Paralegal Advocate I

Position Summary: New Hampshire Legal Assistance (NHLA) seeks a full-time Paralegal Advocate I. The Paralegal Advocate I will have an initial emphasis on work in NHLA’s Domestic Violence Advocacy Project (DVAP), but may eventually work in other practice areas (such as housing or public benefits). NHLA offers comprehensive training for new Paralegal Advocates I, who work as part of collaborative attorney-paralegal teams. The Paralegal Advocate I will have direct responsibility for litigation support on domestic violence and family law cases, including extensive interaction with clients, all under attorney supervision. Extensive travel throughout New Hampshire is a requirement of this position (mileage reimbursement at the IRS rate is provided). NHLA offers hybrid (remote/in person) work arrangements to interested staff, typically permitting up to two days per week of regularly scheduled remote work after an initial orientation period. Staff members are provided with the necessary equipment (such as laptop computers) to work from their homes. The desired start date for this position is as soon as possible, ideally by October 26, 2026. The application process and timeline are described below. NHLA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies strictly with all federal and state employment laws, as well as our anti-discrimination policy. Position Duties: Work as part of the DVAP team to provide legal services to low-income clients in domestic violence protective order and family law cases. Provide litigation support under attorney supervision, including extensive client interaction; gathering information and documents; preparing draft correspondence and court papers; and maintaining client files. After building relevant expertise, participate in community engagement efforts such as educational presentations and webinars. Learn and implement NHLA’s holistic, trauma-informed approach to civil legal aid. Position Qualifications and Competencies: At least 2 years of post-high school education and/or work experience. Prior law-related work experience and/or law-related education, and/or prior work experience providing services to people with low income, and/or prior work experience related to domestic violence, preferred. Ability to travel routinely within New Hampshire. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally both orally and in writing. Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Ability to speak and write another language which is widely spoken in New Hampshire, is a plus. Additional compensation is available for staff members with second language skills who are willing and able to serve as interpreters/translators on occasion. Current technology skills and enthusiasm for utilizing technology to facilitate legal work, including familiarity with Office 365 and Adobe. Commitment to and interest in expanding knowledge about access to justice and poverty. Depending on qualifications and following extensive training, the Paralegal Advocate I may transition to a Paralegal II role, which carries responsibility for handling a caseload with attorney supervision. At least two years of attorney-supervised legal work, plus either a four-year college degree or a two-year college degree in a law-related field, is a requirement for the Paralegal II position. Position Salary/Benefits/Location: This is a full-time position. Full-time is defined as 37.5 hours per week. This position is considered non-exempt for the purpose of federal wage/hour law. The anticipated salary for the position depends on prior law-related work experience, expected to range from $53,500 (for candidates with 0 years of prior law-related work experience) to $58,237 (for candidates with 5 years of prior law-related work experience). Higher salary is available to candidates with more than 5 years of prior law-related work experience. The position is eligible for the NHLA employee benefits package including medical/dental insurance, retirement plan, and generous paid time off. This position could be based in NHLA’s Manchester, Claremont, or Berlin offices, depending on the candidate’s preference. Application Process and Timeline: NHLA will appoint an Interview Committee including 2-3 NHLA staff members and the NHLA Human Resources Manager. NHLA occasionally asks people who are not NHLA staff members to serve on an Interview Committee. We expect the Interview Committee to conduct first interviews with no more than 5 candidates. Interviews are 45 minutes in duration and typically scheduled between 9 AM and 5 PM on weekdays. We can accommodate other scheduling preferences if necessary. Candidates selected for first interviews will receive a list of the interview questions at least 24 hours in advance. No other questions will be asked at the interview, but it is possible that not all questions will be asked if we run out of time. We will leave at least 10 minutes for candidate questions at the conclusion of the interview. For candidates who speak a language in addition to English, a portion of the interview may be conducted in that language, with interpretation provided for other participants as needed. The Interview Committee will recommend no more than 2 finalist candidates to the Executive Director for second interviews. Second interviews are 30 minutes or shorter in duration and typically scheduled between 9 AM and 5 PM on weekdays. We can accommodate other scheduling preferences if necessary. The Executive Director may conduct the second interview alone or with 1 other NHLA staff member, who may be a member of the Interview Committee. Questions are not provided in advance for second interviews. We will leave at least 10 minutes for candidate questions. After the second interview, we will ask a single finalist candidate to provide 3 references and a writing sample of no more than 10 pages. We will contact the 3 references as quickly as possible, asking all references the same questions. Candidates with disabilities who wish to request reasonable accommodations should they be offered the position are invited to request them, in writing, at this stage of the process. We may also ask candidates to complete a brief writing assignment designed to test writing skills, intended to take no more than one hour to complete, for which candidates will be compensated $50.00. Based on information gathered in the entire hiring process, we will make an offer to a single candidate with salary and benefits information. The offer is contingent on completion of a criminal record background check as well as a records check through the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of Adult and Aging Services State Registry. Not all criminal convictions are disqualifying. Once a candidate has accepted the position, we will notify all candidates who had a first interview (or a first and second interview) that they have not been selected for the position. Please note that NHLA does not expect to receive thank you notes from candidates selected for first or second interviews and does not place any weight in the hiring process on receiving (or not receiving) thank you notes. New Hampshire Legal Assistance: NHLA is a statewide nonprofit law firm that helps low-income and older individuals and families with civil legal problems that impact their basic needs, such as housing, economic security, and safety from violence. As a civil legal aid provider, we represent clients in all of New Hampshire’s state and federal courts, as well as before administrative agencies. We advocate for low-income and older people in the New Hampshire Legislature and offer training and education to our client communities as well as fellow service providers. NHLA is a cornerstone New Hampshire nonprofit in our 55th year of operation. #J-18808-Ljbffr