Paralegal - Intake and Reception

Job Description

Job Description

BARGAINING UNIT POSITION DESCRIPTION
PARALEGAL

Purpose of the job:  To provide uniform, high-quality service to client applicants and to support staff attorneys in the provision of legal services.

Work environment:  Work is performed in the office setting, in administrative agencies, and in the community.

Reports to Executive Director or other designated manager.

Essential job functions

Telephone intake of potential clients, identifying their legal problems and determining their eligibility for service.

Assemble client information in documents or pleadings appropriate to the client’s case.

Negotiate on behalf of eligible clients with landlords, government agencies, utility companies and others, as necessary.

Represent clients at administrative hearings, including assembling evidence, interviewing and preparing witnesses, securing expert testimony, presenting evidence at the hearing, cross-examining opposing witnesses, and drafting memoranda of law.  Conduct appeals as necessary.

Assist LAS attorneys in preparation of cases as needed and as directed.

Design and implement community legal education activities, including workshops, pamphlets, and presentations to groups in the community.

Improve skills and knowledge of legal issues in his/her specialty area(s) by regularly reading legal material and participating in training events.

Become familiar with and develop working relationship with social service agencies and governmental agencies which offer services to LAS-eligible clients.

Maintain accurate and complete files.  Prepare such reports and complete such forms as are required by program policies.

Participate in program activities such as case reviews, unit meetings, and staff meetings.  Participate in statewide activities, including coalitions and statewide training events.

Perform other duties commensurate with the Paralegal duties outlined above at the direction of his/her immediate supervisor.

Qualifications
Must have demonstrable commitment to understanding and addressing issues of low-income constituents.

Must have Bachelor or Paralegal degree or comparable education (law school course work or law degree) and/or comparable work experience. 

Must have skills to use office technologies, including case management software.

Must have strong interviewing and client counseling skills and have a commitment to public interest work.

Must be able to balance administrative and client advocacy responsibilities.

Must be able to operate a motor vehicle, hold a valid driver’s license, and be able to be insured under the Legal Aid Society auto insurance policy.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:  

The Legal Aid Society values a workforce reflective of our community.  We strive to create an environment welcoming to all individuals. We seek to ensure that no person employed by LAS will encounter discrimination on the basis of age, color, disability, sex, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, Veteran’s status, or any personal or background-related characteristic unrelated to job performance.

If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Kristie Clark, Director of Administration View phone number on ziprecruiter.com or View email address on ziprecruiter.com.  

Other: 

The statements contained in this job description reflect general details necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility.  It should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements.  Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods or to otherwise balance the workload.

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and three references through the applicant link found at