Paralegal

Job Title Staff Paralegal

Classification Non-Exempt Professional, eligible for Collective Bargaining Unit membership

Reports to Unit Supervising Attorney

Supervises N/A

Summary of Responsibilities:

The Staff Paralegal will screen individuals and families and provide follow-up services and referrals as needed. The Paralegal may also represent clients in administrative appeals.

Essential Functions:

1. Intake. Screen and interview applicants for assistance; review client eligibility, case priority and case acceptance criteria; determine whether to accept case; provide legal advice, counseling or other brief service under the supervision of an attorney during intake interview.

2. Legal Assistance and Representation. Handle assigned cases and projects under supervision of an attorney consistent with Bar Rules and LSSP standards for representation. Maintain adequate caseload of administrative cases as assigned, including both routine and major cases, consistent with level of experience; attend to cases on a timely basis; keep clients notified of progress; maintain case files in accordance with program file maintenance policy; close cases promptly upon completion of representation.

3. Assist Attorneys. Help attorneys provide legal assistance and representation in specific cases including contact with client; locating, interviewing and preparing witnesses to testify; factual investigation such as obtaining documents, photographs and other evidence; performing legal research; drafting discovery, pleadings and other legal documents; analyzing, summarizing or indexing litigation documents; preparing charts, tables and other demonstrative evidence for trials; negotiating with unrepresented adverse parties such as landlords, merchants, social workers and public agency employees.

4. Teamwork. Work constructively as a team member with other NLS staff on advocacy projects consistent with program priorities.

5. Assist other Advocates. Provide advice, co-counseling, training and other informal assistance to other staff in areas of expertise; cover for other advocates when necessary.

6. Participate in Case Supervision System. Maintain docket and calendar; prepare periodic case reports as required; participate in case reviews scheduled by Supervising Attorney.

7. Participate in Client Advocacy Projects. Participate in client advocacy projects, development of self-help remedies and other impact litigation, community legal education, community economic development, legislative and administrative advocacy, outreach and other available forms of advocacy.

8. Manage Professional Development. Manage own professional development; regularly review appropriate legal periodicals and other materials; participate in continuing legal education and other appropriate training; develop specialty knowledge or areas consistent with level of experience; develop leadership role within program to contribute to meeting program priorities consistent with level of experience.

9. Be Involved in the Community. As assigned, create and maintain positive relationships with local client organizations, social service organizations, bar groups, governmental bodies and agencies and other community organizations, in coordination with the Supervising Attorney.

10. Support Volunteer Attorney Programs: Participate as assigned in the operation of volunteer attorney programs, including recruit and train volunteers; conduct intake, prepare, assign and track cases; coordinate staff support to volunteers; develop and maintain quality control system; help develop relationship with private lawyers and organized bar; and coordinate staff and volunteer components of program.

11. Other Responsibilities. Conform to the rules and responsibilities applicable to all employees and perform all other assigned tasks.

Core Competencies

• Strong personal work ethic and ability to organize time, manage diverse activities, and meet critical deadlines with minimal supervision;
• Excellent writing, editing, and proof‐reading skills, with ability to be detail‐oriented;
• Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to work collaboratively with a dynamic and multi‐sector team;
• Curious and self‐directed with an ability to anticipate client needs;
• Cultural humility in working with low‐income clients across the spectrum of diversity, including race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio‐economic status, immigrant status, religious identity, physical and mental disabilities, and limited English proficiency; and
• Familiarity with diverse communities is a plus.

Qualifications

• College degree, paralegal certification or equivalent experience required;
• Legal services background, or knowledge of general civil legal work;
• Experience working with vulnerable populations and knowledge of community resources; and
• Self-motivated and dependable;
• Excellent communication skills for client intake, client follow-up and attorney interface
• Excellent writing skills with attention to detail and proofreading for correspondence with clients and other law offices
• Understanding of the court filing system and its requirements
• Excellent organizational skills and calendaring awareness
• Document-drafting capability under supervision of staff attorneys for court filings
• Willingness to work as a team member and contribute to the efforts on any case
• Second language skills.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

• Work in an office environment including working at workstation, attending meetings;
• Traveling to meetings and hearings off-site;
• Use of computer and other office machines such as fax, photocopiers and telephones; and
• Ability to work in the evenings and weekends as required to serve clients.