Paralegal Full-time Position

Paralegal (Full-Time) Hybrid
Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas (LANWT) is a non-profit public interest law firm that provides high-quality, free civil legal services to low‑income individuals and families in 114 counties across North and West Texas. Our mission is to ensure equal access to justice and improve the lives of low-income communities by providing high-quality legal representation, strategic litigation, valuable legal advice and meaningful collaborations, outreach, and community education.
LANWT seeks dynamic, self-motivated paralegals with vision, initiative, and a strong commitment to public interest law to join our team. We have multiple openings across various branch offices and practice areas throughout our North and West Texas service area. Depending on office needs, some paralegal positions function primarily as case handlers, carrying and managing their own caseload under attorney supervision, while others provide broader case support.
Candidates will be able to indicate preferred office location(s) and area(s) of interest during the application process.
Under the direct supervision and authority of a licensed attorney, the paralegal provides legal support and advocacy services in accordance with LANWT policies, the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct, the Texas Lawyer's Creed, and applicable ABA standards. A paralegal does not practice law independently. Depending on office needs and experience, some paralegals serve primarily in a case support role, while others serve as case handlers, managing their own caseload from intake through resolution within the scope permitted by law and under ongoing attorney supervision. Provide paraprofessional legal assistance to eligible clients in civil legal matters, consistent with program priorities and attorney supervision.
Serve, where assigned, as the primary case handler for designated matters, managing a caseload from intake through resolution under the supervision and authority of a licensed attorney.
Draft pleadings, orders, correspondence, and other legal documents; file documents in person or via e-filing; Support attorneys and advocates in client representation and community-based work, including participation in outreach and legal education efforts as assigned.
Develop and maintain knowledge in assigned legal practice areas and stay current on laws, procedures, and issues affecting LANWT's client population.
Participate in training, staff meetings, and supervision; Travel to courts, agencies, and community locations in support of casework.
Maintain a working knowledge of, and ensure compliance with, Legal Services Corporation (LSC) regulations, LANWT policies and procedures, and grant and funding requirements.
Paralegals may work in one or more civil practice areas, depending on office needs and candidate experience. Housing Law
Support case files involving habitability, repair-and-deduct remedies, and unsafe housing conditions.
Assist with subsidized housing and Section 8 voucher termination hearings, including document preparation and client communication.
Help clients complete fair housing discrimination complaints and reasonable accommodation requests.
Communicate with landlords, property managers, and public housing authorities under attorney direction.

Family Law
Assist attorneys representing survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in protective order proceedings.
Prepare pleadings and documentation for divorce, conservatorship, visitation, and child support matters.
Coordinate with domestic violence shelters and advocates to support client safety planning.

Assist attorneys in preparing defenses to debt collection lawsuits.
Help gather documentation for unfair and deceptive trade practices, identity theft, and predatory lending claims.
Support casework involving auto title loan and payday loan issues.

Employment, Including Tax Law
Assist attorneys with wage and hour claim documentation and evidence gathering.
Help clients prepare unemployment benefits appeals.
Assist low-income taxpayer clinic attorneys with IRS dispute documentation, including collections and Earned Income Tax Credit denials.

Support attorneys with SSDI and SSI application and appeal preparation.
Prepare clients and documentation for administrative hearings before the Social Security Administration and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
Help clients understand eligibility requirements for public benefits programs.

Assist elderly and low-income clients with gathering documentation for their property and clouded title matters.
Help prepare wills and other estate planning documents for attorney review.
Communicate with mortgage servicers and lenders under attorney direction.
Support casework involving wrongful foreclosure and mortgage servicing violations.
Help clients understand options to prevent tax foreclosure, including payment plans and exemptions.

Education and Health Law
Support case preparation for school discipline hearings, including expulsion and disciplinary placement matters.
Help clients navigate healthcare access and health insurance marketplace issues.
Assist with casework involving long-term care and nursing facility disputes.

Other General Civil Legal Areas
Provide paraprofessional support on additional civil legal needs identified within LANWT's service area.
Assist with disaster-related legal need casework as needed.
Support impact litigation and other strategic advocacy initiatives as assigned.

Spanish fluency (verbal and written), preferred.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and related computer applications.
Ability to work independently while exercising sound judgment, discretion, and confidentiality under attorney supervision.
Ability to manage an independent caseload, including tracking deadlines and case status, when serving as a case handler under attorney supervision.
Ability to understand, apply, and stay current on Legal Services Corporation (LSC) regulations, LANWT policies and procedures,