Litigation and Training Manager

Description

Mission Statement: The mission of Florida Rural Legal Services is to empower low-income individuals, groups, and communities by providing them with access to justice through legal advice, representation, and advocacy. 

Position Overview: The Litigation and Training Manager is a management level attorney position who reports directly to the Advocacy Director. The Litigation Manager is responsible for supporting the Advocacy Director and Deputy Director in shaping and implementing the organization’s legal advocacy strategy. The role involves collaborating with and guiding attorneys, paralegals, and support staff, overseeing legal work, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality legal services to underserved communities. The Litigation Manager will primarily focus on litigation, training, and compliance. This person will lead FRLS’s advocacy training and will cover for the Advocacy Director when the Advocacy Director is unavailable. 

Essential Functions

The Litigation and Training Manager will assist the Advocacy Director with the following:

• Case Management & Strategy: Developing and implementing litigation strategies. Overseeing case management, including offering feedback on case assignment, assisting with trial preparation, and coordination of legal resources for litigation.
• Team Leadership: Guide and supervise the substantive law workgroups. Supervise, mentor, and provide guidance to attorneys, paralegals, and legal support staff. Foster a collaborative environment focused on professional growth and high-quality legal service delivery.
• Litigation Support: Take a lead role in significant cases, including co-counselling, drafting pleadings, conducting depositions, representing clients in court, and negotiating settlements. Ensure thorough preparation and effective courtroom representation. Serve as a thought leader on litigation strategy. The Litigation Manager will be expected to consult with and support both new and experienced attorneys in their litigation efforts.
• Legal Research & Writing: Conduct and oversee legal research, the drafting of motions, briefs, and other legal documents. Review major pleadings, settlement and negotiation documents, and other significant pieces of legal writing. Ensure that all legal filings meet the highest standards of quality and accuracy.
• Training & Development: Organize and deliver training sessions for attorneys and advocacy staff. Promote continuous learning, legal education, and the development of best practices within the team.
• Compliance & Reporting: Facilitate compliance with all applicable laws, ethical standards, and organizational policies and funding compliance requirements. Assist in the preparation of reports for internal and external stakeholders, including funders and the Board of Directors.
• Grant & Fund Development Support: Work with the development team to align litigation work with funding objectives and grant advocacy goals.
• Community Engagement: Represent the organization in public forums, conferences, and meetings. Serve as a spokesperson for the organization’s advocacy efforts. Build and maintain relationships with community partners, advocacy groups, and other stakeholders.
• Private Attorney Involvement (PAI) Program – assist the PAI program with litigation support and recruitment.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school; admission to the Florida Bar. 

Experience: Minimum of 10 years of litigation experience, including significant experience in legal aid, public interest law, or civil rights litigation. Must have experience working with low-income, elderly, and non-English speaking populations. Previous leadership or management experience is strongly preferred.  

Skills:

• Strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills.
• Proven record in litigation and legal advocacy.
• Excellent leadership and team management abilities.
• Effective communication and public speaking skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups of people.
• Demonstrate commitment to social justice and the mission of legal aid.
• Ability to forge positive relationships with prospects and colleagues.
• Good organizational and people skills.
• Ability to work independently.
• Creativity and ability to maximize the use of existing resources.
• Familiarity with electronic document tracking.
• Ability to use various technologies effectively, including Microsoft Suite (Word, Ex