Staff Paralegal (Batavia)

About the role

Neighborhood Legal Services, Inc. (NLS) is seeking a mission-driven Staff Paralegal to join our Batavia Office. The Staff Paralegal will screen individuals and provide follow-up services and referrals as needed, provide community education, and provide limited legal advice and counsel under attorney supervision.

Responsibilities

• Screen and interview applicants for assistance; review client eligibility, case priority and case acceptance criteria; determine whether to accept case; provide legal advice, counseling or other brief service under the supervision of an attorney during intake interview.
• Provide legal advice and counsel and extended services on eligible matters in accordance with agency protocols and under attorney supervision.
• Triage and refer matters to appropriate legal units or outside agencies, when needed.
• Legal Assistance and Representation. Handle assigned cases and projects under supervision of an attorney consistent with Bar Rules and LSSP standards for representation.
• Maintain adequate caseload of administrative cases as assigned, including both routine and major cases, consistent with level of experience; attend to cases on a timely basis; keep clients notified of progress; maintain case files in accordance with program file maintenance policy; close cases promptly upon completion of representation.
• Support attorneys by providing legal assistance and representation in specific cases including contact with client; locating, interviewing and preparing witnesses to testify; factual investigation such as obtaining documents, photographs and other evidence; performing legal research; drafting discovery, pleadings and other legal documents; analyzing, summarizing or indexing litigation documents; preparing charts, tables and other demonstrative evidence for trials; negotiating with unrepresented adverse parties such as landlords, merchants, social workers and public agency employees.
• Maintain docket and calendar; prepare periodic case reports as required; participate in case reviews scheduled by Supervising Attorney.
• Participate in client advocacy projects, development of self-help remedies and other impact litigation, community legal education, community economic development, legislative and administrative advocacy, outreach and other available forms of advocacy.
• Develop a working knowledge of all NLS practice areas and stay up to date on relevant legal changes and resources.
• Maintain a trauma-informed and culturally competent approach when interacting with clients in distress or crisis.
• Participate in ongoing training and supervision to ensure quality and consistency of service delivery.
• Participate as assigned in the operation of volunteer attorney programs, including recruit and train volunteers; conduct intake, prepare, assign and track cases; coordinate staff support to volunteers; develop and maintain quality control system; help develop relationships with private lawyers and organized bar; and coordinate staff and volunteer components of program.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, or Associates degree in Paralegal Studies, or equivalent experience in legal services, social services, or crisis intervention.
• Experience working with vulnerable populations and knowledge of community resources.
• Self-motivated and dependable.
• Demonstrated ability to quickly learn and communicate complex legal information clearly and empathetically.
• Strong verbal and communication skills for client intake, client follow-up and attorney interface.
• Strong writing skills.
• Proficient in computer systems, data entry, and ability to learn new case management and call center software.
• Ability to multitask and manage a fast-paced environment with professionalism and empathy.
• Willingness to work as a team member and contribute to the efforts on any case.