Paralegal

SNOHOMISH COUNTY LEGAL SERVICES
HOUSING JUSTICE PROJECT

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Job Title: Paralegal, Housing Justice Project Appointed Counsel Program
Job Type: Full-time In-person
Salary & Benefits: Salary $48,000 up to $55,000 (depending on experience), medical/dental/vision available
Application Deadline: Open Until Filled
Start Date: Immediately

Overview: Snohomish County Legal Services (SCLS) provides free civil legal services to income eligible individuals and families in Snohomish County using a hybrid model of staff and pro bono attorneys outreach and education, counsel and advice, negotiated settlements, representation, and partnership development.

The Housing Justice Project (HJP) is a homelessness prevention program. Nationally recognized, HJP is the only court-based, housing-related legal services program in Snohomish County that provides direct, immediate, and real-time client representation to low-income residential tenants facing eviction in Snohomish County. Our HJP has expanded to add the Appointed Counsel Program (ACP, formerly Tenants’ Right to Counsel). We are seeking a paralegal committed to social justice and interested in helping people in their community by providing legal support to our Appointed Counsel Program (RTC) Attorneys.

The Paralegal will assist and support the Attorneys to meet the goals of the Court Appointed Program.

Reports to: Appointed Counsel Program Lead Attorney

Essential Paralegal Functions

• Prepare and manage a high-volume caseload.
• Develop and maintain relationships with opposing counsel, the court, and the community.
• Participate in specialized legal clinics, know your rights presentations, and other formal and informal opportunities for low-income tenants to access legal advice and representation; make referrals to other SCLS clinics and programs and other organizations to ensure low-income tenants have holistic access to legal representation and client services for all legal needs.
• Participate in specific and general program volunteer recruitment and CLE trainings.
• Provide attorney support to ACP staff attorneys.
• View docket daily and check for conflicts.
• Prepare, proof, and edit pleadings, correspondence, briefs, memos and other documents independently and consistent with attorney instructions;
• Legal research and writing
• Check/maintain potential client contact.
• Calendar and confirm court hearings and other dates.
• Manage attorney calendar and schedule.
• File pleadings and other legal documents with various courts.
• Add attorney time and HJP outcomes to client files.
• Maintain and search databases (Odyssey, LINX, JIS, etc.);
• Work with clients to gather and convey information, and ensure all relevant documents are brought to hearings.
• Prepare file for hearings or trials, to include organize exhibits, witness materials, the trial notebook, and all other supporting documents; coordinate trial logistics.
• Perform administrative functions for office, and at court, to organize and maintain client files, including scanning and filing documents into the client’s legal server file; perform word processing functions, perform filing, e-filing, service, working copies and calendar deadlines.
• Maintain relevant resources and update quarterly.
• Continue to expand legal knowledge in all areas, specifically related to tenant rights.
• Provide support at community outreach events.
• Perform other job duties as assigned.
• Be able to respond to short notice deadlines

Courthouse

• Open/close clinic.
• Intercept potential clients and conduct client interviews.
• Collect court pleadings and relevant documents.
• Provide administrative support for attorneys.
• Interact with court staff, opposing counsel, and sheriff’s department.
• Draft relevant pleadings (NOA, Limited Dissemination, Order, etc.).
• Make copies for opposing counsel, client and sheriff’s department, as necessary.
• File documents with the clerk’s office.
• Provide tenants with housing resources/exit packets.

Office

• Perform certain clerical duties: answer telephones, make appointments, take messages, and answer inquiries;
• Screen and conduct interviews with drop-in clients, clients referred by NJP/CLEAR/NJP-EPU, VOA- DRC, other community partners, determining eligibility for program services, and referral to community resources;
• Meet with clients to prepare answers or notice of appearances pre-eviction.
• Correspond with opposing counsel/party, as necessary.
• Interview client and draft necessary documents (limited dissemination, stay/vacate).
• Draft letters for clients with pre-litigation notices.
• Provide clients with relevant resources and packets (small claims, limited dissemination, stay/vacate)
• Provide court support for clients in Ex Parte (signing in, setting hearings).
• Assisting clients in serving documents on opposing counsel/party.

Tenants’ Rights Clinics

• Manage clinic and ensure correct legal issues are scheduled in legal server.
• Assist managing attorney in answering questions and printing relevant documents.
• Checking clients out after attorney advice and scheduling for follow-up, as necessary.
• Ensuring all drafted letters are mailed to opposing counsel/party.
• Follow-up with clients periodically after receiving correspondence from opposing counsel/party.

Other

• Work with community partners such as Everett Housing Authority, Housing Authority of Snohomish County (HASCO), and etc.
• Attend staff and department meetings;
• Attend various community homeless prevention events;
• Attend CLEs or training, as necessary;
• Arranging and coordinating optional HJP-related volunteer attorney out-of-court functions.

Experience and Qualifications

• Knowledge of Washington housing law, or a commitment to learn this specialized field.
• Litigation and direct client management experience preferred.
• Commitment to working directly with low-income clients, individuals from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds, survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault, or individuals from historically marginalized and oppressed communities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and LegalServer or other case management software.
• Strong organizational skills with ability to prioritize, coordinate and simultaneously maintain multiple projects with high level of quality and productivity
• Demonstrate attention to detail and ability to track and consistently meet deadlines
• High initiative self-starter with the ability to work independently and collaboratively with others
• Ability to analyze information quickly and work well in a fast-paced environment
• Possess creative and critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Strong communication skills

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described above are representative of those required by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions. Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time; interact with computer screens and manipulate essential computer components (i.e., mouse and keyboard). Mobility around the office, and abilities to bend/stoop, push/pull, and perform unassisted lifting consistent with the job duties are required.

COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate

As this position includes in-person work, proof of fully vaccinated or qualification for an exemption, in accordance with SCLS’s COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate policy adoption on September 24, 2021, is required. Personal attestation is not an acceptable form of verification of COVID-19 vaccination.

Compensation

Salary is based upon years of experience, with an annual salary range of $48,000 to $55,000. In addition, we offer paid time off, dental and vision options, and health benefits. Parking reimbursement. Some professional training and dues may be covered.

To Apply

For consideration, submit a letter of interest, resume, and 3 professional references to Jane Pak, Executive Director at janep@snocolegal.org. For additional information please send an email to the same address.

Work Remotely

• No

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $48,000.00 - $55,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Preferred)

Experience:

• Microsoft Office: 1 year (Preferred)
• Paralegal: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: Multiple Locations

Salary : $48,000 - $55,000