Description

Crossroads For Florida Kids is hiring a full-time Staff Attorney to join our team. This role blends direct representation with volunteer support and helps us expand high-quality, trauma-informed advocacy for youth in Hillsborough County.

Please see the position description below for full details. If you’d like to learn more or be considered, please contact Scott Tolliver, Executive Director, at [email protected].

Staff Attorney – Position Description

Status: Full Time, Exempt, In-Person, 40 hours/week (At-Will Employment)
Salary: $85,000 annually, paid biweekly
Reports to: Executive Director
Location: Tampa, Florida

Overview

Crossroads For Florida Kids provides high-quality, trauma-informed legal representation to children involved in Hillsborough County’s dependency, delinquency, criminal and other legal proceedings. Our volunteer-driven model ensures each child has a stable legal team and a consistent advocate who understands their goals, needs, and strengths. The Staff Attorney expands this capacity by providing direct representation, supporting volunteer attorneys, and strengthening the systems that allow Crossroads to serve more youth with dignity and care.

Position Summary

The Staff Attorney is a full time attorney responsible for a balanced caseload of direct representation, volunteer support, and early stage casework. This role enhances organizational capacity by ensuring consistent courtroom coverage, improving volunteer onboarding, maintaining accurate case records, and strengthening relationships with the judiciary and legal community.

Key Responsibilities

Direct Representation (Approximately 50%)

Direct representation includes cases where the Staff Attorney is one of the assigned attorneys and works in partnership with volunteer attorneys, often serving as the experienced attorney on the team.

• Serve as lead attorney on an appropriate mix of youth-related cases, including dependency and delinquency matters.
• Conduct client meetings, home visits, and trauma-informed interviews to understand each child’s goals and circumstances.
• Draft and file motions, pleadings, and legal memoranda.
• Maintain accurate, timely case notes, documents, and updates in the case management system.
• Collaborate with assistant public defenders, case managers, GALs, clinicians, and community partners to support holistic advocacy.

Volunteer Attorney Support & Onboarding (Approximately 30%)

These responsibilities apply to cases led by volunteer attorneys, where the Staff Attorney is not one of the assigned attorneys of record but provides guidance, support, and continuity.

• Assist with onboarding newly recruited volunteers, including orientation, shadowing, and early case support.
• Provide case support on select volunteer-led matters to ensure volunteers feel supported and confident.
• Provide legal research, case strategy consultation, and ongoing guidance to volunteer teams.
• Proactively reach out to volunteer attorneys to gather updates, offer support, and ensure continuity of representation.
• Attend staffings and court dates to support volunteers and strengthen relationships with judicial partners.
• Help develop legal training ideas, CLE content, and practice resources for volunteers.

Program Development, Outreach & Organizational Support (Approximately 20%)

• Attend court hearings to increase referrals and strengthen Crossroads’ presence, including dependency and delinquency hearings.
• Assist with on-call coverage, including short-notice needs for hearings or emergencies.
• Participate in community and legal events to speak with attorneys about Crossroads and grow the volunteer base.
• Contribute to data collection, grant reporting, and internal evaluation.
• Prepare weekly status reports to the Executive Director summarizing case progress, key developments, and completed projects.
• Support organizational initiatives that enhance capacity, quality, and volunteer engagement.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Duly licensed by The Florida Bar as an attorney in good standing.
• Commitment to child-centered, trauma-informed advocacy.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to manage a dynamic caseload with competing deadlines.
• Some experience in dependency, delinquency, or related public interest practice required.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with attorneys, volunteers, and community partners.

Work Environment & Schedule

• Full-time, exempt position requiring 40 hours per week.
• In-person role in downtown Tampa.
• Local travel within Hillsborough County is required.
• Office space provided, including a parking place close to the Hillsborough County Courthouse.

Compensation & Benefits

• $85,000 annual salary, paid biweekly.
• Gas stipend for work related travel.
• Professional liability insurance coverage provided.
• Florida Bar dues, HCBA dues, and membership in related professional organizations covered.
• 15 days PTO annually, plus court holidays.
• Eligible employer for federal Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
• Opportunities for professional development, CLEs, and training.
• Supportive, mission-driven environment with opportunities to build expertise, lead volunteer teams, and shape program growth.