Paralegal- Disaster Legal Services Hybrid/Remote

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

POSITION:                Paralegal (Full-Time Position)

CLOSING DATE:     Position Immediately Available and Closed When Filled

LOCATION:              Hybrid/Remote – McKinney, Texas

OVERVIEW: Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas (LANWT) seeks a dynamic, self-starting paralegal who has vision, initiative, and a demonstrated commitment to public interest law to fill a paralegal position in McKinney.

DESCRIPTION: LANWT is a non-profit public interest law firm that provides high-quality free civil legal services to the low-income community in 114 counties in North and West Texas. Located in McKinney, the McKinney office delivers civil legal services in the city and in the surrounding rural counties.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The paralegal will primarily support and help coordinate the firm’s response to disasters throughout the service area. The paralegal will work with the Disaster Supervising Attorney, the Disaster Response Team (DRT) and participate in local, regional and statewide efforts or initiatives in disaster response. The paralegal, under the direct supervision of licensed attorneys, will primarily support current and future disaster related cases, wherever disaster occurs. In addition, the paralegal will complete other assigned tasks and projects with the expectation that the work is completed in accordance with LANWT's policies and procedures and attorneys' responsibilities under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct, Texas Lawyers Creed and the American Bar Associations Standards for Providers of Civil Legal Services to the Poor. Other responsibilities include:

• Provide paraprofessional legal services to eligible clients in civil, family and other cases in accordance with the program's mission and principles of advocacy, other program guidelines, and under the direct supervision of an attorney, according to the Rules of Professional Conduct.
• Participate in outreach and community legal education to clients and community groups to provide them with legal information and assistance and to build a strong positive working relationship between the program and the client or group.
• Assist attorneys or other advocates in representing clients or working with community groups.
• Conduct intake by answering and returning applicant and client calls; conducting initial client screening, referring clients who are ineligible for LANWT service to other resources or providers, and creating electronic client files.
• Investigate and develop cases and projects assigned, including conducting necessary interviews.
• Make and follow up on the referrals of clients to appropriate alternative or additional sources of assistance.
• Draft pleadings, orders, letters, memos, and other written materials relating to assigned cases or projects.
• File legal papers/pleadings at the courthouse or through e-filing, including setting hearing dates, and interacting with court staff, opposing parties and clients.
• Maintain accurate, complete, well-organized records and files regarding cases and projects assigned.
• Develop specialized skills and knowledge in assigned areas and remain current on new developments in that area.
• Translate for clients who speak a different language than their advocate (if applicable).
• Seek and accept supervision and guidance from supervising attorneys on cases and projects assigned.
• Participate in in-house training programs and staff meetings and activities.
• Report caseload statistics and other information regarding his/her activities and advocacy to the immediate supervisor, Director of Litigation and/or Deputy Director on a regular basis or as requested.
• Travel to administrative agencies and elsewhere in connection with the above responsibilities.
• Develop a working knowledge of the law commensurate with his/her level of experience in areas of principal concern to LANWT’s clients. Similarly, develop legal skills (such as fact gathering, research, writing and negotiation) and a knowledge of procedure (such as administrative and court rules of practice, discovery and pleading).
• Keep apprised of changes in the law and other issues that may affect LANWT's client population, and advise management and other staff of such issues.
• Develop a knowledge of, work with, and make referrals to social service agencies and other agencies that can help LANWT's clients.
• Represent clients at hearings and other applicable guidelines governing advocacy by non-attorneys.
• Provide LANWT's Administrative Office with information on the nature and extent of services he/she provides.
• Performance of any other duties which may from time-to-time be assigned by the Supervising Attorney, Deputy Director and Chief Executive Officer.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associate’s Degree and paralegal certification is preferred.
• Fluent in Spanish – both verbal and written is preferred.
• Prior experience working on landlord-tenant, public benefits, FEMA or of the disaster related cases.
• Candidate must be detail oriented, organized and self-motivated.
• Ability to establish priorities and meet deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to interact professionally and courteously with individuals at all levels.
• Excellent computer skills with use of Microsoft products preferred.
• Ability to work independently and exercise good judgment while maintaining client confidentiality, integrity, and discretion in the performance of all duties.
• Ability to engage in occasional work-related travel.
• Excellent attendance record.

SALARY: Current entry-level salary is $36,500 per year. The salary for the successful candidate may be significantly higher based on the candidate’s years of experience. The paralegal is a non-exempt employee subject to state and federal wage and hour laws.

BENEFITS: Excellent benefits package that includes paid vacation and holidays; a retirement plan; health, dental, and life insurance.

Please submit a cover letter expressing interest, a resume, and a list of professional references during the application process.

LEGAL AID OF NORTHWEST TEXAS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

VETERANS ENCOURGAGED TO APPLY