Senior Paralegal - Housing and Homelessness Prevention

About Public Law Center

Founded in 1981, The Public Law Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing free legal services to low-income residents and other nonprofits in Orange County. Our services include counseling, individual representation, community education, and strategic policy advocacy and impact litigation to challenge societal injustices.

About the role

PLC’s Housing and Homelessness Prevention Unit provides high quality direct representation, in addition to coordinating and supervising pro bono representation, of tenants in cases involving unlawful detainer, discrimination, subsidized housing disputes (including housing vouchers), affordable housing advocacy, and other issues related to housing in Orange County. The Unit also participates in community education, local and statewide advocacy, and community-based intake clinics.

The Public Law Center is seeking a highly skilled Senior Paralegal to support the Housing and Homelessness Prevention Unit with case management, legal research, and mentoring and training. This role requires expertise in litigation support, training and mentoring staff, and ensuring efficient legal operations. The Senior Paralegal will collaborate with attorneys, other paralegals/administrative staff, clients, and external partners to provide quality legal services.

What you'll do

• Conduct in-depth legal research, draft memoranda, and analyze case law to support attorneys in litigation, including eviction defense, discrimination, habitability, subsidized housing cases, and other issues arising in landlord/tenant relationships.
• Manage discovery processes, conduct investigation and fact gathering (including housing inspections), perform legal analysis, draft pleadings, coordinate filings, mail and serve documents, and prepare attorneys for court proceedings.
• Monitor changes and ensure compliance with laws and regulations affecting housing legal services.
• Prepare legal correspondence, internal reports, and other resources with precision and confidentiality.
• Involvement in internal office initiatives and external events and activities.
• Prepare and conduct trainings and community presentations and otherwise assist with or coordinate community outreach and education efforts.
• Interview clients and act as a point of contact for clients and pro bono counsel, ensuring professional and effective communication.
• If bilingual, assist with interpretation and translation for staff and volunteer attorneys as needed.
• Provide approved legal information or advice under attorney supervision.
• Maintain and organize legal documents, case files, time records, and client information, including case notes, ensuring data integrity and accessibility.
• Represent clients in administrative hearings, where permitted by law, such as voucher or subsidized housing terminations.
• Provide guidance to other paralegals and administrative assistants, contributing to their professional development.

Qualifications

• Education: Minimum high school diploma or GED; depending on level of education, must have matching experience or education to meet definition of paralegal pursuant to California Business & Professions Code section 6450(c).
• Experience: Minimum 5+ years of paralegal experience, with a strong background in litigation.
• Skills:
  o   Proficiency in legal research databases (Westlaw)
  o  Strong writing and analytical skills
  o   Knowledge of litigation procedures
  o   Knowledge of landlord/tenant and other housing law is a plus
  o   High attention to detail and ability to manage multiple cases effectively
  o   Bilingual English/Spanish or English/Vietnamese a plus
• Must be fully vaccinated against