Legal Assistant

$56,160 - $60,320/Yr

The Family Center

Part-time - Entry Level

Social Assistance

About the position

The Family Center (TFC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing behavioral and mental health services, as well as social and legal services, to families affected by illness, crisis, and loss. TFC has developed innovative programming and research to address the complex challenges faced by vulnerable New Yorkers and their families. The organization is currently seeking a Part-Time Bilingual Legal Assistant to join its Legal Wellness Institute (LWI). This institute aims to promote health and stability for low-income New Yorkers who are affected by serious illness and disability by offering representation in various practice areas, including Housing Law, Family and Matrimonial Law, Public Benefits and Healthcare Access, Lifetime and Future Planning, and Individual Rights. The Legal Assistant will play a crucial role in supporting the LWI's holistic, community-centered model, which is designed to meet the specific needs of its client population. Legal assistants will work closely with a collaborative team and will receive substantial mentorship and guidance. The position involves extensive orientation, ongoing training, and supervision, providing numerous opportunities for professional growth and development. TFC is committed to supporting its staff in this challenging work and encourages a healthy work-life balance and self-care practices. The role requires the Legal Assistant to assist with the provision of legal services to clients across all five boroughs of New York City. This includes participating in in-office client meetings and conducting home, hospital, and other offsite visits with clients. The Legal Assistant will also provide administrative support to LWI attorneys and advocates, which encompasses tasks such as letter drafting, document preparation, and maintaining client files. Additionally, the assistant will provide interpretation and translation assistance for Spanish-speaking clients, enroll new clients in the client management database, and assist with scheduling and intake processes. The position also involves interfacing with clients to assess ongoing needs and eligibility, as well as supporting funder audits and reports. Overall, the Legal Assistant will contribute to the mission of TFC by ensuring that clients receive the legal support they need in a compassionate and effective manner.

Responsibilities

• Assist with provision of legal services to clients in all five boroughs, including participating in in-office client meetings and home/hospital/other offsite visits with clients
• Provide administrative support to LWI attorneys and advocates, including letter drafting, document preparation, preparing mailings, maintenance and creation of client files, arranging for service of process, and filing in courts and agency offices
• Provide interpretation and translation assistance for Spanish-speaking clients and callers
• Enroll new clients in client management database, assist with ongoing maintenance of client management database, and assist with entry of attorney/advocate notes and time records
• Interface with clients to perform assessments of ongoing need and eligibility based on funder requirements
• Assist with scheduling client meetings and calls
• Assist with new client intake, provide referrals to ineligible callers
• Assist with funder audits, reports to funders, and funding applications
• Provide administrative support at legal clinics and educational presentations at locations throughout NYC
• Other duties, projects, and tasks as requested

Requirements

• Fluency in Spanish required
• College graduate; or high school graduate with two years of relevant work history
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Excellent writing, speaking, and organizational skills
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team setting
• Willingness to travel throughout NYC to meet with clients, file papers, etc.
• Must be available for in-person work in NYC

Nice-to-haves

• Experience working with individuals affected by mental and/or physical illness
• Experience working in a legal setting
• Experience with LegalServer and/or NYSCEF

Benefits

• Loan forgiveness