Public Benefits Attorney

Role Overview

• Responsible for substantial compliance with the CCLA Program Priority Plan within their areas of specialization and consonant with the Legal Services Corporation guidelines
• Responsible for all phases of case work, interviewing clients and witnesses, discovery, investigations, negotiations, legal research, hearings and appeals
• Responsible for supervising legal interns and paralegals who have been assigned to cases within their practice areas
• Attends unit meetings, complies with all program and unit forms and directives, completes monthly case reports, report to the unit on development in their area of expertise and train the paralegals and legal interns assigned to work in their areas
• Conducts client interviews to gather information, investigates fact situations, gathers and evaluates evidence, witnesses, drafts letters, emails, memoranda, pleadings, briefs, assists with applications and appeals, completes forms, reviews agency notices, reviews medical records or other client documents, and performs legal research
• Advises and represents clients in SSDI/SSI cases, including representing clients at hearings before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), in Appeals Council appeals, and potentially in Federal Court as applicable
• Advises and represents clients in reemployment assistance cases, including representing clients at administrative hearings before referees and in appeals to the RAAC
• Advises and represents clients in SNAP/TANF cases, including representing clients in administrative hearings with DCF
• Advise and represent clients in healthcare related cases, including Medicaid, Medicare, Marketplace and other denials of healthcare or services
• Frequent communication with clients and outside agencies; in person, on the phone, and via email
• Working closely, as part of a team with numerous attorneys and paralegals
• Returns client’s calls/emails in a timely manner, maintain records, case notes, and daily timekeeping in CCLAs case management system
• Performs community outreach events in person and/or virtually, as well as, on social media and conduct educational training for staff, clients, and community providers, in accordance with CCLA’s outreach policy, and as needed
• Keeps track of and meets deadlines and hearing dates
• Compliant with program and grant requirements
• Performs all other duties as assigned and/or requested by Management, Supervisors, or as required by grant(s)

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) and admission to the Florida Bar in good standing
• Bi-lingual English/Spanish or English/Haitian Creole (spoken and written) preferred
• Prior public benefit experience, particularly with SSDI/SSI or reemployment assistance is a plus
• Capable of acting with substantial degree of independence and responsibility in this professional capacity
• Experience or demonstrated interest in working with people with disabilities and/or lower socioeconomic status preferred
• Flexible, effective, written and oral communication skills
• Ability to multitask, organize, detail-oriented, prioritize, and manage a diverse case load
• Must have the ability to work efficiently and independently with supervision
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills
• Professional demeanor and client-oriented focus
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Due to funder requirements, all applicants must pass a background check before employment begins

Benefits

• medical, vision, dental (100% employer paid for individual coverage)
• life, short-term, long-term disability insurance (100% employer paid coverage)
• supplemental insurance
• 403(b) plan (tax-sheltered annuity plan) with an employer contribution
• pays attorney’s Florida bar dues
• Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits
• student loan payment assistance
• substantial discounts on gym memberships, parks, travel, pet insurance
• substantial paid time off package which includes vacation, sick leave and over 12 holidays a year
• flexible work schedule by temporarily working a hybrid schedule 2 days in the office and 3 days working remotely