Paralegal

Paralegal Job Description

Our mission at Utah Legal Services (ULS) is to provide high-quality civil legal aid without cost to people who are unable to afford legal representation or are facing disadvantages, ensuring meaningful access to justice, and promoting education, stability, safety, and protection. Equal Justice Under Law is one of our nation's most basic principles. However, economic realities often leave these promises unfulfilled. This is where ULS comes in. Since our inception as a nonprofit in 1976, we remain committed to making equal justice a reality by providing free services, in civil legal matters. More than 70 attorneys and legal professionals, working remote and in person, deliver client services from four regional offices in Salt Lake City, Ogden, Provo and St. George. Join our team and help us level the playing field for low - income Utahns, ensuring everyone has a voice in the legal system.

As a Senior Paralegal in ULS's Criminal Expungements Unit, the position provides ethical and competent legal support to clients throughout Utah who have low-income or special vulnerabilities. The role supports meaningful access to equal justice through intentional excellence, high-quality legal work, and compassionate client service.

Primary duties and responsibilities include providing legal support on active cases, working directly with clients, collaborating with assigned attorneys, maintaining accurate timekeeping, and complying with applicable rules, laws, regulations, ULS guidelines, and LSC requirements. The position also includes regular communication with the manager, as well as helping guide and mentor team members. As a Senior Paralegal, the role involves managing an active caseload while providing high-quality legal services and contributing to the effectiveness and development of the team.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Paralegal

• Attend and assist with team meetings that promote discussion about administrative issues, legal skills, and professional development.
• Assist with providing substantive training and coaching in basic litigation skills to develop paralegal and prepare them for casework, hearings, and trial.
• Engage in active team building and create a positive work environment.
• Participate as a member of the hiring committee as requested by the HR Director.
• Provide coaching and mentoring to staff, as invited by management.

Case Management and Legal Work

• Use the ULS case management system, LegalServer, to bill time, manage clients and track case related tasks and deadlines for timely communications, services, and representation.
• Follow case handling protocols and best practices.
• Support a ULS attorney by maintaining an average caseload of 60-120 cases based on the level of service and your other workload and duties.
• Regularly and strategically review case status and tasks, updating as needed.
• Review cases for Case Service Report (CSR) compliance and then properly close cases.
• Actively meet with your assigned attorney to do case reviews and to make sure cases are proceeding timely.

Additional Tasks

• Maintain relationships with current community partners and develop new relationships that will further ULS's mission and aid in improving the legal services we provide. This may include serving as a member of a Utah State Bar or Court Committee, as an officer of the Paralegal Division or Affinity Group, or other committee as approved by the Director of Community Engagement and a member of the ULS Executive Team.
• Attend ULS staff meetings.
• Complete appropriate continuing education and certification requirements such as continuing legal education (CLEs).
• Participate in and develop community engagement efforts including at clinics, community education classes, and outreach to further ULS's mission and maintain relationships with community partners and stakeholders.
• Train and oversee volunteers, as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills and Abilities

• A strong commitment to assisting people with low incomes and special vulnerabilities and promoting meaningful access to civil legal justice
• Excellent interpersonal abilities.
• High verbal and written communication skills
• High level of adaptability and ability to manage stress.
• Self-motivated, dependable, detailed, and accountable.
• Commitment and adherence to strict confidentiality rules.
• Work experience in one of the following legal areas is preferred: domestic law, housing, consumer protection, debt defense, public benefits, Native American law, or migrant worker law.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a broad range of diverse people, ability, culture, and ethnic background to maintain good relationships.

Qualifications

• Must be able to pass a Utah Criminal Record background check.
• Admission to the Utah State Bar Paralegal Division (or the ability and plan to apply as soon as possible).
• Possess extensive legal experience (often 5 + years).
• Demonstrate the ability to lead, supervise, and motivate others.
• Ability to analyze complex situations and make sound decisions to benefit ULS and our clients. Knowledge of or experience with Utah's criminal record expungement process is preferred.

Job Factors/Physical Requirement

• Must have a reliable mode of transportation. Occasional travel required as needed.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk working on a computer. In person at a ULS office, a minimum of one day per week.

Hourly Rate

• Paralegal range $24 - $28

FLSA Status

• Non-exempt, full time

Reports to

• Managing Paralegal

Benefits

At Utah Legal Services, we prioritize the well-being and success of our employees, recognizing that a harmonious work-life balance is paramount. We empower our team members to tailor their schedules with flexible hours, allowing them to effectively manage their professional commitments while nurturing personal and familial needs. In our commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, we embrace a hybrid or remote work across all positions.

Moreover, we understand that comprehensive benefits are essential in fostering a thriving workplace culture. That's why we offer an extensive benefits package, including:

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Employer-paid vision insurance
• Generous paid-time off (21 days per year) and increases on your first anniversary
• 13 paid holidays
• 403(b) retirement plan with a monthly employer match, plus automatic monthly contributions
• Employer-paid short and long-term disability coverage
• 4 weeks paid parental leave
• Employer monthly stipend to assist staff with benefit cost.

By prioritizing employee well-being, offering competitive benefits, and embracing a flexible work environment, we strive to create a workplace where every team member can thrive both personally and professionally.

Utah Legal Services believes that equal opportunity of all employees is important for the continuing success of our organization. In accordance with state and federal law, this nonprofit will not discriminate against an employee or applicant for employment because of race, disability, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or veteran status in hiring, promoting, demoting, trainings, benefits, transfers, layoffs, terminations, recommendations, rates of pay, or other forms of compensation.