Paralegal- Statewide Expunction

$36,500 - $36,500/Yr

Legal Aid Of Northwest Texas - McKinney, TX

Full-time - Entry Level

Remote - McKinney, TX

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas (LANWT) is seeking a dedicated and proactive Paralegal for the Statewide Expunction Project. This full-time position is available immediately and offers a hybrid work environment across multiple locations in Texas, including Dallas, Fort Worth, Denton, McKinney, Lubbock, Amarillo, Midland, and Odessa. The ideal candidate will have a strong commitment to public interest law and will work under the direct supervision of licensed attorneys to provide high-quality legal services to low-income individuals across 114 counties in North and West Texas. As a paralegal, you will be responsible for assisting clients who meet LANWT's priority criteria, providing paraprofessional legal services in civil and family law cases. Your role will involve conducting client intakes, drafting legal documents, filing pleadings, and maintaining organized case files. You will also participate in outreach efforts to educate clients and community groups about legal services and assist attorneys in representing clients effectively. This position requires a detail-oriented individual who can manage multiple tasks while adhering to the ethical standards set forth by the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct and the American Bar Association. In addition to your legal responsibilities, you will be expected to develop specialized knowledge in your assigned areas, stay updated on legal developments, and maintain a working knowledge of relevant laws and procedures. You will also have opportunities for professional development through in-house training programs and staff meetings. This role is crucial in ensuring that LANWT continues to provide essential legal services to those in need, and your contributions will directly impact the lives of low-income individuals seeking justice.

Responsibilities

• Assist clients under the supervision of licensed attorneys according to LANWT's policies and procedures.
• Provide paraprofessional legal services in civil, family, and other cases.
• Participate in outreach and community legal education efforts.
• Conduct client intake by answering calls and screening applicants.
• Investigate and develop assigned cases, including conducting interviews.
• Draft pleadings, orders, letters, and other legal documents.
• File legal papers at the courthouse or through e-filing.
• Maintain accurate and organized records and files for cases.
• Develop specialized skills and knowledge in assigned areas of law.
• Translate for clients who speak a different language, if applicable.
• Report caseload statistics and activities to supervisors regularly.
• Travel to administrative agencies as needed for case responsibilities.

Requirements

• Associate's degree and paralegal certification preferred.
• Prior legal services or public interest experience preferred.
• Detail-oriented, organized, and self-motivated.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to interact professionally with individuals at all levels.
• Strong computer skills, particularly with Microsoft products.
• Ability to work independently and exercise good judgment.
• Fluency in Spanish, both verbal and written, preferred.
• Ability to engage in occasional work-related travel.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in public interest law or volunteer work serving low-income individuals.
• Knowledge of social service agencies and resources for clients.

Benefits

• Dental insurance
• Life insurance
• Retirement plan
• Paid vacation and holidays
• Health insurance