Paralegal, Preventing and Ending Homelessness Project

$60,538 - $64,697/Yr

Bet Tzedek Legal Services - Los Angeles, CA

Full-time - Entry Level

Remote - Los Angeles, CA

About the position

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 project aims to provide a wide range of legal services to housed and unhoused persons in collaboration with homeless service providers. 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. The essential duties of the paralegal include completing client intakes, supporting a high-volume caseload that may include delivering advice and counsel in various legal matters under the supervision of an attorney, preparing court forms and case documents, and supporting attorneys with discovery requests. The paralegal will also be responsible for filing court documents, maintaining well-organized digital case files, and conducting outreach and education efforts to various homeless service providers and individuals at imminent risk of homelessness. Administrative and clerical duties such as communicating with clients, calendaring, e-filing, and managing digital case files are also part of the role. Other assignments may be deemed appropriate as needed.

Responsibilities

• 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 court forms and case documents under the supervision of an attorney.
• 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.
• File court documents.
• Maintain well-organized digital case files and accurate case statistics.
• Conduct and assist with outreach, in-person intakes, and education efforts to various homeless service providers, unhoused individuals, and individuals at imminent risk of homelessness (local travel required).
• Perform administrative and clerical duties such as communicating with clients, calendaring, e-filing, and opening and closing digital case files.
• Other assignments as deemed appropriate.

Requirements

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

Nice-to-haves

• Fluency in written and spoken Spanish and ability to translate between English and Spanish (strongly preferred).
• 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).

Benefits

• 401(k)
• 403(b)
• AD&D insurance
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• A generous number of paid holidays, vacation, and sick days annually.
• Personal and floating holidays
• Compensatory time for exempt employees.
• 18 weeks of paid parental leave (after 1 year of employment).
• Medical, dental, vision, chiropractic and acupuncture coverage for employees and dependents, with office visit co-pay reimbursement for HMO enrollees.
• Life/accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, long-term disability insurance, and Employee Assistance Plan.
• Voluntary (employee-contributed) life/AD&D, accident, critical illness, hospital confinement, and pet insurance.
• Employer-contributed 401(k) plan.
• Employee-contributed 403(b) plan.
• Healthcare and childcare flexible spending accounts.
• Commuter transit and/or parking benefits.