Member Services Paralegal

Casa&Co. - Baltimore, MD

Full-time - Entry Level

Baltimore, MD

Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers

About the position

The Member Services Paralegal at CASA Inc. plays a crucial role in supporting the Legal Department by providing general, case, and project support. This position is integral to CASA's mission of advocating for and working alongside members from diverse communities, including Black, Latino/a/e, Afro-descendant, Indigenous, and Immigrant populations. The paralegal will engage in a variety of tasks that include conducting initial client intakes, assessing cases, and assisting clients with legal issues related to housing, employment, and immigration. The role requires a proactive approach to problem-solving, as the paralegal will be expected to creatively assist clients through legal work, research, writing, advocacy, negotiations, and referrals. In addition to direct client support, the paralegal will provide administrative assistance to the legal team, which includes managing case files, ordering office supplies, and coordinating volunteers. The position also involves compiling and publishing information in areas of expertise, conducting community education sessions, and maintaining documentation of all client interactions. The paralegal will support CASA's power-building activities by referring clients to the community organizing department and collaborating with other departments to achieve organizational objectives. This role is designed for individuals who thrive in a fast-paced environment and are committed to social justice and community empowerment. The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of legal ethics, excellent computer skills, and the ability to communicate effectively in both English and Spanish, with French being a plus. The paralegal will also be responsible for compiling monthly reports, participating in annual planning, and providing high-quality customer service to all members and partners. This position is not only about legal support but also about fostering relationships and building a network of partners to assist clients effectively.

Responsibilities

• Solve problems presented by CASA members and others identified by the organization as high-priority or urgent.
• Conduct initial client intake and case assessment; work creatively to assist clients, including assisting with legal work, research, writing, advocacy, negotiations & referrals.
• Under supervision of CASA attorney, assist clients with resolving legal issues in the areas of housing, employment and/or immigration, and other related tasks.
• Administratively support legal team by ordering office supplies, coordinating volunteers, case file management, accounting, and publicizing legal services.
• Compile and publish information in one or more areas of expertise by writing referral guides, updating on-line guides and writing community education publications.
• Develop and cultivate network of partners who can provide case assistance, including by creating and maintaining an up-to-date referral list for clients, and by serving as a liaison between CASA and relevant partners.
• Conduct community education 'Know Your Rights' (KYR) sessions and community outreach.
• Maintain documentation of all client contact and service provision.
• Support CASA's power building activities, including by referring clients to CASA's community organizing Department and collaborating with other Departments to achieve organizational objectives and advance relevant campaigns.
• Attend on-going training workshops relevant to work.
• Compile monthly reports with statistics and written narrative explanations of activities and results.
• Participate in annual planning; compile and report statistic and narratives regarding clients/cases; identify spokespeople for campaigns and media.
• Provide high quality customer service, interactions and responses to all members, partner organizations, vendors, visitors, callers and any other individual or organization you may encounter in your role with CASA.
• Support the development and expansion of CASA membership program and services.
• Maintain a positive attitude.
• Other duties assigned by supervisor related to position.

Requirements

• Bachelor degree or minimum of two years of experience performing related work.
• Knowledge of legal ethics rules, including the boundary between legal assistance and legal advice, and consistent adherence to those rules.
• Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Word and Excel and other databases, and willingness to learn other needed computer programs.
• Bilingual English/Spanish (written and spoken). French is a plus.
• Excellent customer service skills and ability to handle changing situations and walk-in and phone requests.
• Quick learner, able to prioritize tasks in stressful situations.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Experience providing legal services to immigrant or low-income communities.

Nice-to-haves

• Familiarity with Salesforce is a plus.