Jacksonville Area Legal Aid (JALA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing legal assistance and advocacy for low-income individuals and families. We work to ensure access to justice and fair treatment in the areas of housing, consumer rights, family law, and other essential legal services.

JALA seeks an experienced family law attorney to provide civil legal services to veterans and active-duty service members in marital and family law matters. This attorney will be assigned to JALA’s Family Law and Victim Advocacy Unit and will work closely with our Veteran Services Unit. This is a full-time role representing eligible clients in matters such as dissolution of marriage, establishing and modifying child support, paternity, injunctions for protection, and related family law issues. The position combines direct client representation, community outreach, and collaboration with veteran-serving organizations to address legal barriers affecting military and veteran families.

The attorney should have experience working with veterans/active-duty military and understand military/government retirement and related financial documents. The attorney should be able to work with clients who have experienced or are currently experiencing trauma, as many veteran clients come to us with PTSD-related issues that are often compounded by or catalysts for their legal issues. Those with prior military service will be strongly considered, though such service is not required.

What you get when you come to JALA

JALA is the premier litigation legal aid firm in the Southeastern United States. We are mission-driven, and our team makes a difference in our community. As a JALA employee, you can expect immediate hands-on experience interviewing and counseling clients as well as litigating cases in Federal and State court. Staff can expect to take on challenging cases for our at-risk clients while being mentored and supported in taking on such cases. While there is a premium placed on initiative and self-motivation, you can expect to be supervised by lawyers who are recognized as subject matter experts in their field (JALA is the only law firm in Florida with two Florida Bar Consumer Protection Lawyers of the Year on staff, for example). Our lawyers and paralegals regularly serve on local and statewide committees, and our lawyers have gone on to become hearing officers, magistrates, judges, and administrative law judges. In addition to the opportunity to litigate early, our lawyers and staff are trusted as professionals - we have adopted a hybrid work environment (although not all positions are able to work remotely). Regardless of what others may prefer, we embrace diversity and inclusion as a way to ensure we are the most prepared to offer the best and highest level of representation for clients, as this is what they deserve from us.

Salary/Benefits

Salary commensurate with experience - $75,000 minimum, if two years of experience. Sign-on bonus. Benefits package includes, but is not limited to, hybrid work model, medical, dental, vision, long-term disability insurance, group life insurance, 401(k) (match 100% of deferrals up to 6% of compensation), generous leave policy (13 paid holidays plus 22 personal leave days in first year, one-month sabbatical every four years), and membership in Access Perks, a private discount network.

To apply, submit a resume, a minimum of two professional references, and salary requirements.

All employees must clear Florida’s Level II background screening. Information on the background screening process can be found at https://info.flclearinghouse.com/.

Jacksonville Area Legal Aid is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace.

• Conduct applicant intake, interview clients, and assess legal needs, eligibility, and case priorities.

• Provide legal advice, brief services, and full representation in marital and family law matters.

• Advise clients regarding family law issues unique to military and veteran populations, including military retirement benefits, deployment-related custody matters, and other service-related legal concerns.

• Represent clients in administrative proceedings, negotiations, mediations, hearings, and trials.

• Conduct legal research and prepare pleadings, motions, discovery requests, briefs, and other legal documents.

• Maintain accurate case files, records, and data in accordance with organizational policies and grant requirements. Timely compliance with grant requirements.

• Collaborate with veterans’ service organizations, military support agencies, courts, social service providers, and community partners.

• Assist in the planning of and participation in outreach, education, and legal clinics for veterans, service members, and military families.

• Participate in training programs, staff meetings, and professional development activities.

• Maintain current knowledge and understanding of applicable case law, statutes, and court rules.

• Supervise support staff.

• Work both in-office and remotely. (Unit meetings are in person for Duval staff.)

• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor and/or management team.

• Member in good standing of The Florida Bar.

• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in marital and family law.

• Experience working with veterans and/or active-duty service members.

• Strong advocacy, litigation, negotiation, research, and writing skills.

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and client counseling abilities.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.

The mission of Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Inc. is to provide high-quality legal assistance to low-income and special needs groups, to empower them to accomplish energetic and affirmative advocacy, all to alleviate the circumstances, incidents, and causes of poverty and discrimination.

Developed during the Great Depression and subsequent recession of 1937, the organization that has become Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Inc. JALA was born when a group of Jacksonville Bar attorneys banded together to provide legal services to those in need.

Called different names over the years, including Duval County Legal Aid Association, it was officially named Jacksonville Area Legal Aid in 1973. The organization achieved 501(c)3 status in 1976. JALA now serves 17 counties of North Florida, including Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Nassau, St. Johns, Suwannee, Taylor, and Union.