Paralegal

Job Description

Job Description

Esperanza Immigrant Rights Project, a program of Catholic Charities of Los Angeles, Inc., is a non-profit law firm which provides community education and legal representation to immigrant adults, families, unaccompanied minors, individuals with mental health issues, and in cases involving crimmigration. Esperanza has proudly provided legal services to immigrants and their families in Southern California for over 15 years. More information is available at

The individual provides substantive legal and administrative support and assistance to attorneys engaged in direct representation and community education. The Paralegal will be responsible for preparing applications with clients and gathering and organizing supporting documents for submission to US Citizenship and Immigration Services, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Executive Office for Immigration Review, the Board of Immigration Appeals, or state courts as needed. Additionally, the Paralegal will conduct community education classes as needed, and interview potential clients to assist attorneys in determining eligibility for immigration legal rights and benefits. The Paralegal will work with clients and their families to gather documents needed for representation and directs individuals whom Esperanza attorneys cannot assist to resources that could assist them. The Paralegal will provide support to attorneys in creating and properly maintaining client files and field phone calls from potential clients and their families.

Responsibilities:

• Provide substantive case support through working with clients to gather evidence, complete legal forms and applications, and compose court motions for submission to Immigration Authorities and State Courts.
• Ensure proper client file creation and maintenance. 
• Conduct community education classes and client intake. 
• Assist attorneys with scheduling and court filing deadlines.
• Provide additional administrative support as needed.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field or at least 5 years of related experience.
• Paralegal certificate, prior work as a paralegal, or relevant paralegal-type coursework highly desirable.
• Proficiency in oral and written Spanish required.
• Experience working in a legal office, especially with immigration and/or criminal law preferred.
• Experience working with immigrant communities preferred. 

This role is hybrid

Catholic Charities offers a wide range of employee benefits to support the total wellness of its employees. Our competitive package provides the flexibility to select the benefits that best meets the employee’s needs. Benefits are effective the first of the month following 30 days of employment.

• Medical, Dental & Vision
• Life Insurance
• Retirement Plan to include 401a/employer contribution only and 403(b)
• Supplemental Insurance (life, Accident, disability insurance, etc.)
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Care Spending Account Reimbursement accounts (HAS)
• Vacation days – 12 days per year
• Sick time – 10 days per year
• Short- and Long-Term Disability
• 13 holidays per year for regular f/t & p/t employees
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Cell Phones for those working in Shelters or with Clients outside of the office 
• Employee Recognition - Annual Staff Appreciation Day Event
• Free Parking