently, being a contributing team member, and comfortable with case management and organizing files and data.
• Ability and willingness to work in close contact with staff on legal problems of clients and to accept supervision and instruction.
• Sympathetic and compassionate understanding of the social, economic and legal issues faced by low-income individuals with limited access to such services. Ability to relate well and effectively with diverse groups and individuals.

Preferred Qualifications:  

• Experience with a non-profit organization and bilingual a plus.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills. 
• Demonstrated success working as an effective team member.

Compensation: 

• Starting hourly rate for external applicants is $17.82/hr (increases based on relevant experience). 
• Also, excellent benefits and reimbursement for travel for work related events.

Bay Area Legal Services is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, nationality, sex, or veteran status.