The Legal Aid Society has Paralegal I positions available to support the Civil Practice office citywide. The Paralegal I provides client services and ensures that clients seeking assistance receive access to available client services, or if applicable, referral to the appropriate outside agencies. In addition, the Paralegal Is handle a wide range of tasks that support the office. The Paralegal I may also have occasional duties at other Legal Aid Society offices or intake sites. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Data entry and file maintenance using a proprietary case management system, including: 
  • Open, update and close case files 
  • Maintain and update case details 
  • Scan and upload documents 
  • Initiate conflict checks 
  • Generating routine reports 
  • Conducting intake at a courthouse office 
• Responsible for record and file management, including archiving cases in Law Manager and managing off-site file storage 
• Mail Services: 
  • Scan and distribute incoming mail and manage the preparation and sending of outgoing mail 
  • Manage court-ordered service of documents via mail, email, and fax  
• Messenger assignments that include field delivery/pickups and service of legal papers 
• Providing oral and written translation and interpretation support 
• Support with client intake, including: 
  • Screening / referrals 
  • Assist with completing client intake forms and releases  
  • Register and schedule clients for appointments and interviews 
  • Intermediate conflict checks 
  • Unit Law Manager file maintenance and updates 
  • Refer clients, when applicable, to outside agencies and services 
• Office reception and switchboard coverage, providing general information and assistance to visitors, guests, clients, vendors, etc. 
  • Refer clients, when applicable, to outside agencies and services 
• Other job band functions as needed 

QUALIFICATIONS

Required qualifications:

• Eligible candidates must have at least one of the following: 
  • A high school diploma / GED  
  • At least 2 years of work experience 
• Strong writing, verbal, and organization skills 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite  
• Ability to learn and efficiently use new data management systems 
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills 
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively on a team 
• Ability to work flexible hours 
• Experience in and/or commitment to advocacy on behalf of low-income people is strongly desired 

Preferred qualifications:   

• One year of experience in a legal or other relevant work (paid or unpaid) environment is highly preferred 
• Some relevant college level work and/or paralegal training preferred 
• Licensed Notary preferred or willing to become licensed Fluency in Spanish or another language with the ability to provide oral and written translation and interpretation support 

SALARY AND BENEFITS 

The salary range represents a good faith estimate of the range we expect to pay for this role. The actual salary offered may vary depending on many factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, as well as collectively bargained salary steps for unionized roles. 

Salary Range: $53,295 - $81,795

The Legal Aid Society offers a generous benefits package including health insurance, paid vacation, disability, and life insurance, and more. Click here to read more about benefits. 

Higher Education and Loan Forgiveness 

The Legal Aid Society is a qualified employer for the purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness. This position allows an employee to take advantage of PSLF and other State and Federal loan forgiveness programs. Additionally, employees who are New York residents may be eligible for assistance from New York state to assist with loan repayments, depending on years of practice. To learn more, click the links below.  

studentaid.gov 

hesc.ny.gov/loan-forgiveness-programs 

WORK AUTHORIZATION 

All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship for a work visa or permit. We are currently unable to sponsor employment visas or permits. (However, for citizens of Canada and Mexico, LAS will provide a letter documenting employment status that is needed to obtain a TN visa.) 

HOW TO APPLY 

All applications must be completed online via the career portal. We do not accept emailed applications. Submit the following documents as a combined PDF: 

• Cover Letter
• Resume 

For technical difficulties or questions regarding this posting, please email jobpostquestions@legal-aid.org. 

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY 

As an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer, The Legal Aid Society prohibits discriminatory employment actions against and treatment of its employees and applicants for employment based on actual or perceived race or color, size (including bone structure, body size, height, shape, and weight), religion or creed, alienage or citizenship status, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity (one’s internal deeply-held sense of one’s gender which may be the same or different from one’s sex assigned at birth); gender expression (the representation of gender as expressed through, for example, one’s name, choice of pronouns, clothing, haircut, behavior, voice, or body characteristics; gender expression may not conform to traditional gender-based stereotypes assigned to specific gender identities), disability, marital status, relationship and family structure (including domestic partnerships, polyamorous families and individuals, chosen family, platonic co-parents, and multigenerational families), genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, arrest or pre-employment conviction record, credit history, unemployment status, caregiver status, salary history, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION 

The Legal Aid Society is committed to a work culture of zealous advocacy, respect, diversity and inclusion, client-oriented defense, access to justice and excellent representation. We are dedicated to building a strong professional relationship with each of our clients (people), to understanding their diverse circumstances, and to meeting their needs. Our ability to achieve these goals depends on the efforts of all of us and our ability to build strong relationships with our colleagues. Every member of our community is expected to continuously learn about the dynamic, evolving, and emerging field of knowledge of identity, bias, and systemic forms of oppression and participate in productive efforts to dismantling bias in all forms.