Temporary Paralegal - Wildfire Relief for Preventing and Ending Homeless Project (PEHP)

Description

For nearly 50 years, Bet Tzedek Legal Services has provided high-quality, free legal services to Los Angeles’ most vulnerable residents. In that tradition, Bet Tzedek is seeking a paralegal to join our Preventing and Ending Homelessness Project (PEHP). The Preventing and Ending Homelessness Project (PEHP) provides a wide array of legal services to housed and unhoused persons, in collaboration with homeless service providers. These services range from eviction defense to disability rights’ advocacy to reentry services. This position requires an individual with exceptional communication skills and sensitivity to the needs of community members who are vulnerable and often marginalized in our society.

This position is eligible for Bet Tzedek Legal Services’ hybrid/remote workplace designation. At the discretion of the immediate supervisor, the employee may be required to work in the office or other locations to meet workload/business obligations. This requirement may be on a temporary or ongoing basis.

Requirements

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

·       Complete client intakes;

·       Support a high-volume caseload that may include delivering advice and counsel in various legal matters under the supervision of an attorney;

·       Prepare and file court documents under the supervision of an attorney;

·       Assign staff for client follow-up, including scheduling callers for legal clinics;

·       Assist with in-person intakes to unhoused individuals and individuals at imminent risk of homelessness (local travel required);

·       Support attorneys with discovery requests, including assisting with drafting, serving, and preparing responses to interrogatories, requests for production, and requests for admissions, as well as helping attorneys arrange for depositions;

·       Maintain well-organized digital case files and accurate case statistics;

·       Lead on updating and maintaining the PEHP intake and screening guide;

·       Prepare 1-page monthly reports on community trends observed during intake interviews with tenants, unhoused communities, people living with disabilities, seniors, the reentry population, undocumented, immigrant, and low-income communities;

·       Perform administrative and clerical duties such as communicating with clients, calendaring, e-filing, and opening and closing digital case files; and

·       Other assignments as deemed appropriate.

QUALIFICATIONS:

·       A paralegal certificate/degree in paralegal studies from an ABA-approved institution OR bachelor's degree and at least 1 year of law-related experience under the supervision of an attorney who has been an active member of the California bar for the preceding 3 years (required);

·       Fluency in written and spoken English (required);

·       Fluency in written and spoken Spanish and ability to translate between English and Spanish (strongly preferred) (eligible for translation salary supplement);

·       Proficiency with internet and web-based applications (required);

·       Proficiency with MS Office, electronic case management and document management systems, legal research databases, and attorney filing services such as Lexis/Nexis, Westlaw, Legal Server, Net Documents, Adobe Pro, and OneLegal or Janey & Janey) (strongly preferred);

·       At least 2 years of law office experience supporting multiple attorneys (preferred);

·       Thorough knowledge of legal terminology, court rules, and procedures (preferred);

·       Experience with state court systems, including state court e-filing systems (strongly preferred);

·       Knowledge and experience in landlord-tenant law, eviction defense, or similar practice areas related to housing or homelessness (preferred); and

·       Ability to travel independently throughout Los Angeles County for required client work and outreach and education events (required);

·       Valid California driver’s license (strongly preferred);

·       Demonstrated commitment to Bet Tzedek’s mission to provide free legal services to those who need them most (required); and

·       Demonstrated commitment to applying principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion in performance of job duties (required).

HOW TO APPLY:

·       Submit letter of interest and resume to bettzedek.99.B3A@applynow.io (Subject: “Paralegal - PEHP”) or Click “Apply for this job” on the job posting and follow the instructions. Please no phone calls.

Note: All positions are subject to funding; ongoing funding or employment cannot be assur