Paralegal Employment and Consumer

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POSITION: Paralegal Employment and Consumer

DAYS/HOURS: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM 4:30 PM with one unpaid hour for lunch, 35 hours per week (with occasional evening trainings and clinics)

REPORTS TO: Employment Staff Attorney, Elizabeth Mason

LOCATION: 7 Winthrop Square, Floor 2, Boston, MA 02110

STATUS: Full-time,Non-Exempt

SALARY: $55,182.40

• Hybrid- This position is currently hybrid, necessitating in person office attendance for 2 days weekly

SUMMARY OF POSITION:

The employment and consumer unit paralegal supports units that address wage debt and abusive debt collection as well securing unemployment benefits for those who are unemployed through no fault of their own. VLP is an innovative partnership between state attorneys general, the legal aid community, and the private bar to create legal clinics to assist victims of wage theft and debt collection abuse.

The employment and consumer paralegal will continue and expand this work by supporting the organization’s attorneys and the pro bono panel in maintaining these clinics and expanding the organization’s unemployment insurance program. The day-to-day duties of this position support aspects of the units' legal and administrative functions, case management for the units, and other duties as necessary to carry out the organization's mission.

REQUIRED EDUCATION/TRAINING/KNOWLEDGE:

• Completion of bachelor’s degree and/or Paralegal Certification program
• Fluency in English – oral and written

PREFERRED EDUCATION/TRAINING/KNOWLEDGE 

• Prior experience working in legal aid, the court system, or a law office that handles civil cases
• Prior experience with an organization serving low-income populations
• Knowledge of Federal and MA laws surrounding Consumer and Employment Law (wage and hour and unemployment insurance)
• Bilingual

REQUIRED MENTAL/PHYSICAL ABILITIES/SKILLS:

• Heavy use of computer programs and applications
• Ability to communicate in person, by telephone, and by computer
• Ability to travel to various locations in Greater Boston
• Strong oral and written communication skills in English and Spanish
• Ability to collect and present information
• Careful attention to detail
• Reliable and organized
• Customer service-oriented
• Ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize, and meet deadlines
• Compassionate and able to work with low-income populations and be sensitive to their legal needs and socioeconomic status
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office and Zoom
• Ability to be flexible and work independently
• Ability to navigate through the Internet, research, and locate and interpret information
• Able to learn new computer software and systems quickly

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

• Develop a deep understanding of the organization’s programs and projects and substantive areas of law, especially those substantive areas of law in which you will be assisting clients
• Handle day to day case management /administrative functions
• Attend weekly legal clinics and case review meetings
• Transcribe/document case updates and next action steps during meetings for cases
• Conduct pre- and post-clinic case preparation in an electronic case management system
• Attend and present at trainings
• Assist in managing and assigning work to interns
• Provide intake support at call center
• Conduct intake interviews with clients and draft referral memos to pro bono attorneys
• Other program duties as assigned

Volunteer Lawyers Project is committed to a diverse work environment and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our ideal candidates are respectful of an inclusive work environment. VLP strives to ensure that those working in our organization reflect the communities we serve.