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 Advocacy 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.