Pre-Litigation Associate Attorney

A law firm seeks a Pre-Litigation Associate Attorney to join its Fort Lauderdale, FL office in a full-time capacity. The ideal candidate will assist with community association and consumer-protection matters before cases proceed to court. This role offers health insurance and paid time off, and provides a supportive environment that values work/life balance and professional development.

Duties

• Conduct initial client interviews and gather pertinent facts for community association, foreclosure, and consumer-protection matters

• Draft and send pre-suit demand letters, notices of default, and collection correspondence under supervision

• Review association governing documents, contracts, and applicable statutes to identify potential claims or defenses

• Perform legal research on relevant Florida statutes (e.g., foreclosure statutes, FDCPA, and HOA regulations) to support strategic recommendations

• Negotiate payment plans, settlement terms, and dispute resolutions with homeowners, vendors, and opposing counsel

• Prepare and file basic pleadings, such as notices of lis pendens or preliminary motions, when escalation to litigation is necessary

• Coordinate with senior attorneys on case strategy, drafting memos that outline risk assessments and suggested next steps

• Maintain organized case files, track deadlines, and ensure timely follow-up on outstanding client or opposing-counsel actions

• Communicate routinely with clients, board members, and insurance carriers to provide updates on case status and anticipated timelines

• Collaborate with support staff to assemble documents for potential foreclosure filings or contested hearings

Requirements

• 0–2 years of experience practicing law; background in community association law, foreclosure, or FDCPA cases is preferred but not mandatory

• Active Florida Bar membership in good standing

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex legal concepts to nonlawyers

• Strong work ethic, sound judgment, and a creative approach to problem solving in pre-litigation contexts

• Proven organizational skills, attention to detail, and capacity to prioritize multiple matters in a fast-paced environment

• Ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively with senior attorneys and support staff

Education

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school

Certifications

• Licensed in Florida (Florida Bar admission required)

• Any additional certifications in real estate or consumer protection law are a plus, but not required

Skills

• Legal research: proficiency with Westlaw, LexisNexis, or similar databases to identify controlling authority and emergent case law

• Drafting: ability to prepare clear, persuasive demand letters, notices, and basic pre-suit pleadings

• Negotiation: skill in facilitating settlement discussions, mediating disputes, and drafting settlement agreements

• Analytical thinking: the capacity to synthesize statutory requirements, governing documents, and case facts into actionable recommendations

• Interpersonal communication: building rapport with homeowners, board members, and other stakeholders while maintaining professionalism

• Time management: tracking deadlines, calendaring statutes of limitations, and ensuring prompt follow-up on tasks

• Technology: comfortable using case-management systems, document-management platforms, and standard office software (Word, Outlook)

Benefits

• Health insurance

• Paid time off